Director, Hashim Garrett
Hashim Garrett was a victim of senseless street violence at the age of 15 and, after a difficult recovery, has dedicated his life to educate youth about conflict resolution and forgiveness.
"This is the kind of program that should be made mandatory to all high school students. It crosses age and ethnic boundaries and it stimulates conversation which leads to putting students on the right track. "
Ariana Weitzman
Peer Mediation Coordinator, New Utrecht High School
What Kids Are Saying
- "Mr. Garrett is a powerful man...What [he] said to us made me think about the kids I hang out with and to be careful with what I do." Christopher
- "I was really moved by his story, and how he chose to forgive and live a peaceful life." Egzon
- "He proved to us that there are a lot of bad things that can happen from fighting but very few good things." Zaid
- "He showed us that the decisions we make can affect our loved ones. I also learned that forgiveness is avery important thing [and] hatred does nothing but kill from your inside out." Reymi
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In-school club
The Role Model Club can be a stand-alone club operated in a school or an offshoot of an existing club, such as a peer counseling organization, school safety initiative, or community outreach/volunteer club. The in-school club is adult-supervised, youth-led, with all activities conducted under the guidance of a faculty member, school-based law enforcement officer or parent coordinator. The in-school club members are encouraged to join the virtual club which will afford additional opportunities for participation in positive productive activities. -
Virtual club
Schools with student interest that lack a club advisor may direct students to The Guardian Angels Role Model Zone, a website that offers opportunities to nominate role models, submit articles, report community service projects and volunteer activities, and earn points that qualify the students for incentives including certificates, medals, T-shirts and red berets
" Kids Sticking Up for Kids"
Initially, this Guardian Angels program was developed to hold out a friendly hand to children who are bullied, harassed or excluded. Through the club, students engaged in activities designed to raise the level of civility, kindness, and tolerance in their schools through proactive positive role-modeling. "Kids Sticking Up for Kids" became a reality as students became ambassadors of kindness and watched out for each other. Students involved in the Role Model Club also helped staff members become aware of students who are affected by negative or aggressive behavior.
Students meet on a regular basis to identify barriers and craft measures to help overcome them. They develop plans, follow up with actions, and re-group to discuss successes, partial successes and failures and ways to redesign actions as needed and try something new.
The intention of the Club is to help students:
- Understand that no student has the right to bully or harass other students
- Learn empowerment strategies and coping skills necessary to counteract negative influences within the community
- Recognize the importance of "sticking up" for each other
- Learn the importance of the individual in making a change in society
