Programs

Future Possibilities for Kids (FPK) currently runs the Ready, Set, Goal! and KidCouncil programs in Toronto, York Region and London, Ontario.

Ready, Set, Goal! Program

Ready, Set, Goal! (RSG) is the entry-level program in Future Possibilities. We describe it to interested 8- to -12-year-old children this way:

A Future Possibilitarian is a Kid who wants to set and accomplish a goal to make the world a better place. Goals can be about anything. Future Possibilities encourages you to have a goal that helps someone or something. We call this a 'Goal of Contribution'. When you commit yourself to helping others, you learn to help yourself! Once you have a goal, you make a plan and then you take action to achieve it. Your KidCoach will support you every step of the way. - Kid Application '07-8

Our programs are offered free-of-charge in communities that don't run a lot of enrichment activities for the children who live there. We invite schools in these communities to nominate up to 20 Grade 4, 5 and 6 potential leaders to apply to become Future Possibilitarians. FPK then selects 10 participants (we call them "Kids") per school.

We grow leaders among the child and youth population of high-need communities by bolstering children's self respect, self-esteem, and self-worth through supported accomplishment.

The children quickly discover that it's a privilege to be part of Future Possibilities. All of our Kids are paired with their very own "KidCoach", an adult volunteer we train to partner with the children to help grow their leadership skills. RSG is based on a trademarked, fun-filled curriculum and Activity Book that were specially designed to help Kids develop an appreciation of themselves, develop life skills and achieve positive, community-oriented goals.

Our Kids really love our four Activity days that bring them and their coaches together face-to-face. At these Activity Days, Kids make friends with lots of other Kids and KidCoaches as they take part in cool activities, exciting presentations and eat lots of good food. The Kids and KidCoaches also get to speak to one another every week (for about 15 to 20 minutes on the phone) over 22 weeks. In person and on the phone, the KidCoaches laugh and learn together.

Over time, the Kids and coaches develop rapport and trust. The Kids get to know lots of successful adults who serve as positive role models. In this way, the children gain an awareness of life and career options that go beyond their own life experience.

While the RSG program has the greatest impact on the 10 Future Possibilitarians chosen at each school, our programs also have an amazing ripple effect! You see, our Future Possibilitarians typically "recruit" five others (classmates, friends, family, neighbours, etc.) to help in the planning of their goals. On average, an additional 30 people become involved in each goal "roll-out", whether it's at a school assembly, bake sale, tennis tournament or magic show. That means it's not unusual for 300 people to become part of one school community's Future Possibilities' goals.

Our children's accomplishments are our accomplishments. Here are some of the ways our children have led their peers in transforming their worlds, one goal at a time:

• Maria ran a poster contest to increase awareness about how war affects children
• Zack spearheaded the collection of over 700 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local food bank
• Katlynne formed a Friendship Club for newcomers to her school
• Richard published a book of mystery stories, written and illustrated by his schoolmates, which he then distributed to children undergoing chemotherapy
• Naveed acquired six new laptops for his out-of-date school computer lab

As they set, plan and achieve their goals, our Kids develop a wide range of valuable skills and principles, such as:

Self-expression
Time management
Anger management
Effective listening and talking
Commitment
Accountability
Responsibility for self
Money management
Organization
Optimism
Punctuality
Resilience
Courage
Positive Risk-taking
Discovering one's values, interests and abilities
Handling failure, disappointment, criticism
Goal conception, planning and accomplishment
Developing awareness of, and empathy for, other people's feelings and opinions

After graduating from the RSG program, these young leaders have the attitudes and skills that will help them play positive roles in their schools and communities.

KidCouncil

The KidCouncil (KCL) was launched in 2003 because many RSG graduates wanted to stay connected to Future Possibilities and to continue growing as leaders after accomplishing their individual Goals of Contribution.

Currently, there are approximately 50 children involved in our KCL programs in Toronto, York Region and London. These pre-teen and adolescent KidCouncillors engage in team Goals of Contribution in one of our KCL Social Action Teams: The Green Team, Talk-Abilities, Yearbook, and The Promo Squad - all of which are dedicated to promoting altruism, social action, community connections and "The Power of Possible Thinking". Our KidCouncillors mentor our Future Possibilitarians at Activity Days and play leadership roles in their school communities based on the skills they acquired in the RSG program.

Program Funding

FPK is funded by governments, institutions, foundations, corporations and individuals with administrative cost accounting for less than 15% of annual expenditures.

Back to Top