Key Issues Addressed by Lions Quest
Bullying
Research has shown that hurtful behaviors such as intimidation, taunting and threats of violence can have long-term detrimental effects on both the victims and the perpetrators. Such behaviors occurring in and around school are of concern to parents, teachers, police officers, & administrators.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse among youth continues to be of great concern for parents, students, teachers, administrators, and police officers in schools and communities.
Lions Quest programs are among the most highly acclaimed positive prevention programs in the world and form an important part of the overall prevention framework critical to reducing drug use and promoting healthy behaviors.
Violence Prevention
Violence and the threat of violence adversely affect many young people in our communities. Youth are having difficulty with social & emotional competencies, decision-making skills, self-control, self-discipline, & relationship management, all of which lead to destructive behaviors at home, school, and in the community.
Young people need building blocks in order to live in an emotionally, socially, and physically safe environment of peace and mutual respect. These skills form the foundation for learning the more complex skills of managing anger and resolving conflict peacefully- all of which are taught and reinforced in Lions Quest programs.
Character
Many parents are concerned about the ability of youth to develop strong values and integrity in today’s society. In order to become a socially and emotionally skilled person, it is necessary that youth learn ethical principals and peaceable attitudes by which to live in the home, school, and community and be able to recognize those behaviors that are antagonistic.
Lions Quest K-12 curricula are recognized by the Character Education Partnership (CEP), a leading non-partisan coalition of groups dedicated to character and civic education, as “scientifically supported programs that can improve school climates and positively impact the development and learning of students.” Lions Quest programs address the core Character Education Quality Standards.
Community Connection
Many youth today lack a strong connection to their communities. Research has found this lack of connectedness to be one of the risk factors most closely related to poor school performance and adoption of high-risk behaviors. Through service learning activities and projects, students progressively develop a connection with their schools and community, while participating in a group experience. Research shows that service learning as an educational methodology optimizes the learning of curriculum content, develops social & emotional competencies, and reinforces citizenship and civic responsibility.
Lions Quest has been recognized by the National Youth Leadership Council, the National Service Learning Clearinghouse, and the Services Works Retrospective Evaluation as “highly effective” service learning programs.
Academic Performance
Education is recognized as the key to preparing youth to have happy and productive lives. Yet, many of our schools are seen as failing to meet the basic needs of our children.
When implemented consistently and with high fidelity, Lions Quest programs can help improve academic performance as well as teach essential social and emotional competencies, good citizenship skills, strong character, and attitudes consistent with a drug-free lifestyle.
Social & Emotional Learning
There is a growing awareness of the need of youth to develop social and emotional skills as well as purely academic ones to be successful in school and later in the workplace.
Lions Quest’s K-12 programs are recognized by the Collaborative for Social & Emotional Learning as a “SELECT” program, as they provide tools to create positive learning environments and provide social and emotional skills instruction, which has been scientifically linked to greater attachment to school.
Lions Quest programs improve school climate, provide opportunities for student’s pro-social involvement in school activities, and engage parents and community members in supporting young people’s healthy growth and development.