The ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) Program is based upon research conducted by the ARKGroup in cooperation with the University of Texas School of Public Health. This ground-breaking research revealed a new paradigm for creating self-esteem in children. Rather than being a product of performance, high self-esteem is generated by a child’s receiving unconditional love from an adult (parent, teacher, counselor, etc.) who is central in the child’s life.

ARK helps adults learn how to discipline inappropriate behavior while still affirming the worth of the child. In enabling children to value themselves in spite of their imperfections, it provides young people with the ego strength to say “no” to negative peer pressure.

Impacting the Quality of Life through Neighborhood Organizations

The ARK Program has a stellar impact upon the lives of young people and their families through its implementation in entities such as neighborhood centers, homeless shelters, after-school programs, and women’s shelters. ARK for Parents (in both English and Spanish), ARK for Teens, and ARK for Children can help families learn to relate to one another with mutual love and respect.

Houston’s primary shelter for the homeless, the Star of Hope, reports great success in employing ARK to change the family behavior patterns that lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.