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At notMYkid we prepare kids to face everyday challenges with courage and confidence. Through our unique education model of peer-to-peer education we address the life-changing issues of: Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Bullying, Unhealthy Relationships, Eating Disorders, Depression/Self Injury, and Internet Safety. With prevention at the forefront of all programming – rather than intervention – our mission is to reach young people who fight internal battles about what is “right” and “wrong,” and to provide them with the knowledge and resources that empower them to make positive choices in difficult situations.

YOUTH EDUCATION: amplif(i)


Goal: Empower and educate youth to amplify their voices to overcome life’s challenges through peer-to-peer education.

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PARENT & FACULTY EDUCATION


Goal: Empower and educate families and communities with the knowledge and courage to identify and prevent negative youth behavior.

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YOUTH EDUCATION: amplif(i)

Our amplif(i) Youth Education presentations focus on drug abuse, alcohol abuse, bullying, unhealthy relationships, eating disorders, depression/self injury, and internet safety. Based on the understanding that young people are more likely to listen to their peers, presenters are young adults who range in age from 18-30 and who have completed (at minimum) a 20-hour training program. Group sizes range from small (a single classroom) to large (an auditorium with 400+ kids). Youth presenters are prepared to share their story as it relates to a particular challenge, the consequences they faced, and how they found help in overcoming it. While time is always allotted for a Q & A, the youth presenters often find themselves staying long after the presentation is over to talk one-on-one with those who have questions, personal concerns, or are in need of help. Learn more about amplif(i) below. (Presentations are available in custom packages to fit your needs)
amplif(i) is a peer-to-peer prevention education program that is focused on inspiring positive life choices in youth through the sharing of real life stories. amplif(i) is a program of notMYkid and covers a variety of speaker topics that are meant to inspire and guide youth as they navigate potentially life-derailing challenges such as: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, bullying, unhealthy relationships, eating disorders, depression/self injury, and internet safety. Learn more about the notMYkid amplif(i) program by watching the video at left

PARENT & FACULTY EDUCATION

Parent and Faculty presentations focus specifically on substance abuse, bullying, and internet safety. Parent groups in school settings and myriad other venues, including the workplace (Corporate Lunchbox Education), are eager to participate in programs that help them to understand the daily challenges faced by their kids. Moreover, they are informed about the signs of potential problems before they occur. Our adult presenters must have completed training at notMYkid, where we consistently work with local law enforcement agencies (police and FBI) to update and improve the presentations based on current trends. Sessions with parent and faculty groups last one hour with ample time for questions. Attendees at every parent substance abuse program leave with a complimentary home drug testing kit provided by First Check and a personalized family prevention plan.

CORPORATE LUNCHBOX PRESENTATION

By hosting The Corporate Lunchbox, you can provide valuable information and tools for your employees regarding substance abuse, bullying, and Internet safety for their children. Helping your employees with parenting skills will encourage more positive life choices and allow for more productivity at work. This timely and important education has been a successful addition to many organizations' health and wellness programs.

We have presentations on the following topics:

Preventing Youth Substance Abuse – This workshop is presented by a topic expert to educate your employees about substance abuse trends and warning signs, as well as how to implement a drug prevention program for their family. Complimentary First Check preventative drug test kits will be provided for all attendees.
Bullying – Our Parent and Faculty Educators educate your employees about how bullying affects our youth today, and what we can do as parents and adults to prevent, identify, and help youth navigate bullying.
Internet Safety – Our topic expert presents the dangers youth face when they are online, and the safety measures every person needs to take to ensure their safety.
Check out some of our most recent Corporate Lunchbox Health and Wellness Partners

PARENT & FACULTY EDUCATORS

WORKSHOPS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES


is now a program of notMYkid



Exciting changes are here for notMYkid as we kick off 2018 with the addition of one day workshops and week long summer retreats for youth and teens throughout the Valley. Leadership Workshops Foundation for Youth and Family, dba Workshops for Youth and Families, formally announced their plans to transition their programs to notMYkid following three decades of service strengthening Arizona families. The Founder, Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger, affectionately known to kids as Dr. Franny, stepped back from the helm of the organization and gifted this award-winning and established Valley program to notMYkid to continue the legacy of peer to peer mentoring and building long-lasting connections for youth. Leadership Workshops Foundation for Youth and Families formally closed its operation as of December 1, 2016, and their signature program, Workshops for Youth and Families, will maintain its name and integrity and continue to thrive under the leadership of the notMYkid team. The best part of this gift is having Dr. Franny alongside our team who will continue to assist, mentor and provide specialty pieces, alongside seasoned Workshop facilitators and the notMYkid team.


To learn more about the Workshops for Youth and Family program and/or register for one or more of the upcoming Workshops, please contact notMYkid at workshops@notMYkid.org.
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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PACKAGES

notMYkid offers comprehensive educational program packages. These packages include presentations and trainings for students, parents, and faculty on topics such as substance abuse*, bullying, unhealthy relationships, eating disorders, depression/self injury, and internet safety. The presentations can be grouped into an educational program series.

7 Speaker Series

  • 4 amplif(i) Student Presentations
  • 2 Parent Presentations
  • 1 Faculty Training Session

5 Speaker Series

  • 2 amplif(i) Student Presentations
  • 2 Parent Presentations
  • 1 Faculty Training Session

* Each parent presentation on substance abuse includes a home drug test kit for all who attend ($40 value).

Presentations are available in custom packages to fit your needs, please contact us to schedule a presentation that works for your organization.

  • “Thank you for taking the time to talk to us about healthy relationships. We learned that not only do we have someone to talk to in a bad situation, but that we have a voice.”

    -student

  • “You taught us that bullying can change your life and impact others.”

    -student

  • “The presentation makes me want to talk to someone when I am having problems.”

    -student

  • “The presentation taught me that I have healthy relationships with some, but not so much with others—and how to fix them.”

    -student

  • “I learned that bad decisions can have bad consequences, probably consequences that can haunt you for the rest of your life.”

    -student

  • “Drugs are a big issue here and it was nice to hear how it impacted your life, because now I have yet another reason to say no to things like that. Hearing your story was really sad but it really put things in perspective for me.”

    -student

  • “Hearing your story and being able to relate that to my brother made me feel like there is still hope for him. I worry about him day in and day out and knowing that someone else was able to overcome it, makes me feel like he can too.”

    -student

  • “In all honesty, I’m not completely sure I realized the full extent of drug use before you talked to our class. I knew drugs were bad for people, but I’m not sure it really clicked until I heard someone talk about it from experience.”

    -student

  • “The presentation caused me to think about being more careful with who I want to be my friend and to make sure they don’t peer pressure me.”

    -student

  • “You have really changed my life. I look up to you. I used to cut myself, but your life changed my actions. I stood up for myself and told the social worker.”

    -student

  • “I truly think sharing a story like yours will prevent drug and alcohol use in teens, as well as bring those already using to (get) help.”

    -student

  • “I see anti-drug commercials and billboards often, but nothing compares to the effect of your speech.”

    -student

  • Suzanne

    (i) am fabulous

    Bullying

    After I suffered a year of bullying, a bystander finally spoke up on my behalf. It made a major difference in my life. It was then that I was inspired to do the same for other people who were being bullied. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let young people know how important they are, how much they matter, and that they have a purpose. I now use my story to help them find the confidence to take control and do something awesome with their lives.

  • Zachary

    (i) am alive

    Substance Abuse

    I lost three years of my life to substance abuse. After finally getting caught, I realized that the people around me wanted a better life for me. That caused me to want the same for myself. I was determined to turn my negative experience with substance abuse into something positive, so I began speaking for notMYkid. I’m over two and a half years into my recovery, and now use my story to inspire kids to make positive life choices. It’s important to me that kids understand the value of healthy activities and true friendship, and realize that the choices they make determine their happiness.

  • Sol

    (i) am valuable

    Bullying

    For 18 years, I suffered from bullying. I began making negative choices and my life got worse over time. I hit rock bottom and ended up in legal trouble. It was then that I knew I had to reach out and ask for help. I’m now five years into my recovery and thankful for the opportunity to speak for amplif(i). I want to let kids know that there is always hope, and that the future can be beautiful if we choose to make positive choices. Value who you are, and remember that any passing moment is a chance to turn everything around.

  • Brenna

    (i) am cleansed

    Bullying

    For a number of years, I struggled with issues including bullying, depression, unhealthy relationships, and substance abuse. I finally reached out for help when I realized the toll that my choices were having on me and my loved ones. Now two years into my recovery, I decided to speak for amplif(i) because I want to help others through sharing my story. Through sharing my story, I hope to help others understand that help is available in a number of places, including places you could never even imagine.  No matter how alone you may feel, you are never alone.

  • Calista

    (i) am loved

    Unhealthy Relationships

    For many years of my life I was caught up in unhealthy relationships. It would have made a huge difference to me to have someone reach out to me on a personal level, rather than simply telling me what I was doing wrong. Now, more than a year into my recovery, I have the chance to be that person who reaches out. After experiencing the things I lived through, I want to help children and teens who are going through similar situations. I want others to know that, no matter who they are, they deserve to have all of the love, happiness, and respect in the world.

  • Crystal

    (i) am determined

    Substance Abuse

    I struggled with substance abuse for a decade before I decided that I needed to change.  I wanted my children to see the real me, the person I am capable of being.  I’m now eight years into my recovery and using my experience to help others understand there is always hope.  I speak for amplif(i) so I can let young people know that every minute of every day they have a chance to make their life the way they want it to be.  Those minutes soon add up to days, weeks, months, years, and eventually the rest of your life.  Never give up.  You only fail when you stop trying.

  • Meghan

    (i) am growth

    Unhealthy Relationships

    Starting in my early teenage years, unhealthy relationships became a part of my life. Those unhealthy relationships began to damage the healthy relationships I had, and resulted in me making a number of bad decisions. After asking for help and getting away from unhealthy relationships, things changed for the better. Now nearly three years into my recovery, I am excited to speak for amplif(i) to make a difference in the lives of students. I want them to know they’re not alone, they can succeed, and it’s important for them to ask for help when they need it.

  • Tomas Barraza

    (i) am a leader

    Body Image/Self Esteem, Bullying, Depression / Self Injury, Internet Safety, Substance Abuse, Unhealthy Relationships

    Tomas has a passion for empowering adults to prevent negative youth behavior and inspiring youth to make positive life choices. His work as a Youth Development Coach for kids in foster care continued into his current position as a Prevention Specialist with notMYkid. In this role Tomas educates youth and adults from across the nation on life skills and prevention strategies to help kids reach their full potential. Since joining the notMYkid team in 2014 he has directly impacted communities through over 350 speaking engagements to an audience of over 50,000 at schools, organizations, conferences, corporations, and community groups. His experience with the Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission has inspired student leaders from counties across the state to proactively address challenges their peers are facing today. As the Chair of the Tempe Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking and Substance Use, Tomas works with the committee to highlight awesome and fun alternatives so that youth have something better to do. In his spare time you can likely find Tomas hanging out with his family, on a hiking trail with friends, finding the best slice of pizza, or beatboxing till his face turns blue..

  • John Iannarelli

    Phoenix FBI


    John has been an agent with the FBI for 18 years, specializing in Cyber investigations. He has been assigned to Detroit, San Diego, Washington, DC, and Phoenix, where he currently serves as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge, the FBI’s number two position in Arizona. In 2012 Mr. Iannarelli received an Honorary Doctorate of Computer Science for his contributions to the field of Cyber investigations. He has presented at national and international gatherings, to include Fortune 500 companies, law enforcement agencies, and the Vatican.  He is the author of several books, including his recently released “Why Teens Fail and What to Fix” which is a guide to protecting children from Internet dangers.
     

    Previously, Mr. Iannarelli served as a San Diego Police Officer and he is an attorney admitted to the bars of California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Mr. Iannarelli’s work as an educator with notMYkid enables him to continue to give back to the community by directly contributing to the protection of our children.

  • Joronda Montaño


    Joronda Montaño joins notMYkid as the new Program Director overseeing youth and adult programs brought to communities and schools across the State of Arizona.

     

    For the past 13 years Joronda has worked as a professional Preventionist spending the last 3 years developing strategic plans, training coalitions, writing and reviewing federal grants. Prior to Independent Consulting she served as the Director of Prevention at Community Bridges Inc. (CBI) developing and implementing evidence based programs and strategies. She has a talent for motivating people to work towards common goals and successfully organized both small multi-disciplinary teams and a large community coalition. She has direct experience implementing SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework and led the Mesa Prevention Alliance to the acquisition of a Drug Free Communities Grant funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Joronda is comfortable building relationships and has ties to schools, law enforcement, local businesses, health professionals, and youth. She is knowledgeable on underage drinking, synthetic drugs, and suicide.

     

    Joronda is passionate about helping youth and communities overcome challenges and has broad experience in diverse communities worldwide. International travel and volunteer projects have taken her to 13 different countries on 5 different continents.

     

    She offers a breadth of experience in public speaking and group training and is a master level Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST). Joronda is also an Arizona Credentialed Prevention Professional Level 4 (ACPP IV) and is a two time graduate of Arizona State University (Go Devils) with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and a Master’s of Public Administration.

     

    She and her husband Mateo live in Phoenix with their 4 beautiful children.

  • Tomas Barraza


    Tomas has a passion for empowering adults to prevent negative youth behavior and inspiring youth to make positive life choices. His work as a Youth Development Coach for kids in foster care continued into his current position as a Prevention Specialist with notMYkid. In this role Tomas educates youth and adults from across the nation on life skills and prevention strategies to help kids reach their full potential. Since joining the notMYkid team in 2014 he has directly impacted communities through over 350 speaking engagements to an audience of over 50,000 at schools, organizations, conferences, corporations, and community groups. His experience with the Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission has inspired student leaders from counties across the state to proactively address challenges their peers are facing today. As the Chair of the Tempe Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking and Substance Use, Tomas works with the committee to highlight awesome and fun alternatives so that youth have something better to do. In his spare time you can likely find Tomas hanging out with his family, on a hiking trail with friends, finding the best slice of pizza, or beatboxing till his face turns blue.

  • Sarah Tisdon


    In 2010, Sarah began working for notMYkid with a passion to use her story to help others. As a Prevention Specialist, Sarah implements prevention education and training programs statewide. She continues to share her inspirational story on multiple topics to youth, parents, and school faculty. Sarah is a safeTALK Trainer and has received Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). During rare moments of free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games, crafting the perfect sandwich, Krav Maga, and a good nap.

Get Involved

parents

Navigating the adolescent years is one of the largest and toughest responsibilities we will face as parents. It is scary to see someone that you care about engage in harmful choices. We are here to help you to prevent your child from making damaging life choices.

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students

We're here to help you face and overcome potentially life-derailing challenges. Discover the many ways in which you can amplif(i) your voice in the name of making good decisions. We're here as an informative, inspirational resource as we share our personal stories. Join the movement by sharing your story and speaking up for yourself and the people you love who may be going through a hard time.

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educators

You are an educator, influential in the lives of the students and parents you serve. Creating a positive culture within your classroom starts and ends with you. We are here as a resource for your school to make sure every classroom environment is one that is conducive to positive learning and growth.

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602-652-0163
5230 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85254

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