GOALmodels is a weekly, interactive speaking program to motivate youth to have and achieve goals in their lives through the application of positive and responsible lifestyle behaviors. Through the program, students are introduced to corporate executives, political figures, entrepreneurs, media and entertainment personnel that they would not ordinarily interact with. All of the speakers share personal secrets for success as well as mistakes they have made, or lessons they have learned. The two-way discussion is done in a non-threatening way, and encourages students to learn from, rather than envy, highly successful people. The speakers come from diverse cultures and have all overcome obstacles in their lives.

Members of the entertainment and political communities play a major role in the program because the kids are so influenced by them and look to them as role models. Current entertainment speakers include: Brenda Hampton – Creator & Executive Producer 7th Heaven; Chaz Lamar Shepherd – actor 7th Heaven; Tommy 'The Hawk' Hawkins – ex-Laker; Mick Foley - ex-WWF wrestler; Karim Prince – actor; Ray Parker Jr. – musician; Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. – 5th Dimension; Bruce Kalish – Producer The Famous Jett Jackson; Kerry Duff – actress The Famous Jett Jackson; Simbi Williams – actress Third Rock from the Sun; Stephanie Ross – Producer The Tonight Show; Catherine Ryan Hyde – Author Pay It Forward; and Rob Paulsen – voice actor Pinky & the Brain. Additionally, we have welcomed such esteemed political leaders as Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, Senator Richard Alarcon, Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, District Attorney Steve Cooley; and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Wendy Greuel & Dennis Zine.

"It was all about love and people had more respect," said Ray Parker Jr., speaking to students about the changes in music.

Other participants include corporate executives from such companies as Universal Studios, Fox, MCA Records, Deloitte & Touche, U.S. Trust, Los Angeles Times, and State Farm Insurance.

As of April 2000, the program has served over 9,000 youth. The main population consists of high school students, mostly Hispanic and low income, in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. Currently, the program serves approximately 1,180 youth on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, many of the population served have little or no role models in their lives and become attracted to the “gangster” and other negative lifestyles that are glamorized in much of the today’s music, television and movies. What the youth do not understand, however, are the real life consequences (drug addiction, std’s, violence, incarceration, and even death) that often result from engaging in these behaviors. Through the program, students hear personal accounts of real consequences brought on by negative choices, as well as the tremendous joy and success that can be achieved through making positive choices.

The unique aspect of this program is the way the message is given to students. Because so many of them look up to entertainment figures, we bring many of the people involved in that industry into the classroom. The kids find these people exciting and interesting, and are more willing to listen to them.

Many of the participants of the GOALmodels program get involved in one of our three youth groups. The groups are designed to expose youth to cultural and sporting events, get them involved in community service, take them on nature trips and educate them through workshops. It is the goal of PAY to set up youth groups on every campus where there is a GOALmodels program. This gives the students better access to additional resources, mentoring opportunities, and also allows the GOALmodel speakers to come back and work with the kids in a less formal setting.

The long-term goal for participants is that they graduate from high school, focus on positive pursuits (sports, higher education, music), while staying away from negative pursuits (gang activity, violence, teen pregnancy, drugs/alcohol, academic failure). We know we cannot reach every student, however, if we can instill hope and provide tools for success in the majority of students, they can move on to become productive citizens after successfully graduating from high school.

For more information contact:
Annika Smith at (818) 895-5132 or by email