What We’ve Been Doing?
May 22, 2009 by admin
What We’ve Been Doing?
August 26th - We were at Pendergast Elementary School to welcome back
the student body and be a part of the green school grand opening. The student body had the opportunity to hear the right choice speech and learn the C.D.C. formula. It was the pleasure of the Wade Family foundation and the participants were exited to receive Dream Capsules courtesy of John Kittleson, and T-shirts. We would like to give a special thank you to Principal Mr. Mike Woolsey, and the Pendergast staff for their support!
September 26th - 27th – Wade Family Foundations C.N.O. James co-facilitated the first statewide Teen Leadership Initiative weekend training with the Peer Solutions Stand and Serve program. The program was designed to teach its participants learn how to be the best role models for Safety, Equality and Respect. The goal of the program is to spread this initiative and its teachings across the state, the country, the world
October 6th- The Wade Family Foundation brought the Right Choice initiative to Challenger Middle school of Glendale, Arizona. Approximately 20 students were present to learn the C.D.C. formula. The students had the awesome opportunity to meet and speak with street ball slam dunk champion Kenny Dobbs “The Dunk Inventor” with UpRise 
(www.myspace.com/uprisenation). Kenny shared his story and how the C.D.C. formula has helped him achieve his goals and dreams. The students also had the privilege of playing with the basketball star as well as participant in his trick dunks! Guest speakers included Josette Ulibarri who was born with Tetraphocomelia and has been wheel chair bound since birth and Dalen Soto, who lives with spinal muscle atrophy type2. They shared their stories about the obstacles t
hey face daily and the tools they use to stay positive. Many of the children had questions about how they stay motivated to keep going and how they handled being different the affects it had on their self-esteem and how they overcame; the students expressed how they were inspired by their stories. The Right Choice speech was made and the students had the opportunity to see and listen to Bobby Wade teach about the importance of Choices Decisions and Consequences. To ensure the students have grasped the C.D.C. message; each student was asked to write about a time they made a good decision and a time they made a bad decision and the outcome of each.
October 30th- The first special guest that spoke was Irving Adams (right). 
His story was about how he made the decision at a young age to be drug free and stayed with it. He explained that despite the peer pressure, environmental influences and choices others around him were making he made the decision that would yield favorable consequences. Irving was compelled to tell his story with hopes that the young people present will make the same decision to be drug free. 
Next Josette Ulibarri (left), born with Tetraphocomelia, spoke about how she conquered the challenge of maintaining a high self-esteem as well as why she chooses to have a positive attitude everyday aside from the obstacles she faces. She stated that everyone there could do the same if they choose to. The students continued to listen attentively as twenty-two year old Alex Heide (right) spoke of how a decision he made
resulted in a snowboarding accident leaving him paralyzed. Alex shared his story influencing the students to be more thoughtful when making decisions and envision the possible consequences of their actions before they make decisions. 
Dalen Soto (left), was another special guest that shared his story. Dalen lives with spinal muscle atrophy type2 and like Josette has been wheelchair bound since birth. He shared his story of being the 1st person in Arizona to successfully participate in Power Soccer with a “Sip-N- Puff” operated wheelchair. His story conveyed a message of perseverance telling the students that regardless of how challenging things may appear to be, with effort anything is possible. Next
James introduced two friends, Jessie Howard (right) and Xan Kelley 
(left). Both women were shooting victims of domestic violence living with spinal cord injuries, are now victors with a message. Their presences reinforced the message of making conscience decision making and its importance! In closing Hannah Larson and Luke Mathers (left), from the 
Stand and Serve program, reminded everyone that it is necessary and significant to be concerned with the Safety, equality and Respect for all people. As the day was ending the students remained eager; perhaps it was the festivities of the week or the thought of the dance later that day; no matter the reasons Bobby Wade of the Kansas City Chiefs 
was able to get their attention. He took the last few minutes to inspire the students. Asking them to recall the individuals they met today when they begin to feel discouraged and use their stories as empowerment and guidance to make well thought-out decisions, have a healthy self-esteem, remain positive regardless of opposition and believing that anything is possible with effort and perseverance. Bobby proposed that each student take something away from what they heard; as he did as a young person. He also demanded that the students take the choices they are faced with seriously, because the decisions they make will likely have consequences that affect the rest of their lives, good or bad. Special thank you to Venomocity.com for the generous gifts!
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I should say that wadefamilyfoundation.org has lots of interesting information. Looks like the author did a good job. I will be coming back to wadefamilyfoundation.org for new information. Thank you.
Many thanks to all of you for your visit to our school on Oct. 6. We had a wonderful time sharing stories and watching Kenny slam dunk over James. Looking forward to your return!
I am fortunate to know inspirational and selfless people through my contacts with the Wade Family Foundation and I am grateful for your mission.