Why ARK?

Low self-esteem is the root cause of adolescent violence, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and gang activity. If a young person does not feel good about himself, he will “cave in” to the coercion of his peers in hopes of winning the approval and acceptance of others. New, ground-breaking research conducted by the ARKGroup in cooperation with the University of Texas School of Public Health (Houston) provides a new paradigm for understanding how self-esteem is generated in children. This research shows the essential connection between a child’s sense of self-esteem and the quality of his relationships with the primary adults (parents, teachers, counselors, etc.) in his life. ARK teaches adults to relate to kids in caring, supportive ways that enable youngsters to feel valued and loved and that elevate children’s self-esteem.

How ARK Works

In response to this research, the ARKGroup has created the ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) Program. Utilizing a small group, peer-mentoring format, ARK combines cutting-edge self-esteem research with the very best in current parenting and teaching theory. The result is a learning environment in which adults can appropriate new parenting and teaching skills and can increase their ability to give young people the love and the nurture that allows children to value themselves. ARK helps parents and teachers to address the practical aspects of parenting and teaching--dealing with topics such as homework, sibling rivalry, and bully-proofing. Meeting once a week, ARK Groups encourage humor and compassion as adults learn to discipline the behavior while still affirming the worth of the child. Parenting behaviors typically are passed on from generation to generation within families, usually without anyone stepping back and evaluating those behaviors and deciding upon new and more appropriate ways of relating to their children. ARK helps adults learn how to discipline the behavior while still affirming the worth of the child. The program is a tool for encouraging a process of evaluation, thereby enabling families to set in motion new parenting patterns that will enhance the lives of their children and their children's children for generations to come. Who is ARK For?

ARK currently is being shared in schools, churches, prisons, juvenile courts, women’s shelters, childcare facilities, and corporations (as an employee benefit). It is research-based and field-tested. ARK makes a tremendous difference in the quality of life shared by children and their families! ARK is for great families with great kids—whose parents want to do an even better job at the most important, most difficult task in the world. It is also for at-risk families whose parents want some tools for creating love-based, respectful relationships with their children.

ARK Goals Teach and model the revolutionary power of unconditional love and respect Build better families and classrooms Reduce juvenile and adult violence by improving self-esteem Make ARKparenting the norm for the 21st century family, church, school, and community

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