• History of the Institute for Proactive Strategies, Inc. •

Over the last three decades, researchers have asserted that positive role models were often lacking in the development of today's youth. In fact one researcher, Ellon Dedo, emphasizes in her study that “[p]arents, researchers, educators, religious leaders and others…agree that role models have an impact on child, adolescent and young adult development” (2006). Another researcher, Michael Scheffler, provides greater clarity when he states that:

“Growing up in a dysfunctional or abusive home and / or community can have a devastating effect on children. Couple this with a lack of self-esteem, a lack of belief in one's ability to succeed, the absence of positive role models, and an abundance of negative role models-and the equation results in an often deadly mix…” (Scheffler, 1998).

In the midst of these concerns and observations, the Institute for Proactive Strategies, Inc. (I.P.S.) emerged as an organization dedicated to providing skills, tools and resources, as well as partnering with others, for the healthy perpetuation of our communities, society and the world.

Our genesis began in the spring of 1993, when Robert Seay (1944 – 1994), a renowned educator, community activist, television show host and avid advocate for youth, organized a meeting of the minds between educators and professionals from various disciplines. The objective of this assembly was to discuss the issues confronting the youth in the urban community of Flint, Michigan. Some of the issues that took precedence at the meeting were concerns about high levels of poverty and unemployment in the Flint community, educational challenges, crime and the lack of positive extra-curricula activities for young people, with a particular focus on the lack of positive role models for urban youth.

After months of continuous brainstorming and strategizing, as founders of I.P.S., we decided to unite our skills, knowledge, and experiences to help young people to live viable, successful and judicial system-free lives. Over the years, I.P.S. has worked to educate and build trust with young people throughout the community. As a result, we have developed the creed that “You first have to touch the heart, in order to educate the minds of young people!”

However, we have discovered that adults also face some, if not all, of the same concerns and issues that plague the youth of our communities. I.P.S. has been confronted with a demand to provide services to adults; specifically in service-oriented industries that interact with youth, their families and communities. As a tribute to Robert Seay’s legacy of community development, we have developed services and training that address common issues in youth and adults within our communities.

I.P.S. has developed a team of well-trained, experienced individuals to provide quality staff development training. Our team focuses on fueling, uplifting and empowering staff to achieve their goals. We would greatly appreciate and cherish the opportunity for our team to work with your organization. For additional information concerning our adult staff development training and individual coaching with adults, please click on the adult icon for more details.

Dedo, Ellon (2006). Characteristics and functions of role models among urban and rural Togolese youth, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Michael R. Shreffler (Spring, 1998). Raising a Village: White Male Teachers as Role Models for African American Male, The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 67, No. 2, pp. 91-95.

• Institute for Proactive Strategies, Inc. •

Institute For Proactive Strategies, Inc.
4058 N. Linden Road, Suite C
Flint, MI 48504

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