This year the Scotty Monteiro Jr, Foundation brought Rachel’s Challenge – Anti Bullying, Chain Reaction to the Wareham Public Schools. This program is designed to teach students about the ramifications of bullying and the tremendous consequences of those actions.

About Rachel’s Challenge

Each day 160,000 students do not go to school because they are bullied, teased and harassed. By turning the story of a tragic death at Columbine High School into a mission for change, Rachel’s Challenge is helping create safer learning environments and making a world-wide impact.

Rachel’s Challenge is a series of student empowering programs and strategies that equip students and adults to combat bullying and allay feelings of isolation and despair by creating a culture of kindness and compassion. The programs are based on the writings and life of 17 year-old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different, who were picked on by others, or who were new at her school. Shortly before her death she wrote,

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Rachel’s Challenge was started by Rachel’s dad and stepmom, Darrell and Sandy Scott when they realized that the writings and drawings Rachel left not only had an impact on her friends and classmates, but also resonated with students around the world. Although Rachel was a typical teenager who even wrote about her “ups and downs,” she had a passion and conviction that she would someday change the world. The Scott family knew her story and passion had to be told to inspire others to make their world a better place.

More than 18 million people have been touched by Rachel’s message, and they continue the legacy of making a difference in their communities. Each year at least 2 million more people are added to that number. These are just a couple of the results of Rachel’s Challenge. In one survey, 78% of students indicated they would definitely intervene in a bullying incident in their school after seeing Rachel’s Challenge. In the last 3 years, Rachel’s Challenge has received nearly 500 unsolicited emails from students stating that after hearing Rachel’s story they reached out for help as they were contemplating suicide. Some even state that “Rachel saved their life”.

Rachel’s Challenge is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organization based in Littleton, Colorado.
www.rachelschallenge.org

Speaking Event
Friday, February 17th 2012

Wareham Middle School and Wareham High School

Chris Herren is a MA local who attended Durfee High School. He later played professional basketball for the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, his career was cut short by drugs. He has been drug free since 2008 and is now a sought-after motivational speaker.

Because drugs and violence go hand-in-hand, The Scotty Monteiro Jr. Foundation decided to sponsor this speaking engagement. This is all possible due to contributions from you – the supporters of the Scotty Monteiro Jr. Foundation fundraising events. We would like to remind you that in addition to attending the events, you can also donate any time simply by clicking on the “Donate” button at the bottom of our main page.

As always, thank you for your continuing support!

Sunday, January 29th 2012

Salerno’s Function Hall, Onset Ave.
Onset, MA

(above Marc Anthony’s pizza)

Download the official flyer HERE