Character Counts

This is a program funded by a District Grant and contributions from our Club in which Rotarians discuss six Character Pillars with before and after student evaluations for fifty students at The Vashti Center, Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Club, the Thomasville Community Resource Center and the Thomasville City Schools' Scott Elementary School. Vashti offers a residential program for students who are not able to live with their families and the Boys and Girls Club and the Resource Center are after school programs which helps young people become productive citizens. The Character Counts Program from the Josephson Institute involves the staff discussing with the students each of the character traits of Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Respectfulness, and Responsibility for one month. Two Rotarians then meet with the students to discuss how the trait of the month has impacted their personal and professional lives. The students are then involved in a discussion about how this trait could apply in their lives and the difference it could make. The assessment of the program at Vashti was that “The Character Counts Curriculum has proven to increase the morale and values of the youth in the program.” We have branded our Club as giving priority to educational projects and this program reinforces this branding in the community. We expect this innovative program to have a similar impact this year and plan to continue it in the future.

See attachment titled Character Counts for further information.