Mission Statement

Empowering young people to make more informed life decisions; and enabling parents and educators to better understand their impact in the lives of young people.

Program Cornerstones

1. Popular youth culture (i.e. music, advertising, movies, television) has a profound influence on the way students think, act, spend their resources and relate to their peers, teachers, families and environment.
   
   
2. There is a natural, generational "cultural divide" and resulting communication barrier that exists between adult and adolescent culture.
   
   
3. While it is difficult for adults to communicate within the context of popular youth culture, it is often impossible for an adolescent to communicate within the context of adult culture because of a modicum of life experience.
   
   
4. In order for parents and educators to maximize their relationships with young people, and to effectively communicate across that "cultural divide", they must learn to understand and interpret the language and environment of today's popular youth culture and meet young people "right where they are".
   
   
5. True CHARACTER is forged out on the anvil of relationships that are based on truth, trust and a personal willingness to seek the highest and best interest of others.

ACE Definition of Character

"The courage to do the right thing just because it's the right thing to do."