A New Jersey group is bringing a positive but impactful message to students around the state. That message is that your past stays with you for the rest of your life.

What's so great about the Garden State? Let us know by using the form at the end of this story.

Facebook
Facebook
loading...

Michael DeLeon started the non-profit, Steered Straight, after serving ten years in prison and two more in a halfway house for assorted crimes. DeLeon has decided to use his second chance to give back and teach students about real life.

He says that Steered Straight presents dynamic student assemblies and presentations "about choices and decisions and consequences to youth regarding drugs, gang activity, criminal activity, bullying in schools."

The idea is to blend stories, such as his, with success stories to illustrate what becomes of every decision that we make, all with a positive message.

"I was always under the impression prison was full of evil people and prison's not full of evil people," DeLeon explained. "It's full of people who have made poor choices and poor decisions."

The program has reached more than 1 million students around the area. They are currently holding about 150 assemblies a year, a number that's expected to nearly double this year. A variation of the assembly is conducted for K-5 to middle school students, and even into high school.

He says the feedback has shown that their presentation resonates with the kids.

"My mission is really to bring an educational message to students about real life, that consequences can last forever," he said, "I wanted kids to understand that once you're an ex-con, you're an ex-con for the rest of your life. There's no reset button like there is a on video game."

DeLeon says his goal is to spread his message to as many Garden State students as possible.

"I can't ever stop what I'm doing. I can't ever look back. I can only look forward and I can try to impact kids from letting my past become their future."

You can find out more by visiting the group's website and checking them out on Facebook.

More Good News

Donations of Love

Donations of Love, a non-profit organization focusing primarily on the well-being of animals, is spearheading a benefit program to help rebuild Lavallette's boardwalk in the aftermath of Sandy. For a $250.00 donation, people can purchase an engraved board to be installed on the boardwalk. The proceeds will go to offset the cost of the boardwalk rebuilding. To learn more about Donations of Love, or to purchase a board, visit their website.

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey is scheduled to host the 2nd Annual Paint the Pony Purple benefit concert at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park on March 24. Money raised during the event will help the foundation continue its programs and servives, as well as spread awareness of epilepsy. The concert lineup includes a number of acts, including Almost Easy and The RockNRoll Chorus. To learn more about foundation and its benefit, visit them online.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM