Abundant Life Academy Substance Abuse Program (12 months) - Section B

     
      Trimester II – Leadership Curriculum (months 5 to 9)

Emotional Intelligence:  “EI” is the foundation of the ALA leadership program.  Most of our student body is made up of very intelligent (gifted) students.  Unfortunately, these kids are also very “emotionally immature” (struggle to make decisions that are in their best interest, especially when it comes to choosing “peers”).  At ALA Students learn to “think”, “act”, and then “feel”.  Way too many young people “feel” first (act out of their immature emotions), then “act”, and most often skip the “thinking” part altogether.  Instead of “thinking” things through young people are addicted to blaming others, rationalizing actions, and they are experts at “playing the victim”.  Emotionally immature kids never get around to understanding that they are causing their own bad situations, and that is why they stay “stuck”.  Emotionally immature kids are depressed and angry.  They try so hard to get their needs met in the most ineffective ways, guaranteeing only that they will get less of what they want, and more of what they are trying to avoid.  At ALA we teach students to “think for themselves” and to find solutions for their issues.  We give them tools to overcome their problems, and then coach them to success.  However, the important thing is for the student to learn to make emotionally intelligent decisions for themselves.
Furthermore, during Trimester II we make sure that the ALA student’s earn opportunities to practice the leadership material they have learned.  During Trimester II students are encouraged, coached, and guided to “exercise” the training they have received.  In essence, the ALA students learn to be leaders by taking on tough situations, learning to deal with all kinds of adversity, and most importantly, to learn to serve others. In Trimester II the ALA student participates in “national” mercy ministry projects.  For example, the Trimester II students of ALA have worked tirelessly in helping clean up New Orleans and Mississippi after the Katrina Hurricane disaster.  Moreover, we have sent student teams to help clean up after major tornado’s (Greensburg, Kansas and Americus, Georgia).  The Trimester II student will participate in other mercy ministry projects such as “Habitat for Humanity” (building homes for the poor)

      Trimester III – Leadership Curriculum (months 10 to 12 and beyond if necessary)

Choice Theory:  The in-depth study of “choice”.  Students at ALA come to understand the power behind “choice” (Christ-centered Choice Theory).  ALA Students have become what they chosen.  Meaning, an accumulation of one’s choices over a period of time contribute to the well being of one’s life.  If we make good, powerful, and “right” choices over a period of time we can enjoy great prosperity and success (“Liberty” and “Freedom”).  However, if we make poor choices over a period of time we can earn a great deal of “loss” and “regret”.  As a matter of fact, prior to coming to ALA our students have compiled a big pile of loss and regret through their poor choices.  ALA students learn how to create success in their lives by making the right choices.  They also learn how to navigate out of “bad places” by turning from their poor choices.  ALA Students learn about the “pits” they have fallen into and how to get out of them.  They learn to take responsibility for their actions, and hold them selves accountable.  Students learn to restrain from negative influences and surround themselves with powerful influences.  “We become who we hang around”.  Through the ALA Choice Theory Program the ALA student gets a sense of “confidence”, “power”, and “destiny”. 

At ALA we teach the ultimate choice is to be led by the Holy Spirit. 
During Trimester III students participate in International Mercy Ministries.  For example, students attend Abundant Life Academy at Costa Rica for at least 4 weeks.  ALA at Costa Rica is our satellite academy located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  Our mission is to serve the poor in that area.  Our Trimester III students are involved with feeding the poor, educating the un-educated, building homes, churches, and development of other social services projects.  Our students learn that the people we serve in Costa Rica are poor (materialistically), but more important they learn that the Costa Ricans are extremely rich (spiritually).  As we serve the Costa Rican poor, we are always out-served by them.  You can’t out give the people of Costa Rica.  Additionally, even though they have very little in terms of materialism, Costa Ricans are extremely happy and fulfilled people.  The ALA student learns why the Costa Rican’s are happy (because the culture of Costa Rica is about “family”, serving “others”, and being thankful for all they have).

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