History & Mission
In 1989, educational film and television producer Jill Siegal Chalsty's childhood tormentor, Sara, apologized to her at their ten-year high school reunion. Sara was a bully in school and made Jill's life miserable. After the reunion, Jill met with Sara and learned the reasons for her behavior. Sara was the daughter of an alcoholic mother and had suffered abuse at home. Sara then shared that her job was now bringing "life skills" instruction to children in detention facilities. She hoped to help kids today avoid the pain that she and Jill had suffered. Jill was intrigued--what was "life skills" instruction? Why wasn't it available to all children?
Jill undertook a year-long research project. The subject: "What is the missing link to effective education?" Her interviews were with fellow classmates, current students, local business owners, teachers, superintendents and concerned parents. A common theme emerged: we must teach our children the skills relevant to success in life.
Jill went on to gain the support of local and national community leaders--including HUD Secretary Jack Kemp and NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey--and in 1992 launched a nonprofit education reform organization, the Community for Education Foundation. The organization's mission:
To ensure that all young people learn the communication, decision making, and goal setting skills they need to be successful in life.
Community for Education Foundation's vehicle for mission achievement would become the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program including curriculum materials, professional development and ongoing support so that educators could teach the skills relevant to success to all of their students. Among the first Overcoming Obstacles cities were Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jersey City and New York City. Today, Overcoming Obstacles is taught by thousands of educators to millions of students across the country.