Human Resilience Organization Helping Youth Plant Their Dreams

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - April 20, 2021 - PRLog -- Worldmaker International is kicking off a new Cultivating Resilience™ curriculum developed for underserved schools with a Plant Your Dreams event in partnership The Academy for Personal and Scholastic Success. The Academy, which uses an understanding of African American culture as a keystone for academic achievement and positive behaviors, is dedicated to providing their students with Black teachers, mentors and role models.

"The curriculum offers a four-step process to strengthen students, encourage trusted relationships with community adults, and guide practical actions that nurture a positive vision for a student's future," says Dr. Mollie Marti, Worldmaker CEO and developer of the THRIVE Resilience Model that serves as the foundation for the program.

Prior to the event, Academy students will be guided to name and pursue their truest dreams. At the event, students will then place their dreams in the ground as they plant a Liberty apple tree provided by The Big Apple Orchard, which is co-owned by Dr. Marti and her husband, Monte. The year long curriculum includes financial literacy, youth resilience building, and community-based dream achievement activities.

Dr. Ruth White, Executive Director of The Academy, says this type of innovative programming plays a pivotal role not only in meeting student's social, emotional, and mental needs, but also in successful recruiting, "We are delighted to partner with Worldmaker International in this festive event that brings our community together and helps local families understand the benefits of The Academy's mission and programs."

The Plant Your Dreams event, being held on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at The Big Apple Orchard in Mount Vernon, Iowa, will feature an inspirational roster of Black mentors. Speaker Jimmy Scroggins, an award winning former professional basketball player and soldier, will provide guidance on dream achievement. Participants will enjoy music by international award winning blues artist Kevin Burt and event meals will be provided by Willie Ray's Q Shack food truck, recently recognized for donating thousands of free meals after a derecho in Eastern Iowa and then heading south to Texas to help feed people who lost power after a snowstorm.

Students will share their dreams with community members who attend the event, creating opportunities for supportive conversations and mentorship. "On a practical level, students will learn about tree cultivation and help replace some trees lost during the derecho," says Marti. "Well beyond this, they will have a visible reminder of the need to cultivate their dreams with the support of others -- and enjoy the harvest."

Event planners invite community members to attend the event and ask all to consider offering support to offset event costs and to provide ongoing dream achievement programming to Academy students. For more information, visit https://worldmakerinternational.org/plant-your-dreams/.