Siouxland CARES   Character Counts Initiative   back   Location ADDRESS Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Bldg 101 Pierce Street Sioux City, Iowa 51101 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 4553 Sioux City, IA 51104 PHONE 712-255-3188 FAX 712-255-3188 WEBSITE www.siouxlandcares.org E-MAIL cares@longlines.com

SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES Make Your Character Count in Siouxland THE SIX PILLARS OF CHARACTER ARE T.R.R.F.C.C. (“Terrific”) TRUSTWORTHINESS Be honest - Don’t deceive, cheat or steal – Be reliable – do what you say you’ll do – Have the courage to do the right thing – Build a good reputation – Be loyal – Stand by your family, friends and community RESPECT Treat others with respect – Follow the Golden Rule – Be tolerant of differences – Use good manners, not bad language – Be considerate of others – Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone – Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements RESPONSIBILITY Do what you’re supposed to do – Persevere: keep on trying! – Do your best – Use self-control – Be self-disciplined – Think before you act, consider the consequences – Be accountable for your choices FAIRNESS Play by the rules – Take turns and share – Be open-minded; listen to others – Don’t take advantage of others – Don’t blame others carelessly CARING Be kind – Be compassionate and show you care – Express gratitude – Forgive others – Help people in need CITIZENSHIP Do your part to improve your school and community – Protect the environment – Cooperate – Stay informed – Vote – Be a good neighbor –Obey laws and rules – Respect authority Where did CHARACTER COUNTS! come from? In 1992, the Josephson Institute of Ethics released research showing alarming rates of negative behaviors among school-age children. A nonsectarian alliance of schools, communities, government agencies and leading human-service organizations rallied around a set of principles developed by a task force of national leaders in Aspen, CO. These positive-development guidelines became known as the Six Pillars of Character www.charactercounts.org) which, along with CHARACTER COUNTS!, are service marks of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics. In the elementary schools of Sioux City and Dakota Valley, the students experience an initiative called CHARACTER COUNTS! Through a variety of posters, readings, skits, songs and thematic animals of different colors, the children learn the traits of: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. (Other area schools have developed character programs by different names). When children practice these behaviors, they become potentially a better-prepared work and family force for the future of our area by starting as more positive participants in their own school community. Why Promote Character Counts? Where CC! has been promoted around the country, negative behaviors in schools have been drastically reduced (cheating, lying, use of alcohol and other drugs, bullying, theft, sexual activity) and positive decisions have been increased (better attendance, better grades, more participation in school activities). Siouxland CARES (cares@longlines.com) (Community Awareness, Resources, Education and Support) with a grant from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)has been promoting greater adult/workplace awareness of the CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative so that the students will recognize that positive behavior is more than just a lesson learned within their school walls and years. Many businesses have accepted the placement in their window of a CC! decal so that students will see signs of their good character logo wherever they go with their parents. LETTER TO BUSINESS PARTNERS Dear Business Partner, As a valued business member of the Siouxland community, we would like to introduce to you an exciting opportunity. Siouxland CARES, our local community anti-drug and Character Counts coalition, would like to offer to your place of business the chance to show your support on what it means to have good character in our community. What is Character Counts? Character Counts (CC) is the most widely implemented approach to Character Education, reaching millions of youth. Character Counts is a framework based on basic values called the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. This initiative is embraced by thousands of schools, communities, public service agencies and non profit organizations, for the simple reason-it works. Studies show that it cuts crime, drug abuse and other misbehavior, and it bolsters students’ commitment to their schooling. Teachers commonly say the whole school climate changes when CC is consistently practiced. Whose job is Character Education? Parents have the primary responsibility, but everyone interacting with young people in today's society have an important supporting role. This is where we need your support! Siouxland CARES has a variety of resources for you to chose from free of charge, to show that your business supports Character Counts and our youth in the Siouxland Community. Your business can proudly say that you believe and practice the Six Pillars of Character through window clings, posters, banners, wrist bands, magnets and note pads. It is that easy! Simply let us know the number of items your business would like to receive via phone or email as listed below. We will then fill your order and have it delivered to your business in a timely manner. If you would like a representative to speak in more detail on how your business can become more actively involved in this supporting role, please let us know when responding to our letter. A representative would be happy to arrange a scheduled time to visit. We enthusiastically look forward to working with you and your employees in the continued promotion of good character within our community and surrounding areas. Make your Character Count in Siouxland! Best Regards, Wendy Schumacher Character Counts Coordinator, Siouxland CARES 712-943-7705 johnnyshoe@longlines.com Linda Phillips Executve Director, Siouxland CARES 712-255-3188 cares@longlines.com What Can I Do To Promote Character Counts in My Business? Siouxland CARES, our local anti-drug and Character Counts Coalition, would like to encourage our citizens and businesses to learn about CC! and show youth that the character traits they learn at school are also valued out in the workplace. Here are some ideas to show your support: •Adopt a school and send a representative to a CC event or class. •Adopt a school and provide incentives for students who excel at CC. •Adopt a school and send a representative to share why CC is important in your workplace. •Help promote CC Week in October as a community celebration of youth and adult commitment and positive behavior. •Be part of the campaign to “brand” Siouxland as a Character Counts community. •Order promotional items (free of charge) and display them in your home and business by calling Siouxland CARES at 712-255-3188. © 2008 Siouxland CARES -- All Rights Reserved.