BETF is addressing Connecticut’s “Unspoken” Crisis!

According to CT Insider reporter Alex Putterman, “An estimated 19 percent of Connecticut residents between ages 14 and 26 are disconnected from education and employment or “at risk” of failing to graduate high school, a new report from Barbara Dalio and Dalio Education says.”

This is a crisis that sets Connecticut back by as much as $750 million a year; that’s direct costs plus lost state revenue from idle young adults not paying taxes, according to the same report.

One High School in Norwalk is taking a bold and innovative step to reconnect and inspire students, and close the achievement gap.

 Norwalk, CT – Brave Enough To Fail (BETF) brings its BOSS Academy skills for success program to the entire student body at P-TECH at Norwalk High School in Connecticut, in the greater New York City area. It’s the first time the program is being delivered as part of the curriculum, to an entire student body. 

BETF has delivered the BOSS Academy program to more than one-thousand students at 12 schools and youth agencies over the last three years, always in groups of no more than 15 students. The P-TECH program is a significant launch, adding BOSS Academy to the curriculum for all 350 students. BETF also has awarded more than 100-thousand dollars in scholarships since 2015.

BOSS Academy promotes embracing Big dreams, pushing oneself Outside the comfort zone, developing a Strategy for success, and learning to Stick to the plan through perseverance and hard work. P-TECH students earn a high school diploma, have the potential to graduate with an industry-recognized associate degree, and gain relevant work experience in a growing field. 

The program launched with the Be the Boss of Your Dream presentation delivered by BETF founder and CEO Wayne Winsley. P-Tech assistant principal Beth Furnari said, “Today was nothing short of inspiring. I’m excited to see how this program will evolve from our students to our students.”

P-Tech principal, Dr. Victor Black, adding “I don’t want this to be a one-off here at P-Tech, I would like BOSS Academy to become part of our school culture.” Dr. Black first became familiar with Brave Enough To Fail and it’s powerful impact on students in 2012, while principal of Harding High School in Bridgeport. 

The BOSS Academy program is being conducted during advisory period throughout the school year. Classes are facilitated by students, who were hand-picked and trained in the BOSS Academy curriculum over the summer, on how to be facilitators and mentors.

The launch was made possible, in part, due to sponsorship by the Norwalk Kiwanis Club; president Marie Sacco commenting, “We are extremely proud to play a part in making this great program happen for students in our Norwalk community.” Students at the launch each received a hardcover copy of the book, “Where are you going?,” which serves as the BOSS Academy textbook, and an ongoing source of motivation and inspiration.

Brave Enough To Fail hopes to expand its BOSS Academy program using an interactive digital platform, to reach schools and youth organizations nationwide. Currently, BETF has a waitlist of 40 schools and organizations requesting the program and in need of sponsorship or funding.

All three hundred fifty P-Tech students attending the presentation received a free gift. A beautiful, hardcover copy of our signature Inspirational photo book, “Where are you going?” which serves as the BOSS Academy Textbook and as an ongoing source of motivation and inspiration.

About P-Tech

In a P-TECH school, students earn a high school diploma, have the potential to graduate with an industry-recognized associate degree, and gain relevant work experience in a growing field. P-TECH is a global education model offering students worldwide the opportunity to develop skills and competencies that will translate directly to competitive careers. The P-TECH network includes more than 150,000 students, teachers, parents, mentors, and advocates in 23 countries around the globe — and it’s growing! More info: https://ptech.norwalkps.org/about

 About Brave Enough To Fail and BOSS Academy

“Failure is not an option…. It’s required.” Founder and CEO Wayne Winsley created Brave Enough To Fail and BOSS Academy to help students with situational challenges to create their own success. Everyone has setbacks or failures, learning how to use them to create success in life is an important life skill. BETF is non-profit organization, using donations and sponsorships to provide programs at no cost to students and schools. 

Brave Enough To Fail inspires and motivates High School and College students to reach out for success by understanding and implementing options available to them. BETF encourages students to achieve their real dreams through courage and persistence, while working with key attributes essential for success in any field of endeavor: commitment, resilience, self-discipline, focus, ambition. 

Winsley is a proud US Navy veteran, author, schoolteacher of history and current events, motivational speaker, and former radio talk show host and news anchor.

Will you help us to reach the next level?

We are currently raising funds to create an interactive digital platform to provide BOSS Academy to schools and youth organizations nationwide. Just imagine the impact that your support will make!

Please click the link below and make a donation of any size today!

Want BOSS Academy for your school or youth agency?

Contact us now

info@braveenoughtofail.org

Brave Enough To Fail and Kiwanis Celebrate Partnership

Brave Enough To Fail and the Kiwanis Club Foundation of Greater Danbury celebrated their successful partnership recently at the annual Kiwanis For Kids breakfast held at the Ethan Allen Hotel.

Left to right; Michael Doyle, Board Chair, Brave Enough To Fail, Doug Schmeltz, Danbury Kiwanis Club President,
Wayne Winsley, Executive Director, Brave Enough To Fail.

Brave Enough To Fail provides free motivational presentations and up to $5,000 in scholarships to high schools. Our mission is cultivating a new generation of leaders, creators, and achievers.

Being brave enough to risk failure is a NON-NEGOTIABLE requirement for success in any venture. That is our founding philosophy and the core of the inspiring message that we deliver to students.

Kiwanis Key Club is a student-led organization which provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership.

Through the partnership, Key Clubs host the assembly style motivational presentations for the student body, typically the sophomore or senior class. The local Kiwanis Club receives co-branding on the event and scholarships as well.

Key Clubbers can host monthly Brave Enough To Fail career opportunity sessions with local business leaders and professionals.

Key Club members in the schools we serve, are now empowered to bestow their own, Brave Enough To Fail, Key to Success scholarship upon a student that they nominate themselves.

Norwalk High Key Clubbers & Wayne Winsley

Together, Kiwanis and Brave Enough To Fail are reaching hundreds more students and awarding thousands more dollars in scholarships. Key Clubs are energized and empowered to become even bigger difference makers in their schools and communities.

Brave Enough To Fail is extending this partnership to Kiwanis clubs and their Key Clubs nationwide. Join us by contacting us for more information. Message us here or send an email. info@braveenoughtofail.org

Kiwanis Club of Norwalk CT Donates $750 to Brave Enough To Fail

Brave Enough To Fail Executive Director Wayne Winsley (center) with members of Kiwanis Key Club members from Norwalk high School.

 

The Kiwanis Club of Norwalk has donated $750 to Brave Enough To Fail.

The donation, in support of the club’s effort to bring the student motivational program to Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School, was made during a BETF presentation by Executive Director Wayne Winsley to members of the Kiwanis Key Club of Norwalk High at the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center on Wednesday evening.

Kiwanis District 20 Lt. Governor Paula Conte said.

“Brave Enough To Fail is a phenomenal program that is giving young people the spark they need to be more successful in school and in life.

We are proud to support this organization and excited to work together in service to our students.”

Wayne Winsley, executive director of Brave Enough To Fail says,

“I’m so honored and humbled to have such tremendous support from such a great organization as Kiwanis of Norwalk. This partnership will strengthen our ability to raise student achievement and promote leadership through service.”

Brave Enough To Fail has partnered with Kiwanis Key Clubs to provide in-school assembly style motivational presentations and scholarships at several high schools in Connecticut.

For more information go to www.BraveEnoughToFail.org

Brave Enough To Fail Awards Six $1,000 Scholarships to Danbury High School

Thanks to our partnership with Kiwanis Club of Greater Danbury, the generosity of Union Savings Bank, and the hard work of the Key Club of Danbury High School, Brave Enough To Fail was able to deliver a powerful message of motivation, inspiration, and achievement to over 600 seniors at a recent presentation.

The speaker, Wayne Winsley, shared how being raised by his great grandmother, then living in an orphanage and foster homes took him down a road where he faced a crossroad with the options being the cemetery or prison.

After hearing someone say, “Always strive for excellence” something clicked and Wayne paved himself a new path, enjoying decades of success as a radio announcer and now spreading motivation with his story.

He went on to give the students relevant, and specific way to overcome adversity and be the boss of their dreams.

That message was backed up with five $1,000 scholarships to help those motivated students achieve their dreams.

The message must have been effective because after the announcement of the scholarships a BETF supporter, who was attending the presentation as a guest, spontaneously stood up and shouted
“Can we make it six scholarships? If we can make it six, I’ll take care of it!”
And just like that, five scholarships became six scholarships.

 

Wayne Winsley and Michelle Bonvicini, Director of Community Relations Union Savings Bank

Michelle Bonvicini, Director of Community Relations Union Savings Bank says,

“Motivating and encouraging our young people to be the best they can be is vitally important and we are very happy to be a part of this effort.”

 

 

Wayne Winsley, Executive Director of Brave Enough To Fail commented,

“This was truly a team effort. The Kiwanis Club of Danbury saw the possibilities of this program and paved the way for us. The Key Clubbers did the logistical work of putting the event  together and generating enthusiasm among the student body. And of course none of this would have been possible without the generous support of Union Savings Bank who made the investment in the dreams of all these young people. I am sincerely thankful to everyone on the team.”

Hopefully this is only the beginning. The list of schools that have already requested the Brave Enough To Fail program spans twenty states.

Wayne Winsley says,

“Just imagine how many young people we can impact and how many dreams we sow into. We can help close the achievement gap and strengthen communities across America. All we need is the support of great people like the ones who made this event possible.” 

Brave Enough To Fail Inc, is a 501 ( C ) 3 nonprofit that provides free motivational presentations and scholarships to schools.

Learn how you can help bring this program and scholarships to a school near you.

visit our website or email info@BraveEnoughToFail.org

Helping Students Close The Achievement Gap

 

The Battle over how Connecticut pays for public education has been going on for years and it continues with no end in sight.

In 2016, a superior court judge ruled that the state’s funding formula was “irrational” and unconstitutional, and failed to adequately fund urban and poor school districts.

In 2018 that ruling has been overturned by the state Supreme Court. The ball has now been punted back to the politicians and advocates for them to quickly and efficiently come up with a solution to the largest achievement gap in the nation between students in the richest districts in the state and the poorest districts.

We all know that the “fix” won’t be quick and efficient and any solution at all is still years away. Which brings up some uncomfortable questions.

What about the students who are struggling in our schools right now?

How can we help all of those thousands of children who are currently in our schools and on the losing side of the educational achievement gap?

Is there anything we can do immediately to positively impact even some of these students and increase their chances of not only graduating, but of achieving positive, productive, and even profitable life outcomes?

The answer is yes.

While the grownups are trying to figure out what to do, we can empower our children with motivation and some financial help to take charge of their own destiny, seize whatever opportunities are around them and pursue their dreams.

Brave Enough To Fail Inc. is helping students begin to close the achievement gap by inspiring students with the courage to pursue their dreams and to to see their own education as a way to get what they want out of life.

Brave Enough To Fail Inc, is a 501 ( C ) 3 nonprofit that provides free motivational presentations and scholarships to schools.

We believe that by offering students a compelling reason to fully invest themselves in their own education and by providing a tangible and achievable goal, we can and will raise student achievement.

Does Brave Enough To Fail institute effective education policy? Does it ensure more highly trained and qualified teachers in the classroom? Does it remove the family and social challenges that many kids face? No, no, and no.

Brave Enough To Fail does however, provide a lifeline of support for “a number” of students in the total absence of additional help from anywhere else.

It can inspire “a number” of students to achieve better life outcomes by choosing to remain in school rather than drop out.

It can, over time, inspire and motivate “a number” of students to achieve their absolute best in school, no matter where that school happens to be.

We believe that “number” of our children is worth saving. No matter how large or how small that number is.

Local businesses are getting involved

Happily, there is a growing list of courageous companies who are Brave Enough To Fund (smile) this investment in the future of our children.  They believe our program is making a difference, and can see how it will help the future of our workforce – the future of our nation.

Preferred Utilities   has stepped forward to sponsor scholarships

Kiwanis Foundation of Greater Danbury has partnered with us to provide presentations and scholarships to as many as seven area high schools

Union Savings Bank has boldly contributed funding to provide a presentation and full set of scholarships to an area high school. 

These companies and others like them are taking action to help students close the achievement gap in their own lives by providing them with a message of motivation backed by resources.  They are sending a message to the children, “Your dreams are important enough to be invested in and pursued.”

By the way, it works.

I myself am living proof that the power of positive message can change the trajectory of a child’s life. At age 14 I made the choice to go back to school after hearing a message about striving for excellence. That choice saved my life. And I am not the only one.

When speaking about the question of whether kids are able to overcome circumstances like poverty and achieve at the highest levels, Jennifer Alexander, outgoing chief executive officer of the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now says,

The fact that there is even a discussion in here suggesting that schools can’t be expected to overcome societal ills is unacceptable in 2018.”… “We know what’s possible when kids are given the opportunity and the support. We just have to have the political will to do it for all kids.”

We agree, and we hope you will too.

Wayne Winsley Founder and Executive Director of Brave Enough To Fail Inc.

 

 

Nonprofits Team up To Motivate Students

Brave Enough To Fail and Kiwanis Club Foundation of Greater Danbury are extremely pleased to announce our new partnership.

The two organizations will work together in providing motivational programming and scholarships to area high schools.

Area Key Clubs will be invited to sponsor BETF presentations at high schools in Danbury, Bethel, New Milford, New Fairfield, Brookfield, Redding, and Ridgefield.

Danbury Kiwanis Club President Matt Bartelme commented,

“We are definitely excited about this opportunity to work with Brave Enough To Fail. They are another nonprofit that is as passionate as we are about enriching the lives of children to build stronger communities.

“Wayne Winsley, executive director of Brave Enough To Fail says,

“I’m honored and humbled to have the support of such a great organization as Kiwanis of Danbury. This partnership will strengthen our ability to raise student achievement and promote leadership through service.”

Kiwanis member Foster Crawford, a former assistant superintendent of schools in Waterbury and Stamford indicated that,

“Brave Enough To Fail is an excellent motivational tool to help students believe in themselves and to set and achieve high personal goals.

”The goal is to begin presentations and award the first scholarships this school year.

to learn how your Kiwanis and Key Leader Clubs can work with us in your area contact:

Wayne Winsley wayne@BraveEnoughToFail.org

Learn more by clicking the link www.BraveEnoughToFail.org