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. Academic success comes first and often for the first time in the children s lives. Virtually all the young men and women who come to the programs are far behind in school and basic skill levels. Left behind by their peers, they are frustrated.