How to create self-sufficient, resilient kids

Kids can make good choices! Parents...How many positive networks of support surround your child? They need family, extended family, religious family, supportive schools, good neighbors and friends. If kids feel loved and respected, you don't have to "control" their behavior, they will see...real power comes for self-control.

NEWS RELEASE

Adopt-A-Block Guidebook Offers Simple
Plan for Building a Great Neighborhood

Everyone wants to live in a great neighborhood and a new book shows anyone how to create one. The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook: 10 Steps to a Safe and Healthy Neighborhood offers a simple plan for making any community a better place to live.

In ten, easy-to-follow steps, the guidebook explains how a group of neighbors, members of a civic, service or religious organization, or local governments can “adopt” a one-block area and create safety zones throughout the community.

In this guidebook, readers will learn:
-how to “break the ice” to bring neighbors together
-the best projects for building bonds
-how connected neighbors help protect children – and improve property values
-limitations of governments – and costs of policing

“This guidebook helps neighbors connect with one another so they can break through the fear and isolation that fuels crime, drugs and other problems,” says Stephanie Mann, author of the guidebook and a pioneer in the Neighborhood Watch movement who helped her own community cuts its crime rate by 48% – without a police department. “By taking the action steps outlined in the Adopt-A-Block plan, neighbors become empowered and learn that they don’t have to tolerate destructive behavior.”

Already, the City of Richmond, California, which has been plagued with street violence, has purchased and distributed dozens of copies of the guidebook to local leaders and members of the faith-based community. Marilyn Langlois, Community Advocate in the Office of the Mayor in Richmond, has this to say about it: “The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook reminds us how important it is to build on the caring aspect of human nature in order to create supportive communities in which all can thrive,”

For more information: www.safekidsnow.com

Sex Offenders

Is your neighborhood safe? Are you children safe? CA has 66,000 registered sex offenders, 49,000 supervised, 10,000 on probation, 6,700 on parole!

What has gone horrible wrong is the US? There are solutions!

(Source: California Sex Offender Management Board)

9 teens arrested in bullying after Phoebe Prince hangs herself!

Do you know the 2 critical issues parents must address to protect children from bullies?

Stats...160,000 children a day skip school due to fear of a bully. Every 100 minutes a child commits suicide.

Announcement: The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook

Learn how to launch a citywide campaign to strengthen families, restore hope and build trust in your neighborhood. In the process, you and your group can reduce fear and isolation which fuels drugs, crime and violence.

Don't wait for someone else to do it. Become a community leader. Barbara in San Pablo CA saved her neighborhood and later become mayor of her city.

Be the change you want to see in your community.

For more information click on "Safe Kids Now" and read about, "Adopt-A-Block."

Are your children really safe in your neighborhood? 5 Ways to tell!

Are your children really safe in your neighborhood? 5 ways to tell.

HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
1. Ask the kids on the block if they feel safe.
2. Talk to neighbors about any neighborhood concerns.
3. Contact your police department to get statistics.
4. Check www.meganslaw.com to see if predators live in your area.
5. Hold a meeting and bring neighbors together to discuss neighborhood safety.

If you want the whole community to get involved, check out the Adopt-A-Block Guidebook at www.safekidsnow.com

Teen Suicide every 100 minutes

RECENT HEADLINES: Marie Osmond's 18 year old son jumped off his apartment balcony. Teen suicide is on the rise!

Many parents don't know the difference between normal teen depression (moodiness) and signs of suicide. Here are some of the risk factors:

- Talking or writing about dying, disappearing or types of self-harm.
- Personality changes: withdrawal from family and friends, anxious or irritable, sad, indecisive or apathetic.
- Inability to concentrate on school, work, routine tasks.
- Change in sleep, including insomnia, oversleeping and nightmares.
- Dressing down, unkempt and poor hygiene.
- Change in eating habits.
- Low self-esteem or over-whelming guilt, self-hatred or shame.
- Loss of hope, believing things will never change.
- Giving away favorite things, extravagant spending, arranging care for pets.

For more information: www.suicide.org National Suicide Prevention Center