“Reading, Writing and Amer-I-Can”

By annalise fonza, Lead Facilitator for Springfield Amer-I-Can Program, Inc.

On December 22, 2005, Amer-I-Can students met with site facilitators and Representative Benjamin Swan to celebrate the completion of the first ten weeks of the Amer-I-Can Program, Inc. The Amer-I-Can Program, which stands for I Can + Responsibility = Self-Determination, is a 60-hour, 15-chapter self-improvement and life skills training program that provides individuals with the tools to better manage their lives and change their attitudes from “I CAN’T to I CAN.” The program is designed to address eight components that include: motivation, conditioning, attitudes and habits; goal-setting; problem-solving and decision-making; emotional control; family relationships; financial stability; effective communication; and job search and retention.

In 1988, Jim Brown, Hall of Fame football player (Cleveland Browns), motion picture actor and social activist, founded the Amer-I-Can Program, Inc. Jim Brown first introduced the program in California prisons. After the success Amer-I-Can achieved in prisons such as San Quentin, the program was expanded to ex-gang members and at-risk gang members in Los Angeles. Upon completion of the program/curriculum, ex-gang members graduated and became Amer-I-Can facilitators. As facilitators of the Amer-I-Can Program, ex-gang members have helped many at-risk and/or gang members go from “I CAN’T to I CAN.” Based on its success with gang members from two of the most infamous gangs in the United States, the Crips and the Bloods, the Amer-I-Can program has gained support and funding by state legislatures for implementation in high schools across the United States. Amer-I-Can has been funded in thirteen states, including Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The Amer-I-Can Program, Inc. came to Springfield, by way of Representative Benjamin Swan, 11th Hampden District. Swan learned of Amer-I-Can during a special invitation to visit Jim Brown’s home in Los Angeles. In a meeting hosted by Representative Swan, Dean Renfrow, the New England Director for Amer-I-Can, introduced the Amer-I-Can Program, Inc. to city officials Mayor Charles V. Ryan, former Chief of Police Paula Meara, Assistant Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools Ann Southworth, District Attorney William Bennett, Sheriff Michael Ashe, and representatives from community-based organizations in Springfield. At Beacon Hill, Amer-I-Can was presented with the support of Massachusetts legislators, Representative Lida E. Harkins, Assistant Majority Leader (D-Needham), and Representative Benjamin Swan, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Bonding, State Expenditures, and Capital Assets (D-Springfield), and the General Court approved the allocation of budgetary funds for Springfield to implement the Amer-I-Can program during fiscal year 2005. The funding is administered to Amer-I-Can through the Department of Education (DOE).

Renfrow met with Springfield School Department administrators, and it was determined that Amer-I-Can’s first participants would be students who are enrolled in Twilight Schools. Twilight School students, due to a number of issues and reasons, are repeating the ninth grade. Although beginning the school day after 2:00 p.m. may seem like an inconvenience, many students admitted to me that Twilight School keeps them out of trouble and gives them the chance to improve their academic habits.

Currently, there are three Springfield Twilight Schools participating in the Springfield Amer-I-Can Program, Inc.: The High School of Commerce, Springfield High School of Science & Technology and Springfield Central High School. A facilitator works with high school administrators to plan and organize Amer-I-Can group meetings at least three times per week with groups of students designated by school officials. In Springfield, Alvin Allen, annalise fonza and Calvin Wynder facilitate the Amer-I-Can Program. Each facilitator opens Amer-I-Can meetings with a “feeling session.” During a “feeling session,” each student chooses a word that best describes how s/he is feeling at the moment. Students are given the time necessary to express h/imself without interruption or commentary from peers or facilitators. “This is a very important aspect of the Amer-I-Can group meeting,” says Calvin Wynder. “Too many youth are not given the opportunity to truly express their feelings.” Alvin Allen, who facilitates the program at Commerce High School, indicates that, “It is not unusual for students to begin the feeling session on their own.”

On December 22, 2005, students met with all three facilitators and Representative Swan at a luncheon sponsored by Amer-I-Can. Both students and facilitators had been through a lot that first semester. There were many days when progress did not seem possible, but everyone made it through the semester and felt it was appropriate to celebrate. Students had the opportunity to discuss the program with Representative Swan. Most students, such as Ashley Diaz, admitted that they were skeptical of the program in the beginning, but as time went by, they grew to appreciate the program and the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. Representative Swan encouraged the students to learn to write by reading and practicing writing. During the luncheon Swan challenged the students, “Do not wait for instructions from a teacher and do not wait for assignments, read ahead.”

There are approximately 90 students participating in the Springfield Amer-I-Can Program. The program will continue until school ends in June. For more information contact Dean Renfrow at 503-391-2685 or visit the Amer-I-Can website at http://amer-i-can.org. In addition, please feel free to contact the office of State Representative Benjamin Swan at 413-739-8547. n