The Curriculum
The I’m Saving Myself curriculum addresses out of wedlock pregnancy, STDs, AIDs, and lack of self-esteem among teens. The program promotes abstinence-only before marriage as the expected social standard for all teens and society. The key unique and engaging element of the ISM program
is music.
The curriculum is divided into 15 sessions which explore different topics related to abstinence. Each one incorporates music as the core component.
The music engages the students in ways traditional educational methods cannot, and as a result retention rates are high.
The curriculum promotes skills that nurture the whole person and build self-esteem. ISM teaches that the essence of a person comes from within and explains that when an individual doesn’t feel good about him/herself, that person is more likely to make negative choices, succumb to peer-pressure,
and suffer depression. Through music, journaling and life enrichment lessons, the ISM curriculum identifies and enhances the students’ talent and self-confidence as well as builds critical life skills including emotional, social, academic, and cognitive skills. The weekly lessons include self-affirmations, vocabulary words, journaling, and listening and creating music that sends positive and self-affirming messages about postponing sexual activity until marriage.
The “Celebrate Life” Culmination Program.
The Celebrate Life culmination program occurs at the end of each three-month session. This performance gives students an opportunity for their voices
to be heard amongst their peers and the community as a whole. During the classroom sessions, participants create poetry and expressive writings that are put into a music format, and songs are composed to accompany the writings. Upon completion of the 3-month session, a production/show of the music is staged and the youth dance, sing the newly created songs, and participate in dramas that are relative to the music. These productions not only showcase local talent, they provide a means for youth to gain confidence and build self-esteem. The culmination show gives each student the opportunity to perform and express what he or she has learned in the class sessions. This tour travels to other cities and states.
Music Camp:
ISM program provides a music camp in partnership with the Hope VI project. The theme of the camp is the origin of music, and participants explore the music genres of jazz, step/swing, blues, R&B, and rap/hip hop. Seventy youth ages 8-18 met for five weeks at the newly remodeled Virginia Edwards Center in Benton Harbor. The center has a recording studio so the youth have the opportunity to learn the technical side of music by producing live recordings and through exposure to professionals in the field. The intensive music camp also provided the opportunity for youth to see behind the scenes of the music industry. The activities promote self-discipline because participants began to understand the amount of work, time, and practice it takes to produce records.
The Abstinence Only (AO) Clubs
This teen group meets twice per month to discuss the abstinence message and provide support to one another in their commitment to abstinence.This group also includes a choir, which performs around the state of Michigan. This group provides ongoing support for teens who have chosen abstinence. The AO Club is a collaboration with the Salvation Army and 11 area church youth groups.
Throughout the year the Abstinence Only club meet every other Saturday. Sessions included open discussions, daily journal writing, and choir practice. This environment is aimed at providing a space for youth to be supportive of each other and their positive, yet sometimes difficult abstinence choices.
The AO Choir had the opportunity to sing for Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan. On January 7, 2007, over 60 members of ISM proudly sang at a prayer ceremony celebrating the inauguration of Governor Granholm. The event, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was attended by 1100 government officials, dignitaries, and other well-wishers. The AO Choir was the only youth group invited to perform. On March 24, 2007, The AO Choir performed at the 1st Annual College Expo at Lake Michigan College.
College Expo
Over 200 high school students and parent from schools throughout Berrien County attend the Freshman 101 College Expo. The expo helps students to prepare for college and encourages them to make attending college one of their future goals. Representatives from 20 colleges and universities attend. This Expo is in partnership with attendance, as well as guest speakers, financial aid experts, and the president of LMC.
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