About Us
We are a non-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. I have created nine characters which each represent a trait. In 2005 we won an award through the Character Education Partnership in Washington D.C. I have put together a complete program to help educators teach character to their students, which today is required by law. These characters help children to internalize what each trait means. This in turn helps them to make good choices in their daily lives. Children learn how to be respectful of themselves, others and the world around them.
Who We Are
We are a non-for-profit organization raising awareness to our children about what good character really is. I have created nine characters which each represent a trait. In 2005 we won an award through the Character Education Partnership in Washington D.C. I have put together a complete program to help educators teach character to their students, which today is required by law. These characters help children to internalize what each trait means. This in turn helps them to make good choices in their daily lives. Children learn how to be respectful of themselves, others and the world around them.
Our Organization's Mission
Our mission is to promote and teach young children character education. The program helps to establish a foundation of good social and interpersonal skills to children at an early age, a time when children begin to experience and embed such attributes in their behavior.
Who We Serve
We serve young children so they can internalize good characteristics and also remind adults about good character traits.
Our Programs
We offer a complete program kit with social stories written in English and Spanish. These social stories represent traits based on nine different characters. Each character has a binder filled with reproducible awards, journal entries, coloring pages, classroom contests, and activity pages. We are available to visit schools, libraries and conferences where we suggest ideas on how to effectively use our program. When children are aware of who the characters are and what they represent, I'm confident they will have a favorite. We have products such as t-shirts, tote bags, mouse pad and other visual reminders. These are a few constant reminders to make good choices.
Leadership Profile
I have created these characters years ago as an art project, and today they have much more meaning. I have been a teaching assistant for the past 12 years in the public school system and today I work in a private pre-school center. I believe that our children need good role models and guidance; I share my characters with them to show them that they have character.
Board of Directors
Joni Jeanne Downey, President
Joseph Gerald Downey,Treasurer
Ana L. Geier, Secretary
Board of Advisors
Edna M.Smyth, Advisory Member
Jennifer J. Downey, Marketing Advisor
Major Supporters and Sponsors
My family
The Academy of Stars Pre-school
State Senator Pamela J. Althoff
Congresswoman Melissa L. Bean
Paula Mckay Star 105.5 radio DJ
| Year Founded : |
1999 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
2007 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
3 |
| Volunteers : |
25 |
What Sets Us Apart
“The characters made it simple to explain difficult concepts to even the youngest of students.” Principal Jennifer Glickley
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
Our main goal is to acquire funding to be able to exhibit at conferences, bring our characters to life in costume and share them with communities.
Recent Accomplishments
Recently, I received a letter of support from Congresswoman Melissa Bean, which I feel speaks volumes about our program. And I quote: " I am writing to express my support for the character development program known as Characters of Character, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With the guidance of this program, children learn to follow the many character models provided to them. Thus they begin to understand manners, behavior, responsibility, friendship, and many other virtues in a positive sense. The development of these traits in students fosters a healthy relationship between each other, their elders, and facilitates their engagement in education and learning. By helping our children to build a strong moral background we are helping them to understand the necessary skills needed in their everyday life as students and members of their community. As a nation, the benefit and potential in teaching young children the proper interpersonal behavior is crucial. These abilities, which our young generation will acquire today, will make it possible for them to pursue unique and great endeavors in the future. Strengthening America by providing the means for our future leaders to grow in is a meaningful and necessary task to accomplish. I proudly and confidently support the Characters of Character program and the social skills that it teaches young children to adopt.”
