The United Way of Muscatine Youth Affinity Group is a partnership between United Way of Muscatine, the Muscatine Community School District, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muscatine County, Musser Library, Trinity Public Health, New Horizons, Iowa State Extension, Muscatine Community YMCA Character Development, and Lutheran Services in Iowa. The group’s mission is “Working Better Together for Youth in Muscatine”.
Their current focus is educating the community at large about the Leader in Me framework being used in the Muscatine School Districts elementary schools, so that we can all be speaking the same language to children in our community. It is based on teaching the timeless principles of success from Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People to children. By teaching children from an early age to be leaders of their own lives and that they are responsible for determining their effectiveness as students and people, we will be providing our children with the mindset and skill set needed to be successful in our dynamic, ever-changing society.
The Let’s Talk Youth Affinity group will be doing a public education campaign around each habit, starting in November with Habit 1-Be Proactive. I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking. By learning to be proactive and taking responsibility for their education and their lives, students take a significant step in creating the future that lies ahead of them.
“The best way to PREDICT your FUTURE is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln
To learn more about the Leader In Me visit www.leaderinme.org or ask an elementary student.