About Us
Reading Efficiency
At Encouragement-Wired we believe strongly in education (regardless of age), striving for excellence, leadership, and serving others. The educational careers of 25 to 40 percent of American children are imperiled because they don’t read well enough, quickly enough or easily enough. (Committee on Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children of the National Research Council, 1998) It is estimated that more than $2 billion is spent each year on students who repeat a grade because they have reading problems. (U.S. Dept of health and Human Services)
Since 1983, more than 10 million Americans reached the 12th grade without having learned to read at a basic level. In the same period, more than 6 million Americans dropped out of high school altogether. (A Nation Still at Risk, U.S. Dept of Education)
It is estimated that the cost of illiteracy to business and the taxpayer is $20 billion per year.(United Way, “Illiteracy: A National Crisis”)
More than 20% of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level – far below the level needed to earn a living wage. (National Institute for Literacy)
- Of all the African American and other under-privileged fourth graders, 58% are functionally illiterate
- 85% of African American and other minority children are reading below grade point level
- In many states, 80% of Mexican and African American boys drop out of high school before graduating
Approximately 50% of the nation’s unemployed youth age 16-21 are functional illiterate, with virtually no prospects of obtaining good jobs. (U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services)
More than three out of four of those on welfare, 85% of unwed mothers and 68% of those arrested are illiterate. About three in five of America’s prison inmates are illiterate. (Washington Literacy Council)
To participate fully in society and the workplace in 2020, citizens will need powerful literacy abilities that until now have been achieved by only a small percentage of the population. (National Council on Teachers of English Standards for the English Language Arts)
Young Men Without Fathers
In our culture there is a serious lack of elders. In the United States alone, there are over 25 million youth growing up fatherless. Countless statistics tell us that children from fatherless homes are more likely to drop out of school, become teenage parents, join gangs and experiment with drugs.
When fathers willfully abandon a generation, it leaves millions of boys lost. When a father leaves, not for war or courage or self-sacrifice, but for convenience and self-interest it shakes the village. Boys are stuck trying to sort out the echo stirring by themselves. Our MissionThe mission of The Encouragement-Wired Foundation for Young Men Without Fathers is to share, teach and demonstrate the principles of manhood to young men, enabling them to achieve their dreams and become men who are strong in faith, confident in who they are, humble, responsible and productive.
Goals of the ProgramThe goal of Young Men Without Fathers is to break the misguided traits of manhood and introduce role models who provide examples of manhood.
The aim of the Encouragement-Wired mentoring program is to instill the following principles in the boys who take part in our programs:
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Respect
- Honesty
- Commitment
- Patience
- Discipline
- Service
- Courage
- Accountability
What is Mentoring?
- A Matter of Trust
- A structured and trusting relationship that brings young men together with caring and accountable individuals who offer guidance, support, and encouragement aimed at developing the young person's competence, self-esteem and character.
Why is Mentoring Important?Sobering statistics are real. At-risk children and adolescents desperately need guidance and mentors to reverse these trends. Statistics show that:
- Of all the African American and other under-privileged fourth graders, 58% are functionally illiterate
- 85% of African American and other minority children are reading below grade point level
- In many states, 80% of Mexican and African American boys drop out of high school before graduating
- Every day 1,000 minority and disenfranchised children are arrested
Boys raised in low-income, single mother households:
- Are 9 times more likely to drop out of school
- Are 20 times more likely to go to jail
- Are 20 times more likely to have behavioral problems
- Are 10 times more likely to abuse substances
Children aspire to be what they see."To me, being a man means being kind, generous, and a good provider. The most important part of being a man is being strong of character. Having the self-confidence to handle any situation you face, whether you live in the city and face traffic, congestion and crowds, or you live in remote areas with wild animals and inclement weather. And it's a quiet self-confidence. A strong, self-confident man doesn't announce his strength to the world. He leads by example. He's the guy who steps up and takes charge when a challenge is faced, and then quietly fades into the background when the issue is resolved."
"To see a man beaten not by a better opponent, but by himself, is a tragedy." - Constantine "Cus" D'Amato
The message is clear: Hope matters. Hope is a choice. Hope can be learned. Hope is contagious.
John Sowers, author of The Heroic Path has said, "This generation has been wounded the most in relationships - it is in relationships where the healing must begin." We believe that mentoring is the way to change the fatherless story.
Leadership
The world students are graduating into has never been more complex. Options are everywhere.
Our world is desperate for leaders who know where they're going. The average college student changes their major four times. The average American makes seven major life decisions. Five of those are made in college.
We want to help turn everyday students into growing leaders who will transform society. Providing student leadership training and resources targeted for the Millennial generation and Generation Z, we help young adults discover their purpose, equip them for leadership development and show them how to use their gifts to serve the world around them.
