Be an Agent of Change Jorge Ruiz May Arizona Correctional Educators Symposium

Arizona Youth Partnership Strengthening Families Program Strengthening Families Program is designed for both parents/caregivers and their youth, ages SFP 10-14, an evidence- based program, is a parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum that Prevents teen substance abuse and other behavior problems Strengthens parents/youth communications skills Increases academic success in youth. Prevents violence and aggressive behavior at home and at school SFP gives families tools and strategies to strengthen the family unit, teaching them the importance of implementing love and limits in a family. The World Health Organization named Strengthening Families Program For Parents and Youth the #1 prevention program out of 6,000 programs analyzed for long-term effects on substance use and misuse.

We are currently working in 46 different communities, in 28 School districts across 11 counties in the state of Arizona. We partner with communities in order to cultivate Healthy foundations for youth and to promote strong families. azyp.org

AzYP’s History in Santa Cruz County Assigned closely to Patagonia Arizona in Santa Cruz County. Facilitated communication, leadership, volunteerism to grades 6 – 12. Increased family bonding, equipped youth with strategies to follow their goals and dreams through the education of Strengthening Families (10-14) Partnered with local school district, government and community leaders to open the Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center.

Play with Purpose As the Youth Development Coordinator, I was commissioned to play games…games with purpose!! …Which I learned from Dr. Gale K. Gorke (galegorke.com) I put my spin on the games and you will have the opportunity now to play along, too.

Attitude Change Game Change should not affect your attitude; it is within you to have your attitude affect change.

All We Have is Today Game The attitude we have today is almost always affected by what may or may not happen tomorrow

“Why my story?” My story is truly a story of hope….one of determination…NEVER GIVE UP! As I share my story with youth, they can identify with some of the difficult situations I encountered and through that, it opens them up to sharing which then leads to healing, progress, and ultimately giving them hope…something many of them have never felt. I realize there are many more tragic and difficult stories out there than mine. I have heard many such stories first hand that still end up in a story of success. All the stories that include Faith, Hope and Love seem to always have the same common thread: redemption.

Identity My identity while I lived in Mexico was that of a young man that loved school and was a pretty good soccer player. I came to the United Stated and circumstance, fear and the people around me changed my identity to a wetback, beaner and wacho.

Our Youths’ Identity I don’t believe that 10 year old girls and boys have thoughts of being great drug dealers, crack heads, prostitutes, etc.. If so what is triggering those thoughts. What goals and dreams have been crushed by fear in the lives of our youth and the lives of all people? As you consider this questions and thoughts keep in mind that a human brain is not fully developed until the ages of The last part of the brain that develops is the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is in charge of abstract thinking, thought analysis and responsible for regulating behavior.

Hope Cultivating an atmosphere of hope is superior to all other preventative strategies. Every layer of society should be willing to work together to bring hope.

Love I believe we all have innate talents and gifts to share with this world. We should all spend some time in this life seeking them out and helping others find their gifts. Love is a choice, not an emotion. When I was in High School a friend of mine chose to help me find my gift.

Fear Perhaps there is no such thing as lazy youth or lazy people. Maybe laziness is the result of fear. What if we were not afraid? What would our life look like? What if you youth are not lazy, rather scared. If so what can we do to encourage them to move beyond fear?

Time What if our youth understood that time is a form of currency that is far more important and priceless than any currency the world can offer? What if youth learned to invest time into positive things instead of wasting time thinking about negative outcomes?

Metanoia The word “repentance or repent” is used by some religious folks almost as condemnation. The word for repentance in Greek is “Metanoia” it means to change the way you think. Change the way you think and you will change your life.

Choices, Outcomes and Failures There are no failures only outcomes. Every outcome will teach you valuable lessons, and in time those lessons will get you closer to the outcome you desire. Some say that a person is defined by the sum of all their choices. I like to tell youth that they are not their bad choices. They are great people making bad choices. Do not blame anyone for the bad choices you make. Take responsibility for your actions and you will keep the power to right all the wrong choices you’ve made.

Faith What do Faith and Fear have in common? – Most youth answer me; “they both start with an F” which is true. Both Faith and Fear want you to believe something that is not there. Faith says “ go, is there, find it, believe!” Fear says “ yeah but, what if, don’t even try” Live by FAITH, not by fear!

Faith - Hope - Love Do not give up. Go after the one in front of you don’t look back to the ones that were not ready to change their mind. You have Hope to give. Some youth that need that hope will maybe take it, take it at a later time in their lives or refuse it entirely. Regardless of their reaction to hope, YOU still have hope to give.

Thank you “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him.… We need not wait to see what others do.” - Gandhi

My Story If you would like to hear more of my story or if you need more information regarding Arizona Youth Partnership, please feel free to contact me at the following or cell: – – (520)