Look Them in the Eye

They Know We See Them - Really See

Someone asked me recently how we can take a teen who's been through unimaginable pain and guide them toward a life that has structure, meaning and accomplishment. I answered, "You look people in the eye, and you see them. You see their vulnerability, but you also see what they're capable of becoming if given the chance. And you respond to that." It's that level of engagement that we at JP believe lifts the heart of a broken young person and gives them the courage to put forth the effort to overcome their challenges. What we see in that individual, we nurture step by step on a daily basis, meeting them where they're most comfortable - on their smartphones. We engage them using a mobile, scaleable, digital and evidence-based method where teens know they are seen. We get to know them. They're not one of many. They can't hide. And they know deep-down they're going to be led wisely and carefully to fulfill their own unique dreams and goals. It's this approach, this standard of excellence, that we're privileged to share with as many teens and their program leaders as we possibly can.

A Glimpse at Our Secret Sauce

So how do we what we do? We keep it simple. We take time to get to know each youth. We keep it doable and relatable. We have built-in accountability. We monitor their progress over time.

Here's a step that's so easy, yet the impact always surprises us. You do it. Visualize you're doing the Next Step navitent (navigational content) or actually do it by going to the black box below.

This is Day 6 of the online Respect course, called "ROAR."

Step 1.

Today's exercise should be pretty fun for you.

To begin, take a moment - a full 60 seconds - to get quiet. When you feel calm, go to Step 2.

Step 2.

Feelings of self worth are the basis of respect as we've said before.

Your task is to approach one person during the next 24 hours.

Purposefully select people you have made negative assumptions about, such as that they were better than you in some way or worse than you in some way.

Now put aside your assumptions. The point is to work on your business, not theirs.

When you have chosen the individual, look the person in the eye, smile casually and genuinely. Now say hello. That’s all.

SMILE. SAY HELLO. MOVE ON.

Are you willing to accept this challenge?

Step 3.

If you answered, yes, then share your experience with a friend or mentor after you complete the exercise.

Interact with this step

Advocate for Impact

Please forward our newsletter to any individual, foundation, non-profit or foster/at-risk teen program who may like to incorporate our step-by-step, relational approach into their program. The goal is that they, too, make significant, long-term impact, taking best practices and making them affordable, relatable and doable, removing burdens by adding simple, provable methods.

What's Your Pain

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Jeremiah's Promise is on a mission to Love, Challenge & Equip Foster & At-Risk Teens for a Better Future.

Jeremiah's Promise, Inc. | 274 Redwood Shores Pkway #117 | Redwood City, CA 94065 US

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