Hearing Rick Miller speak and reading his book, which I keep on my bench, was very eye opening and altered, for the better, how I view the world. I use his Kids at Hope philosophy in court when dealing with kids and parents. I also use his philosophy and keep it in mind when dealing with my own kids and with other adults in my personal life. I also believe that this philosophy will help me when I move to the criminal bench.

The motto of Kids at Hope is ‘All Children are Capable of Success, No Exceptions!’ It is essential that community-based agencies strive to live by that bold imperative. But to really believe that and create programming that suggests we believe it, we have to check in with ourselves and view kids a bit differently.

(Kids at Hope) offers a framework for us to implement our shared vision: that every child can be successful, no …exceptions; and that adults can impact the success of children through guidance, encouragement and an evidenced-based course of action. It is hard not to be inspired by Kids at Hope’s message about the power of optimism and positivity in making meaningful connections and changes in the outcomes of children. Regardless of your role in the Juvenile Justice system, look for future traini…

Applying a proven system like Kids at Hope is essential for organizations that work with children to nurture and sustain a culture of collaboration, trust, learning, and high expectations.

…while there are no simple answers regarding how a school develops a culture of academic optimism and high expectations for all students, the Kids at Hope belief system provided remarkable strategies that effectively motivated the entire school community to create optimism and channel behavior toward the accomplishment of high academic goals.

I watched with fascination all the cases that came before my case. Everyone (in the court) was so NICE! And caring, and interested and genuinely seeking to help kids-I don’t know why this should be a revolutionary, shocking circumstance to be witnessing, but it was truly something I have never seen in 33 years as an attorney who has frequented juvenile court. . .Not only did the judge smile and make a connection with the kid, the PROSECUTOR made a connection with all of them (the kid and his f…

Being one of the younger treasurer hunters as well as a Kid at Hope, I wanted to say the hope tunnels do really make a difference during the first week of school. I attend Westwood high school and having all those familiar as well as unknown faces there for encouragement along with uplifting messages does really make a difference in how students (including myself) start the year off. I just wanted to say thank you for the dedication and positive difference you’ve been making around St.luci…

Gandhi said, ‘if you want to change the world, be that change.’ Kids at Hope IS that change. I am with you guys 100 percent.”

I love Report Card Day.  I can see the kids joy when I’m reading to them their talents & what they could do with them when they get older.  I feel good leaving on those days knowing they all went home with that awesome feeling.

Who wouldn’t want to make schools the happiest places on Earth?!