Simply put, groups work!  Besides being a best practices approach to working with adolescents, Kulic, Dagley, and Horne (2001) suggest that using groups for the delivery of prevention services is logical, provides a context for practice and utilization of skills, and results in the dual benefit of reducing problems and increasing competencies.  Wilson and owens (2001) also point out that "group-based delivery of prevention services promotes economical use of intervention resources" (p.246).  According to Corey and Corey (2006), groups provide a context in which people realize that they are not isolated or hopeless; they can create a different life, and gain a sense of community.

We utilize a curriculum specifically designed for middle and high school students.  This curriculum assists our students in planning for the future and learning life skills.  The curriculum is an important component in our program success.

Specifically working with grades 6 through 12, a RMFY group or "club" consists of 15 to 30 students who have been referred to our program.  A trained and qualified RMFY staff member works with other adult volunteers to facilitate RMFY club meetings at school sites on a weekly basis for 45-60 minutes.  During club times, students participate in interpersonal and intrapersonal activities through stuctured life skills lessons, group discussion, career exploration, service learning and/or community engagement through our curriculum.  During club meetings, students have the opportunity to express themselves, gain new skills, self-reflect, and track their own progress.  Through this interaction, students find personal significance in graduation, and create a meaningful plan for post graduation success.