Hi, Dana,

Thanks for your interest in Purpose Bound. The easiest way to introduce you to our method would be to show you the materials we use (which I cannot do on the site). Each participant gets a set of workbooks. A “Purpose Discovery Guide”, and a “Discovery Database”. The program was developed by psychologists, originally for adults going through career transitions. Purpose Bound sought out the best method available, and selected this one which we licensed from Sam Kirk & Associates. We then worked for several years with youths, to modify the content, language and positioning, in order to make it relevant to teenagers and very young adults. As a result, we have a unique process, tested and proven by those who use it.
The program guides the student through three phases of personal discovery.
1. Know Yourself
2. Articulate your societal contribution
3. Create a plan for bringing your contribution to fruition

The first phase of the program is fundamentally built on a working assumption that each young person needs to develop an ability to see themselves as highly valued members of their communities, that each of them has something to offer, and it is through focusing on their unique assets, and strengthening them through education and personal development that they can provide services to communities which, in turn, will give them a sense of value, a sense of accomplishments, money and means to live a respectable meaningful, and satisfying life.

It is in the second phase that we utilize the “secret ingredient”. In this phase
we guide each student through the development of a personal mission statement. One that is founded upon meeting a need of someone other than themselves. This is the “secret ingredient” of the program. As you may attest it is through the service of others that we as individuals find our true significance and fulfillment. In writing their mission statement the student goes through a paradigm shift in their thinking. They leave the old, and commonplace mindset of, “how will my efforts benefit me”, “what will be fun for me”, etc. . To a mindset of “how will my efforts make a difference in the world around me”, “who’s life will I improve as a result of my efforts.” This transformation and new way of thinking is significant and very powerful. For many of these young men it is the first time that they have realized that they have the capacity to make a real, significant, and positive difference in the world. For many it is the first time that their lives have meaning and significance. The light bulb goes on, the enthusiasm goes up, hope returns, a positive outlook bound by determination emerges. It is beautiful to watch.

Finally a very specific plan is developed to make their mission/goals/vision real and tangible, and to guarantee successful implementation. The plan becomes the glue that ties many people who help guide the young men on their journey: sometimes it's their probation officer, case worker, perhaps a parent or guardian, a counselor, or anyone else they engage with. Their "Discovery Database" helps them articulate what they stand for and what they aspire to, and what they set out to accomplish. This information, which most kids are unable to articulate on their own, is invaluable in aiding those who work to guide the young men toward success.

Our program has served incarcerated youths, youths on probation, youths at risk of dropping out of school, as well as youths who otherwise suffer from lack of focus leading to at risk behavior.

Again Dana I really appreciate your in-depth questions.
You also asked “you list a huge number of changes that you are working towards - which one do you think is the most important? What is the focus of Purpose Bound?”

Please recall that we state that these are some of the changes that we have witnessed in the youth that we have worked with. It is not our direct intention to work towards all of these outcomes. In fact, very often when I discuss the outcomes that we work to achieve I often talk about the tangible and the intangible outcomes. Some of what you read in our list represents the intangible outcomes. Our primary objectives, and the focus of Purpose Bound are as follows.

1. To help young men to recognize that they are significant and valued members of their community. ?Increase their self-image.
2. To create a paradigm shift in their thinking which results in a mindset of service. Helping them to center their life’s efforts on meeting one of the many needs in the world around them. ? Inspire them towards accomplish, including academic achievement.
3. Aid them in the creation of a tangible and achievable plan that they feel they can execute, and one that clearly guides them to living the purposeful life they have invisioned. ?Empower them to live a life of Purpose.

Again I greatly appreciate your interest and your questions. If you would like further clarification, please do not hesitate to to write.

Sincerely,

Reggie Kellum

Hi Reggie, You mention that Purpose Bound offers highly effective proven set of tools and steps to engage young men. Could you expand upon that and share with us what those "proven" set of tools are that you use to engage people in your program? What is this secret formula that you talk about? Also, you list a huge number of changes that you are working towards - which one do you think is the most important? What is the focus of Purpose Bound? Thanks!
Dana Frasz
Changemakers