Curriculum & Training

Topics include:

Identity • Friendships • Bullying •Stereotypes • Relationships • Peer Pressure • School Success

98% OF STAFF report that the training made them better able to provide a safe space for youth.

“The stories make my students more comfortable opening up about their experiences. It helps us address and deal with problems that come up in their journey through middle school and beyond.”

—Group Leader, Bronx SONYC Program

Topics include:

Identity • Friendships • Bullying •Independence • Family • Persistence • Dating • Fighting Sexism and Racism

Topics include:

Creating Support Networks• Persistence• Utilizing Strengths• Managing Stress• Overcoming Academic Challenge

“If I hadn’t been willing to try something new…I wouldn’t have made the friends I have now.”

— Jose Polanco, from his story “How I Overcame Shyness”

Topics include:

Resisting peer pressure• Benefits of moderation (rather than all-or-nothing thinking)•  Maintaining responsible boundaries with others• Impact of society and prejudice on decision-making• Advocating for change

Topics include:

Overcoming Challenges• Identity Development• Encountering Diversity• Planning for the Future• Becoming Independent

WINNER: BEST CURRICULUM (Grades 9-12)

—Association of American Publishers

“The relevance of your resources catches my students’ attention. Reading the stories has brought me closer to them and their lives outside of school.”

— Elise Baranowski, NYC ELA teacher

Topics include:

Emotions• Relationships• Gender Identity• Sexual Orientation• Sexual Harassment • Stereotypes

Real Talk is an evolution of our award-winning positive masculinity and girls’ empowerment programs, Real Men and Real As Me. Real Talk is a more gender-inclusive examination of relationships, gender identity, and sexuality intended for mixed-gender groups. It is especially affirming to trans and non-binary youth.

Topics include:

Body Image• Relationships • Changing Our World• Speaking Out

WINNER: 2017 REVERE Award “Beyond the Classroom: RELATE” (Social Emotional Learning Resources)
—Association of American Publishers

“I have run three groups. They are going great! These are the stories of many of the young women in our care. Thank you again for this awesome resource!”

— Juvenile Counselor

Topics include:

Family • Relationships • School Success• Career Readiness• Identity • Peer Pressure • Difficult Feelings

WINNER: BEST CHARACTER EDUCATION CURRICULUM
—Association of American Publishers (First Edition)

“By being honest about their struggles, these young men… show others what it takes to change.”

— Geoffrey Canada 

Topics include:

Celebrating Our Culture• Exploring Identity• Communicating Across Differences• Fighting Stereotypes

“Before I had shunned my culture, but now I went out of my way to reconnect with it.”

—Winnie Kong, from her story “Raising My Voice Against Racism”

Topics include:

Achieving Balance• Independence• Finding the Right Fit

“I wish someone had told me not to take so many courses my first semester and that the course load is different than it is in high school.”

— Gabby Felitto, age 19, from her story “How I Survived My Psychology Lecture Class”

Topics include:

Learning on the Job• Getting Along• Managing One’s Life• Planning for the Future•Effective Communication

On My Way was especially effective for youth who would be the first in their family to attend college.

—Study of 1,500 participants

78% of teens said the program helped them understand workplace expectations.