Jay Manning is an 8th grader at Robinson Elementary school. He's been kicked out of class for getting in trouble a few times this year, but now he says his head is on straight.
Manning tells 13abc, "Since they've been here, stuff has changed, I don't get into trouble as much."
Manning credits Marcus Goodwin and the House of Emmanuel for teaching him about positive choices, motivation and focus.
Since the beginning of the school year, House of Emmanuel has been volunteering at Robinson. They conduct in-school suspensions.
Since 1994, the organization has run a boys residential treatment facility and a youth transition program.
Marcus Goodwin is the co-founder.
"The youth in Toledo are having some very serious problems and issues right now, the kids are having issues in regards to being willing to learn," he says. "We just want to be in the position where we create that motivation and the desire to not only learn but to aspire to be successful."
The principal of Robinson Elementary says he's seen a significant decrease in suspensions this year.
Anthony Bronaugh tells 13abc, "Our goal is to have and create a safe environment for kids to learn so ultimately we do not want to suspend kids."
Goodwin tells 13abc, "When they come to our classroom we first deal with the situation. what caused the problem? How could they have prevented it and try to get them skills."
"When they are faced with those situations again they make better choices and then we try to get them back to the classrooms as soon as possible to minimize that time out of the classroom."
The intervention has made quite the impression on students like Jay Manning. Manning tells 13abc, "What I like is how they talk with me, how they are real with me and how they help me in stuff, like no other teacher will do that with me except for Mr. Goodwin and his people at House of Emmanuel."
Jay Manning wants to go to college and become a therapist and he made the choice since having contact with the volunteers from the House of Emmanuel.
"They've made a major difference in my life, positive and never negative."
Goodwin says there's a clear message they are trying to get across to all of the students they come in contact with.
"Mainly to believe in themselves, to know if they work hard they can make a difference, that they will be rewarded for positive behavior that they will be held accountable for negative behavior and that they will be in a position to make better choices not for just themselves but their families and their community. "
And that's why the House of Emmanuel was nominated for making a difference this week.
If you know someone or an organization that is making an impact in the lives of our youth, you can nominate them for our Make a Difference Monday. Just send an email to kristian.brown@13abc.com.
For more information on the services House of Emmanuel provides, visit http://www.houseofemmanuel.com
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