Base Leadership & Academic Program
Academic Program
ALA Program Description Abundant Life Academy is best known as a Christian Leadership Academy; serving "formerly" good kids who are now off track, making poor decisions, and in need of immediate redirection. Additionally, ALA has a tremendous academic program to go along with our powerful Christ-centered leadership/discipleship program. More importantly, we have recognized that all kids are different, especially when it comes to the depth of their rebellion. The fact is that some kids have gone further down the road of rebelliousness, and therefore have different needs. Abundant Life Academy offers two different programs to meet the specific needs of our students. Our "Base Leadership Program" is a 9 to 12 month program (described in detail below) and has proven to be very successful over the years. Our newest program, known as the Early-early Intervention Accelerated Program (EEIAP), is a shorter version of our Base Leadership Program. With the EEIAP we are able to better serve some students by condensing the full version of our regular program in to a shorter time period (3 to 6 months). The EEIAP is reserved for students who are just beginning to go down the road of rebellion (for a more detailed description see below) and/or, have a higher level of emotional maturity.
Base Leadership Program (9 to 12 months) Human Behavior: A Christ-centered view about “how and why” people “act”. This segment of the ALA Leadership Program is an in-depth learning about “oneself”; personality traits, temperaments, personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as “blindspots” (actions and behaviors that continue to undermine the child’s progress). Through the “Human Behavior” segment the ALA students learn the basics regarding “effective interpersonal” communication [learning to relate to others and communicate better] and “conflict resolution”. In addition, students come to understand the dangers and drawbacks of “selfishness” and “self-centeredness”. Moreover, the ALA students learn to care for others, lifting others above themselves, and loving others. During this phase the ALA student learns why he/she struggles to relate to others (especially parents) and why they continue to make poor decisions. Students also learn the power behind “submission to authority”.
Furthermore, the ALA student will complete at least one semester academic credit during Trimester I, as well as to be involved in serving others through “community service”. Trimester I students can participate in athletics, worship team, and other prosocial activities that promote well-being.
Trimester II – Leadership Curriculum (months 4 to 6) 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 “play 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 7 to 9 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. 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 other countries (e.g. Mexico) are poor (materialistically), but more important they learn that they are extremely rich (spiritually). As we serve the poor, we are always out-served by them. You can’t out give the people who are in need. Additionally, even though they have very little in terms of materialism, these folks are extremely happy and fulfilled people. The ALA student learns why these people are happy (because their culture is about “family”, serving “others”, and being thankful for all they have).
Typical Student Candidate (ALA Base Leadership Program – 9 to 12 months) The typical student candidate for the ALA Leadership Program is a good kid from a good Christian family (raised in the Church). Unfortunately, this student also has a substantial “authority” issue (mainly, this child is rebelling against parental authority). The authority issue stems form the fact that they have an adventurous spirit and demand un-earned autonomy, but can’t make decisions that are in their best interest. In essences, these kids are their own worst enemy. In regard to their parents they fight, argue, and will not listen. Additionally, this child is emotionally immature, is making poor decisions, blames everyone else for their own mistakes, rationalizes, minimizes, and is deep into “fantasy-thinking”. Meaning, this child is making more and more bad decisions, is hanging out with the wrong crowd, sneaking out at night, experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and is probably sexually active and they don’t see the “problem”. However, this same child blames his/her parents for everything, and thinks that they are “retarded”, “gay”, and “stupid”. This child is acting as if he/she was 8 years old, but demands to be treated as if they were 30.
Click Here to Download this Program's Enrollment Agreement (9-12 Month Academic Program)
To View the Description of the Short Term/Accelerated Eary Intervention Program - Click Here
|
