Tragically, today's youth are lost in a culture of confusion. I call it the "fog" of youth, a time of uncertainty, immense social and cultural pressures and an inner crying-out to be accepted by others. It is a fragile time, a time when choices resonate for a lifetime. To be quite frank, adolescence can either make or break you! This is why it is so critical to bring CLARITY to the hearts and minds of today’s youth by establishing a solid foundation for building a healthy self-esteem and a passion for becoming a "good" person who displays character and commitment! My name is Jeff Yalden and my mission is to lift that "fog"! A little more about me later but right now you are about to discover a NEW way to begin that process. A NEW school assembly entitled "About LIFE" journeys into the hearts and minds of youth today. It's a 60-minute school assembly that will literally break down and build back up the toughest "at-risk" kids in your school. How do I know this? Because I watch the tears well up in their eye's day after day. I witness "hardened" kids melt like ice cream on a hot summer day. And once broken down, they quickly re-build with a new perception, a new commitment and a new character! "I was privileged enough to be a part of the AQHYA YES conference in Fort Worth, Texas a couple years ago, and it changed my life. I went from barely making honor role to getting A's in every class. I became less selfish and more friendly and open to new people and ideas. I went out for sports teams and made it, and I incorporated the analogy of the glass of water into my daily life. I would like to share this opportunity with my classmates, and I feel that a seminar with Mr. Yalden could really bring the school together. I'm not sure how much money the school will be willing to pay, but I have a fairly large group of fellow students that is willing to fundraise and work hard to get him to come. Please consider us!" "To be totally honest, on a per student cost I feel that we totally ripped you off. You provided us with more value for our students to meeting the goals we have set that I cannot place a dollar amount on it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!" William Clouse, Principal Durand High School, Durand, WI "Thanks again for the outstanding keynote you gave at the JOG our WAY Leadership Development Conference. Its hard to put much stock in guarantees these days, but your guarantee to be "the best keynote speaker we ever invited" was right on the money. Staff, students and business leaders alike all raved about your talk. I'm sure you positively effected many lives that day. I imagine you are way past the time in your career when you need much of an ego boost, but I'm attaching one anyway. I'm sure the lone person who rated you as a "1" was one of our students who are still struggling to read directions carefully, thinking "1" was the best grade. Here's hoping your are able to spend time with your family over the Thanksgiving holiday. We feel like we know them now." Ron Whitmer JOG Program Coordinator, Akron, OH "I am the director of a non profit youth center and run the Drug Free Communities Grant for Poweshiek, Iowa. We just finished three days with Jeff Yalden and I can not even begin to tell you what a wonderful experience it was! He is incredibly energetic and really connects with the youth and the adults in a community! We had him in three towns, six schools and an evening with parents. I was inspired to see that after each assembly youth were so anxious to come and talk with him one on one and to relate personal experiences, traumas and achievements with him. I watched in awe as adults and youth alike both laughed and cried during his presentations. I think the one aspect that sets Jeff apart from other speakers is that this isn't just a job for him, it's his life. I can not emphasize enough what a great experience this was for our whole community. We only utilized his services for 6-12 graders, but I am confident he can relate to the lower levels as well. If you can get him for the upper classman, I would encourage you to do so, they really respond well to him. Please let me know if I can share any other details with you or if you would like to hear from any of our teachers, principals, community members or youth." Shannon McNaul Executive Director, Galaxy Youth Center Friend, we cannot keep covering up layers after layers of inner wounds just to make kids graduate and pass them on to someone else or society at large. NOW, in adolescence, is the time to break down their protective walls. NOW is the time to establish what kind of person they want to be. NOW is the time to build their character and I believe with all of my heart that my NEW "About LIFE" school assembly is exactly the tool to make this happen. I urge you to read on and commit yourself to a school assembly that is so much more. A school assembly that is an "EXPERIENCE"; filled with comedy, passion and emotion. A school assembly that has literally changed lives! A new sense of acceptance within themselves and less about acceptance from others An Increase in self-esteem helping them to make better choices in life Disciplined attitude to choosing friends and being a friend that helps, supports, and encourages others rather than tearing them down Understanding what is expected from them from the point of view of teachers, coaches, and parents The ability to think, reason, and act accordingly during times of stress and pain Attitude over adversity and character of reputation The people we surround ourselves with and their influence on our lives Where happiness comes from and what it is the result of How to de-stress and simplify Love, respect, living with authenticity and seeing the picture bigger than yourself As a professional speaker I have honed my message to include the following critical components....