Power Living ProgramLife education curriculum

by Dr. John Kline Ph.D.

Power Living ProgramContinuation ofYouth Athletic

Enrichment ProgramDetroit after school program involving - Basketball - Tutoring - Life lessons endorsed by professional sports players - Week-end tournaments - Annual All Star-Banquet - Summer Camp

- Established in 1987- Awarded $600,000 Skillman Grant in 2000- Ran for 5 years in Public School- Endorsed by Detroit Pistons and

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing

Highlights

Dr. John Kline Ph.D.Dr. Kline is the co-founder of the Youth Athletic Enrichment Program (YAEP). Dr. Kline has worked with students and young people in drug prevention, rehabilitation, violence prevention and health promotion for over 30 years. He also developed sports and youth development programs as well as other programs designed to keep students motivated, in school and on the path to success. August 11th, 2011 in Springfield, MA he will be honored in the Grassroots category with the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

-1953-1959 Harlem Globetrotter-1977 Masters Degree in Education from Wayne State University-1985 Doctorate in History and Philosophy Education

from Wayne State University-1986-93 Director of Drug Prevention in Detroit-1987 Co-founder of the Youth Athletic Enrichment Program-1991-94 Detroit Public School Director of Drug Free Schools-1994-96 Director of Health Promotion and Wellness for Detroit Public Schools-1996 Founder of the Black Legends of Professional Basketball-2002 Successfully lobbies Michigan State senate to pass Resolution 286

-Honors African American basketball legends for their contributions

-2003 Successfully lobbies US Congress and Senate to pass Resolution 278-Honors African American basketball pioneers

-2007 Recipient of :-Team for Justice Award -Detroit City Council Award-Wayne County Commissioners Award

Dr. Kline’s Credentials

Dropout Crisis- 7,200 American High School students dropout every day - 3 out of 10 members of this years graduating class will not graduate- 1.3 million students a year leave high school

-(Education Week June 10, 2010)

- High school dropouts commit 75% of the crimes in the US- Dropouts are much more likely to be on public assistance than graduates- These two factors cost $200 billion annually

-(Solutions for America)

Mass Illiteracy- 42 million Americans cannot read, write, or perform simple math- 50 million Americans cannot read past the 4th grade level

- (National Right to Read Foundation)

-Approximately 50% of the nations unemployed youth age 16-21 are functionally illiterate

-(US Department of Health and Human Services)

-60% of American prison inmates are illiterate and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems

-(US Department of Education)

-In a study of ‘high income’ countries the US ranked 12 out of 20 in literacy

-(Education Testing Services)

Dropout InterviewsCivic Enterprises interviewed dropouts in 2006 regarding public school improvements

-81% wanted more opportunities for “real-world” learning so the connection between school and getting a job was more evident-81% desired “better teachers”-75% would have preferred smaller classes-70% reported needing more tutoring-70% felt there was a lack of supervision in school-62% needed more assistance in solving personal problems that eclipsed their ability to focus on academics

National Efforts for ChangeUS Department of Education School Turnaround Grants

-Focus on the 12% of schools producing 50% of the dropouts-schools with graduation rates below 60%

-FY 2011 budget includes $900 million in Turnaround grants for these schools-To qualify for these grants schools must choose between 4 reform models

America’s Promise Alliance Dropout Prevention -Founding Chairman General Colin Powell-Organizes summits and encourages community cooperation to address the issue-Created Grad Nationan online guidebook to help communitiescurb dropout

Power Living Clubs Provides Students

-Supportive curriculum-Endorsed by celebrities and athletes who have influence on students-Incorporates enjoyable sports that fight obesity -Provides mentors and community involvement-Includes opportunities for tutoring -Teaches life skills students need today and in the future-Gives affirmation and incentives to students through awards banquet, sports competition, and membership cards

African American Males-African American males are one of the demographics hit the hardest by the dropout rate along with Illegal Immigrants and Hispanic males-Only 54% of African Americans graduate reports Education Week-1 in 4 African American male dropouts ends up in prison

-(New York Times, October 8, 2009)School Environment

Part of the problem may be that African American males are unable to connect with public school systems.

-“The research shows that if you can match the ethnicity and race of teachers and students, teachers tend to be more effective.”

-(Ed Fuller, Associate Director of the University Council for Education Administration at the University of Texas at Austin)-2% of the 5 million teachers are African American

-(National Newspaper Publishers Association)

Supportive Curriculum

This message is supported in the DVD lessons by reviewing the history of African American advancement in sports, military, science, music, and politics.

The Power Living curriculum focuses on encouraging African Americans to take pride in their heritage and appreciate the struggles their ancestors went through to provide the opportunities they have today.

“When given the opportunity African Americans excel.”-Dr. Kline

Power Living Clubs help bridge the gap between African American males and the public school system by providing positive messages about themselves that they are not exposed to enough. Power Living Clubs incorporates role models they can relate to.

Curriculum Books

Celebrity Endorsements

-The Power Living Program features DVD lessons which include positive messages delivered by the Detroit Pistons-Also highlights positive role models such as General Collin Powell, General Benjamin O. Davis, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan

Post-program student surveys support that comments made by these celebrities brought credibility to key points made in the DVD lectures.

Credibility

Obesity EpidemicAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the last 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity. 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese. Obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

(Below) Maps illustrate the rise in obesity from 1986-2009

Sports SolutionPower Living Clubs provide students with an hour of exercise everyday after school. In addition, tournaments are held on Saturdays and sports camps are provided for 2 weeks in the summer.

Provides Mentors, Community Involvement, and Tutoring

-In the daily 2 hours of Power Living Program 5 days a week, the first hour is used for sports the second is for viewing the DVD lessons and participating in group discussions-Students have the opportunity to voice questions and address issues on a deeper level -Time is available for students who need help with homework-Mentor relationships develop with facilitators and students

“It was more than just throwinga ball up. Kids had to go to classes. I know it kept me out of trouble, it really did motivateme. Kids need a program like this, especially when the oddsare against them.”

-Gary A. Bell, Chicago grammarschool teacher and coach

Teaches Life Skills Students Need“This program has built my self-esteem and it’s turned my mind away from thinking violence is the way. Now when I come to a conflict I either talk it out or walk away.”

-Michelle Benson, 8th grader at Malcolm X Academy in 2001

Inter-Active DVD Lessons

1) Who Am I?-Helps students connect with their past and consider their future

2) Character Development-Learning from role models who have character

3) Health and Nutrition-Discussion on eating healthy and avoiding obesity

4) Pressures of the Street -Students learn they have responsibility and choices that effect their future

5) Drug Use and Abuse-Description of drugs and their effects

6) Conflict Resolution-Communication instead of violence

7) Respect for the Elderly-Appreciate past generations

8) Leadership and Discipline-What are leadership traits?

9) Business and Entrepreneurship-How does one succeed?

New DVD Lessons

1) The Cycle of Life-Overview of life stages and life choices

2) Cultivating Positive Values-How to be a good citizen

3) The Fundamentals of Sports-Sportsmanship and teamwork

4) Male Female Relations-Responsibilities and consequences of sex-Listening to each other

5) Relationship to Family, School, and Community-Communication and solidarity

6) Adolescence and the Legal System-Review of laws and the legal system

7) Smoking Prevention and Education-Reasons to quit

8) Vocational Pathways-Career choices

9) Mastermind Principles-Game plan

Entrepreneur Role Model

Mayor Dave Bing

Featured in the lesson on “Business and Entrepreneurship” Dave Bing talks about his secrets to success

-Dave Bing is a Seven time NBA All-Star who played for the Detroit Pistons-He was the first Piston to have his jersey retired-1980 founded Bing Steel providing metal stamping to the automobile industry-Transformed into Bing Group-Elected to Naismith Hall of Fame in 1990 named one of NBA’s 50 Greatest Players -2009 elected Mayor of Detroit

Affirmation and Incentives

All-Star Game -Students look forward to the climax of the sports competition at the end of the 10 week program-It provides a chance for them to be recognized for their abilitiesAwards Banquet

-Attended by students, their families, celebrities, and supporters-Encourages youth with awards and honors-Raises money for the program

Awards Ceremony held at the Pistons Palace (above)

Membership Card -Participating students are presented with a Power Living Club membership card which gives them a 5-10% discount at businesses which support the program

Summer Camp

-120 students are selected to attend Camp Burt R. Shurly -students participate in basketball clinics, life skills workshops, visits from college coaches as special guests, along with camp activities

Economic Benefits -Creates jobs for coaches, referees, facilitators,

community health professionals- Encourages students to make better life choices toward being productive members of society - Assists students to be better prepared for life and the work force

Hopelessness is one of the hardest struggles that face people living in inner-city America . This lack of hopelessness often leads to destructive choices. The Power Living Program gives people a chance to be involved in an organization that creates positive change in the community. This allows them to gain a feeling of influence over what goes on around them. Involving professional athletes and city leaders helps the community to feel connection and camaraderie with these people, which serves to boost their self-esteem. These two aspects join to revitalize the heart of the inner-city.

Turning the Tide

Opportunities

Regional Coordinator positions available

Training provided

If interested contact Dr. John Kline Ph.D. at johnkline36@yahoo.com