Revolutionary Life Skills Program for Students Offered to Schools Nationwide at No Cost

Community for Education Foundation Unveils "Overcoming Obstacles Gifting Initiative"

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program,  a proven-effective curriculum designed to help educators teach communication, decision making and goal setting skills that middle and high school students need to be successful in life, is now available free of charge to school districts across the country.

More than 2.5 million students in New York City, Charleston, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jersey City, and Los Angeles have already benefitted from Overcoming Obstacles, a program developed and administered by the nonprofit Community for Education Foundation, since it was launched in 1992. Today, thanks to a new $10 million "Gifting Initiative," the curriculum materials, training, and ongoing support are available at no cost.

The Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program equips middle school and high school educators with the tools they need to teach students life skills and character education. It covers the "fourth R of education" – Relevant skills – including time management, problem solving, conflict resolution, study skills, and most importantly, self-respect and respect for others. Students in the high school program also learn about selecting colleges, researching scholarships, financial responsibility, interviewing skills and more. 

"Overcoming Obstacles has been recognized nationwide for its positive impact on students' grade point averages, attendance rates, classroom behavior, personal development, and family relationships," said Erin Capone, executive director of Community for Education Foundation.

"However, many schools lack the resources necessary to implement this important curriculum," Capone added. "With the program now available to schools at no cost through the Gifting Initiative, Community for Education Foundation is tirelessly working with educators across the country to bring Overcoming Obstacles to their districts, and we will continue until every school has access to this successful life skills program."

To ensure that educators across the nation can effectively implement the program themselves, Overcoming Obstacles provides more than 180 hours of engaging curriculum as well as professional development workshops and ongoing support services. Over the coming years, the Gifting Initiative will provide $10 million of free curriculum and services to schools across the country.

For more information on the Community for Education Foundation's Overcoming Obstacles Gifting Initiative, visit: www.overcomingobstacles.org.

SOURCE Overcoming Obstacles