Share That You Care Program

Share That You Care is a unique program that empowers youth to make a difference starting with themselves and then with each other. The program’s questions encourage each participant to think about how they have felt in specific situations and then consider how others may feel in the same situation. They explore ways that they can demonstrate their caring to others in a non-threatening way utilizing the Caring Coins as tangible reminders of their caring. Each participant receives a Caring Coin as a "check-in" coin for themselves. They also receive a Caring Coin to share which empowers them to reach out to others. College students have shared Caring Coins at their Diversity Appreciation Day as a reminder to appreciate and respect each other.

A Caring Coin Stories Binder is available for the participants to share their Caring Coin story. We recommend that additional Caring Coins be available for the participants.

The Caring Coins make this program unique.

Share That You Care is the result of our participation with teachers, counselors and youth workers who field tested the program with over 700 students from elementary schools, middle/high schools through college. They brainstormed for ways to share caring and hope with others and in turn with themselves utilizing the Caring Coins. The participants agreed that we all can feel alone and without hope at one time or another. They discussed situations where they had felt alone, left out, laughed at or misjudged and determined that often these actions may not be deliberate. They agreed these may be thoughtless acts that if pointed out could be changed.

The participants found that the Caring Coins were easy to share with others, sometimes without having to say anything. They also felt that the coins were a good "check-in" coin for themselves as they make their daily choices. Many keep them in their pocket.

The following are quotes from some youth participants:

• "We can make a difference one Caring Coin at a time."
• "The more we care, the closer we are to world peace."
• "The everyday challenges we face and choices we make can be hard. It's nice to know that someone cares."
• "We all have problems in our life that we may think are the end of the world. My coin reminds me to take a deep breath and see that I'm OK."
• "I love that the coin is made of wood and of the earth and that something so simple could make such a difference in someone's life."
• "It makes me feel good to hear people tell me what receiving the coin means to them."
• "I like having a Caring Coin for myself."

Share That You Care has been successful with elementary, middle/ high school and college students within both small groups and assembly settings.

Contact us for more information about the Share That You Care Program:

info@YouAreNeverAloneFoundation.org