ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

No activity this complicated can be accomplished by an individual.  There have been hundreds  (even thousands including the 6,500 students we’ve assisted to graduate on time) dedicated to this program.  Below are a few of the dear folks who have been dedicated to “I CARE”.

In 1981 John Mazzonni contacted me after reading an extensive article in  The San Jose Mercury News about a truant officer counseling kids who were recently released from Juvenile Hall.  He called asking if I would teach a class at  the adult school for these kids.  With a full plate I graciously declined.  He called back with “an offer I couldn't refuse”...high school credit for all participants.  During the next few months people from far and wide offered assistance and support:  a residential treatment center offering their recovering addicts as counselors and mentors; Joe Lacarria program director.  Local police department juvenile division and The honorable Judge Wilmont Sweeny...the list goes on.  It does take a village.

Thirty seven years later at age 77, I retired with a burning desire to pass the torch to younger compassionate souls.  Doing this would require a skill set above my limited abilities:

First and foremost: an editor who unscrambled my scribbles to the degree that they are readable...Debora Martin who also committed insight and vision as to the needs of you, the reader.  Speaking of readers and proofreaders, our first was Rosemary Atkinson followed by Steve Giudici the visionary Principal at Fremont Adult School who supported comprehensive High School Principals growing our class to the tune of 80+ students.  Other counselors: Sunny Fretes, Joan Guerria, Evan Goldberg, record holding 10 year volunteer Sandie Oyarzo and many others my shorting memory hides from recognition.  Contact us and I’ll make sure you are mentioned in the next edition.

Inspiration for our program came from the likes of Jack Canfield whom I met at a conference for drug-free-youth in the late 80’s.  His book 100 ways to enhance self-concept in the classroom proved invaluable over the years as did the presentations of Dr. Stephen Glenn,  expert on parenting and working with oppositional teens and William Glasser author of Schools Without Failure.

Toughlove® founders Phyllis and David York invited me to write a Toughlove® for teens book with them. 

That experience inspired me to attempt this endeavor.