Worldwide Program Empowers Kids to Make Positive Life Changes

Online, May 10, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Historically, the majority of help charities provide for vulnerable children is, understandably, for their basic material needs and education. However, we tend to forget, or at least minimize, their psychosocial (emotional and social) needs, which are vital components for becoming a healthy person and which help lessen their vulnerability.

For the past eleven years, Janet Bauer has been working with children in the United States and in Africa by teaching What's Great About You® that she developed. In 2008, she founded the "I'm a Great Child Worldwide" program, sponsored by United Charitable Programs, in order to bring this program to at-risk children in more countries.

The program is designed to empower children to change their lives by enhancing their natural strengths, self-esteem, confidence and speaking skills. Through the program, Bauer has directly taught 1,200 children for more than 70 organizations. She has also taught 2,500 teachers, nonprofit staff, parents, caregivers, and college students. And she conducts training sessions for adults who then pass the program to many more children.

"I saw children living in poverty in slums, informal settlements and villages in Africa, as well as at-risk children in the United States who had little sense of self-worth." said Bauer. "When these children were taught to acknowledge and appreciate who they are, and to know their natural strengths, all of a sudden they realized that they could change their own lives, and even help other children become empowered."

Recently, this program was taught to children living in three slums in Kenya. A 13-year-old girl who was a program participant said, "I was timid and shy. I felt like standing up and speaking but did not know where to do it. The 'I'm A Great Child' program helped me to be brave and courageous. I gave a speech for the United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction at the University of Nairobi. I give presentations on children's rights. I am the debate prefect in my school. Many children come running to me asking if they can join this program. Being great is what everyone wants."

There are innumerable testimonials like this from children who have been inspired by this program to make positive changes in their lives; some are posted on the website at http://www.greatchildworldwide.org.

"The transformation in these children is incredible. I've witnessed the kids making positive changes in themselves, their families and communities. Children are raising their school grades, developing good character, and creating healthier lifestyles. They're really motivated to achieve their goals. And some have become leaders of other children." Bauer remarked.

Bauer's work in the U.S. has taken her to shelters for homeless youth, clubs for children at risk, shelters for victims of domestic violence, and a center for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. In Africa, she taught in schools and community programs located in slums, informal settlements, and small villages. In 2005, she was the recipient of the Woman & Youth Award presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate, South Carolina.

Valley View Academy is a school in a large slum in Kenya. The deputy principal said "This is a miracle-working program. It's doing what counseling has not been able to do, which is empower children from within. Teachers say it's the 'mother' program, as the source of all others in our school."

Arcadia Elementary is a school in the United States. The principal said, "I want to thank this organization for the powerful message it has been destined to share around the world. It was sensational for our children and teachers. Two years later, our teachers are still using this in their classes."

I'm a Great Child Worldwide is located in Cary, North Carolina. Its mission is to provide a proven program to empower children by enhancing their natural strengths, speaking skills, confidence and self-esteem; to train children to become leaders; and to provide training for adults who are influential in the lives of children. All donations to I'm a Great Child Worldwide are tax-deductible, and will go to help these at-risk children around the world.

For more information about fiscal sponsorship of charitable programs, please visit http://www.unitedcharitableprograms.org. United Charitable Programs (UCP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor of active charitable programs.