“I would like to thank National Center for Youth Issues for assisting the Atlanta Public School System in developing and expanding our character education and life skills development initiatives. As a consultant to the district, I assist the Safe and Drug Free Schools, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Family Literacy Programs by identifying research-based resources, vendors, and contractors whose services can produce measurable results. Our long standing relationship with your organization has led us to trust the products and services we receive from you.
With so many children today lacking in basic core values, our educators and school detectives are now better equipped to meet the challenges of developing good and productive citizens. Thanks for all your support and the expeditious processing of our resources to the schools.'
Anthony Otey
Atlanta Public Schools
21st Century Program Manager
'There is no such thing as value-free education; we convey moral lessons through everything we do. I frequently recommend Kids with Character, an excellent tool for teaching elementary students such values as courage, honesty, respect and self-discipline. I commend National Center for Youth Issues for producing this fine resource.'
Dr. Thomas Lickona
Executive Director of the Center for the 4th and 5th R’s
(Respect and Responsibility)
'National Center for Youth Issues is dedicated to helping young people make the right choices and do the right things in such broad areas of life as responsible citizenship and leadership. These life qualities are the result of teaching and learning just as surely as are the basic skills of reading, writing and computation.'
Dr. Arliss L. Roaden
Board Member
President Emeritus of Tennessee Technological University and
Executive Director Emeritus of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
'Your materials, including the video The Boy Who was Swallowed by the Drug Monster, demonstrate a creative and effective way to reach people about the devastating consequences of substance abuse.'
General Barry R. McCaffrey
Former Director, President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy
'For years I have supported this organization and watched it grow. National Center for Youth Issues uses solid business practices coupled with a lot of heart for the mission of building character in young people. That mission is important to America’s future greatness. National Center for Youth Issues has earned my respect and recommendation.'
Joe M. Rodgers
former Ambassador to France
'This program tries to give the children a sense of moral responsibility and a sense of self-worth…As many of us know who work with children on a daily basis, these moral and self-esteem issues are not addressed in many families.'
Nora R. McNeill
First Grade Teacher
Consider Jordan*, an elementary school student in Michigan, who was bullied by seven classmates. His life was changed by Broken Toy, a video that addresses the bullying of a schoolboy who seems 'different' to his classmates.
Jordan’s school social worker, Jane*, writes 'Jordan shared with me that he did not want to come to school. His day began being tormented on the school bus, in the hallway, in the classroom, in the bathroom, in the lunch room…There was no safe place for Jordan at school except my office.'
Jane tried to intervene a number of times, using counseling and educational materials to encourage the bullies to stop. She writes, 'They reverted back to their bully behavior once they left my office. The bullies seemed to take pride in their bully behaviors… 'Then I decided to show the seven bullies Broken Toy…Jackpot! There was finally a connection between their behavior and their actions as bullies.'
Jane observed how Broken Toy helped create empathy among the bullies, and stopped a pattern of bullying that can lead to more violent behavior. Jane concludes her letter saying, 'Thank you for caring enough about the problem of bullies to provide the video Broken Toy. It has made a difference in the life of Jordan.'
