Overcoming Obstacles

A Fresh Start

"A life skills program is a magnificent way to start off. It shapes the way that students see their lives. It shapes their academic performance. And they will see much greater results if they were involved in some type of organized life skills program." – Lacarma Brown-McMillan, Principal, West Ashley High School, Charleston, SC

Culture Shift

"We've literally changed the culture of the school in the last three years. We see students who are respectful, not only among themselves but to their teachers. And we found that our discipline rate for piddling things has gone down about 65%." - Mary Runyon, Principal, West Ashley High School, Charleston, SC

Building Bonds

"It has become abundantly clear to the teachers of Overcoming Obstacles that the students in our ninth grade academy are beginning to verbalize their strengths and are bonding in a positive way. One vital benefit has been the unity formed by the students through the sense of belonging to the school itself." - Daniel Garretson, Teacher, Richmond Hill High School, Queens, NY

Setting Goals

"Because of Overcoming Obstacles, I have the skills that are letting me move ahead in my life. Overcoming Obstacles taught me about time management and setting goals. I did not know about these skills before, and that is the reason why I was not doing well." - Booray Adam Nour, fled Sudan in 2009, Physicians’ Assistant Major at Bronx Community College

Building a Better Future

"If it weren’t for Overcoming Obstacles, I know I wouldn’t have reached my goals of going to college or be on the right track to achieve my goals in the future. Overcoming Obstacles helps young people who are going through a difficult time know that there is help available and that they are not alone." – Wendy Castelan, Nursing Student, LaGuardia Community College, Long Island City, NY

From Homeless to College

“It is said that homeless students are falling off the educational map, but programs like these were created to rectify such problems and eliminate the cycle of homelessness, incarceration, poverty, and victimization. Thank you for recognizing that we have not fallen off the map, because through OO, we are bettering ourselves.” – Orayne Williams, Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY

Mentoring Program

"Overcoming Obstacles kept me out of trouble by teaching me how to make good decisions. The goal setting lessons taught me how to hold on to my dreams, work hard and take steps each day to reach my goals. These skills taught me to be positive, follow my heart, and do what I know is right." – McKenley Dieudonne, Clara Barton High School, Brooklyn, NY

Time Management

"Through OO I learned the importance of setting goals and how to manage my time, which helped me as I worked 25 hours a week, took online classes, and got back on track. Because of what I learned, I made the honor roll every quarter and hope to have a career in medical management so I can help others." - Jasmine Blake, Medical Management Major, Monroe College, NY

Dreams Realized

“Schools that have embedded life skills curriculum into the fabric of what they do see an improvement in school culture and climate. It helps students to be goal focused, build relationships, create a plan, and realize how school fits into that larger plan that they have for themselves.” - Lois Herrera, CEO, Safety & Youth Development, New York City Public Schools

Rosa Basil

“When I learned about Overcoming Obstacles and life skills, that was a turning point for me. I began to, gravitate towards positive things and people in my life. I started thinking that I was really capable of following my dreams and making them flourish.” – Rosa Basil, Inner City Education Foundation Public Schools, Los Angeles, CA

Richard W. Riley

“Now is the time for an education movement. We must teach our children the skills for success in school, at home, on the job, and as citizens of this country.” – Richard W. Riley, Former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993-2001)

Our children are missing something.

It’s up to us to change that.

Young people with life skills lead better lives.

IMPROVE ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT

REDUCE
SUSPENSIONS

DECREASE
DROPOUT RATES

A Fresh Start

Culture Shift

Building Bonds

Setting Goals

Building a Better Future

From Homeless to College

Mentoring Program

Time Management

Dreams Realized

Rosa Basil

Richard W. Riley

FREE FOREVER

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Our children are missing something.

It’s up to us to change that.

Young people with life skills lead better lives.

IMPROVE ACADEMICACHIEVEMENT

REDUCESUSPENSIONS

DECREASEDROPOUT RATES

A Fresh Start

Culture Shift

Building Bonds

Setting Goals

Building a Better Future

From Homeless to College

Mentoring Program

Time Management

Dreams Realized

Rosa Basil

Richard W. Riley

FREE FOREVER

IMPROVE ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT

REDUCE
SUSPENSIONS

DECREASE
DROPOUT RATES