Our goal is to connect these kids, first and foremost, to each other by developing character building strategies and opportunities for them to get to know each other in a new way. Secondly, we will attempt to give them a greater sense of responsibility in our community by involving them in service opportunities, community involvement skill building and even internships and jobs opportunities for the teenagers. We feel that this part of our program is vital to giving our children purpose and a greater sense of being connected to the breadth and scope of what they can accomplish as an individual and as being connected to a group. The third tier of our program will create opportunities for our children to be the difference. We will encourage the children of our community to be the organizers, administrators and directors of their own programs and show them that they can be the greatest difference in making substantial changes for the better in their school, their community and on into their future. A great number of benefits have been reported to support teaching kindness in schools such as happy, caring children and an increase in peer acceptance, improvement in self-esteem, a better sense of belonging and reduced depression, all leading to an overall goal of a reduction in bullying among peers.

Our group recognizes that one of the greatest assets we have are ears that listen and hearts that care. We have every intention of developing lasting relationships with the children of Heber Springs as well as with the members of our community to bring the two together while showing these children that their differences can be their strengths.

We currently have a full teen staff that works to develop ideas for community service projects that strive to include students, local business owners and reach out to the community for their participation as well. We have received many music videos and video submissions from local youth as well as country music artists that add to Speak Life’s collective goal of teaching kids that their gifts and talents matter. We are in the process of planning live events which will give our youth an opportunity to embrace their talents. We are also working with local business owners to implement internships which will aide them toward building futures and careers in the areas they embrace. Our organization is constantly seeking ways to give our teens the opportunity to speak publicly in ways that will impact them long into their futures, including City Council meetings, School Board meetings, assemblies, and events such as our upcoming concerts and shows.

“Speak Life” has been up and running for three short months and within that amount of time we have received many positive responses from children and teens wanting to join, parent volunteers, local churches wanting us to perform assemblies, and local business owners asking how they too can participate. We are encouraged by the amount of support that this program will continue to be well received by our community and as such will continue to grow.Heber Springs has an amazing reputation for its volunteer efforts and will be receiving recognition in January 2015 for the Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Award. We would love to instill that same value in our youth. We would love your support in implementing our “Speak Life” Program into our local Heber Springs School System and with that support you will be helping us to exhibit complete confidence and assurance that our local youth can be the difference.

Backgrounds And Accomplishments:

April 2013 -Prospective nonprofit aims to give help to Heber Springs-area teens

Arkansas Online Three Rivers Edition Emily Van Zandt

Link-http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/apr/11/prospective-nonprofit-aims-give-help-heber-springs/

Description- Barbara Owens is reaching out to local teens through volunteer efforts and upcoming projects in a way to better connect the local youth to other organizations and local businesses

April 2013 -Local Organization Brings Lifeguard Stand to Sandy Beach

Arkansas Online Three Rivers Edition Emily Van Zandt

Link-http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/may/23/local-loss-brings-need-lifeguard-sandy-beach/?f=threerivers

Description-With the passing of ninth grader Robert Woods from Heber Springs and seeing the effect that it had on our local youth, we decided to pull as many of his friends together in an effort to bring something positive in this time of tragedy.

May 2013 -Drownings prompt new safety measures at Heber Springs

THV 11/Max Seigle

Link-http://host-36.242.54.159.gannett.com/news/article/266891/2/Drownings-prompt-new-safety-measures-at-Heber-Springs

Description- Last summer, a 13-year-old boy from Heber Springs drowned. His death drove a local woman and local area teens to city hall, forming a partnership with the mayor for a lifeguard at Sandy Beach.

May 2013-July 2013 -Teen Recruiters/Arkansas Dream Center

Description- The Arkansas Dream Center came up with an amazing program to feed hungry children in Cleburne County so Teen Recruiters gathered our local youth to volunteer for the summer to assist them in their efforts.

May 2013 -Donations for Oklahoma Victims

Description- Set up a donation site at City Hall in Heber Springs to accept donations for tornado victims in Oklahoma. Huge donation from Vicki McPherson and XTO Energy.

July 2013 -Heber Springs Kids Take a Stand Against Sex Trafficking

Link-http://demo.inergizecms.com/story/d/story/heber-springs-kids-take-a-stand-against-sex-traffi/85089/TeyB1DZXyE2Sk7Gno2odgQ

Description- A local Heber Springs Resident's personal story inspires a group of Heber Springs teens to join in the fight against sex trafficking in an effort to educate the local youth on how to be aware and not become a victim.

December 2013 -Teen Recruiters collect Christmas wishes for the children of Margie's Haven House

Description- With the efforts of our community we were able to grant every wish of each child at Margie's Haven House. Thank you to Jase Robertson with Duck Dynasty for granting a child's wish with Duck Dynasty items and having the family to autograph. Also want to thank Arkansas Razorbacks Line Backer and Heber Springs High School Graduate Braylon Mitchell for donating an signed autographed football to a young boy who's only Christmas wish was to have one of his own. We can't thank you enough for working with us to grant these Christmas miracles.

February 2014- Cinderella Prom helps make prom special for everyone

Publisher-The Sun Times Authors- Rena Kelley and Lena Tvedten

Link-http://www.thesuntimes.com/article/20140226/News/140229636

Description- Cinderella Prom gives the chance for both girls and boys to go to prom, that may not have otherwise been able to go and to make memories that will last a lifetime. This program is to make sure no teen is denied the night of their life due to financial burden. This year Kayla Laster, and Teen Recruiters were more than happy to help with donations for Cinderella Prom.

May 2014 -Teen Recruiters and Jayson Jones Ford

Description- Teen Recruiters will be teaming up with Jayson Jones Ford here in Heber Springs outside our local Walmart to take in donations for tornado victims in Mayflower and Vilonia.

June 2014 -Summer Movies in the Park StartsJune 14in Heber Springs

The Sun Times

Link-http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/summer-movies-in-the-park-starts-june-14-in-heber/42407/55zKRA5OEkmZBfZUinevbw

Description- "A Night Under The Stars" is a series of free films brought to you by Teen Recruiters and presented by Swank Motion Pictures Inc. Each season, Teen Recruiters and Swank Motion Pictures bring you totally free movies right in downtown Heber Springs at Spring Park. Heber Springs residents and visitors can bring their blanket or lawn chairs for a fun and relaxing evening under the stars.This event will be put on and run by our local youth as well as the wonderful sponsors from our local business owners.

June 2014 - Woman Changing Teens' Lives in Heber Springs

ArkansasMatters.Com/Melissa Shroeder

Link-http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/woman-changing-teens-lives-in-heber-springs/24596/4_2fggXY3U-lpcj8aCPbuQ

Description-A Heber Springs woman is reaching out to troubled kids through an organization called Teen Recruiters by helping them to focus on their passions instead of life's challenges.

July 2014 - "Rockin On The Water" Live Concert at Sandy Beach Heber Springs

Description-Teen Recruiters brings you Rockin On The Water onSaturday, July 19th at 8 p.m.at Sandy Beach. Performing live will be Katelan Hannah, Shawn Blackwell, Emma Webb, and Kevin Marble. Entry is free and concessions will be available.

September 2014 -Speak Life was invited and presented a speech to the Heber Springs Rotary Club

October 2014 -Titus Women’s Ministries at First United Methodist Church invited our teen staff to come and speak on behalf of “Speak Life”

December 2014 -Heber Springs students presents plan to school board to stop bullying

Publisher- THV11 Reporter- Marlisa Goldsmith

Link-http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2014/11/17/heber-springs-students-presents-plan-to-school-board-to-stop-bullying/19205357/

Description- Dozens of students and parents from “Speak Life” packed the Heber Springs School board meetingon Mondaynight in hopes of sparking changes in their community and putting a stop to bullying.