In September 1993, Attorney Janet Reno and President Bill Clinton visited the Pinellas Marine Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. In a nationally televised program where he announced his crime bill, the President said, These programs are giving young people a chance to take their future back, a chance to understand that there is good inside them. Change is not forced. It is facilitated by a warm, caring adult who is willing to provide the right doses of discipline and affection in massive quantities. This bonding that occurs between the staff and students is the glue that bonds the students to their program and new values.
Meaningful work teaches youngsters the importance of their contributions to the group.
Meaningful work is one of the most beneficial forms of therapy. AMI teaches youth that nothing worthwhile is achieved without hard work and that performance must precede reward. Meaningful work can be involvement in an environmental or community project. Our students have been involved in beach restoration and clean-ups, revegetation projects and others. Attention to environmental concerns is a natural offspring of the respect we teach our students.