Our Initiatives

Our Proven Programs and Initiatives

We can help bring targeted, bold, and innovative ideas, programs, and initiatives to transform your organizations, schools, universities, and places of learning.

Our programs are designed to encourage, support, and create social, academic, and career opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities, ESL students, and/or those at risk. Our primary focus is to continually improve the achievement level of all students so that they can gain full economic empowerment and independent living and become productive citizens. We support students, parents/guardians, schools, churches, and community programs that promote and challenge high standards in grades Pre-K through 12, as well as in post-secondary vocational, certificate, and licensure programs and college and university degree programs.

Resource Library by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) offers a vast range of the latest innovative educational, social, and emotional health resources for students, parents/guardians, adult learners, and community members. Our Resource Library has unlimited information on academic and homework support, colleges and careers, community support organizations, daily devotionals, and a complete list of available free scholarships and financial aid.

The MILK Scholarships and Awards

• EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Scholarship
• FRANKIE “BEAR” WASHINGTON, JR. “It’s Your Birthday” Award
• HENRY “GATOR” JONES “Faithful Friend” Award
• H.O.M.E. Award – Helping Others with Manners and Education
• I GOT YOUR BACK Award – (Sponsored by Dr. Chandler and The Back in Action Team)
• RESPECT THE DREAM AND LEARN Scholarship – A V.I.S.I.O.N. (Vision In School and In Our Neighborhood) of —Excellence Scholarship
• SUNDAY SCHOOL’S 10xDistinguish Honor Student Award
• THE 2nd MILE Award
• THE WHOSOEVER – A GOOD SAMARITAN Award

Thank you for supporting our students and our community.
We are making a difference, and we will continue to do Greater works and services.

• Other Available Scholarships

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The MILK Programs and Initiatives

• Cheerful Givers – A service learning initiative that supports our homeless students, parents/guardians, the elderly, and others in the community.
• C.L.A.S.S. college and career learning the exposes all students to success-(C.L.A.S.S.)
  The Purpose of the C.L.A.S.S. Initiative is to prepare students for college, post-secondary vocational training, a career, and life. Our main goal is to expose a greater number of students to success by increasing high school, post-secondary vocational training, and college graduation/completion rates. C.L.A.S.S. encourages, supports, and creates college and career opportunities for all students, including those that are economically disadvantaged, diagnosed with a learning disability, and/or at-risk. The C.L.A.S.S. initiative has helped hundreds of students pursue a higher education.
• Educational Vision for all Churches, Faith-Based Organizations, and Personal Mission – A Blueprint for Student Success
• Full Moon Report-School Newsletter^®
• Lean-on-Us Initiative: Academic Enrichment and Social Development programs.
  Purpose: to provide students and adults with academic tutoring and homework assistance that reinforces classroom instruction and provides advanced learning opportunities. Parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the lessons. Students in Lean-on-Us will also focus on social development by using the: Manners First motto: demonstrate “respect for self, for others, and for learning.” Each student participating in our programs will take a promise pledge; a declaration students sign stating to demonstrate respect for self, for others, and for learning. Students also promise not to drop out of school or stop learning. Additionally, students may be required to participate in our R.E.S.P.E.C.T. contest.
• Leadership That Works, STC– Collaboration with and Support for other Organizations with Training and Resources
• Library of Resources
• Manners First G.I.F.T.S. GOD Instructions For Teaching Students – Student Manual
• On The-Spot Initiative On-the-Spot Initiative partners with local and state-wide colleges and universities, technical and trade schools, the Armed Forces, and other institutions of higher learning to help prepare and admit graduating high school seniors to post-secondary places of higher learning on the spot, along with providing resources for financial literacy and economic empowerment. Students must bring copies of their updated transcripts, in addition to their SAT or ACT scores. On-the-Spot college fair events have helped hundreds of students pursue a higher education.
• R.E.S.P.E.C.T The Dream and Learn Initiatives – Respect Every Student and Parent/guardian and Every one in my Community and/or Town. These initiatives teach and challenge students to appreciate the sacrifices that others have made, and are now making, for them to pursue a quality education. Over the past several years, Manners First Education Initiative has hosted several initiatives on respect at local schools. The response to these initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive. We have received more than one thousand essays, poems, and submissions of artwork from students, including those at-risk and/or with disabilities, and ESL students expressing their views on respect. Two books: R.E.S.P.E.C.T find out what it means to me and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. the Dream and Learn were compiled from their submissions and distributed to staff, parents, and students. The students also held round-table discussions on respect during state testing week, and created school-wide respect exhibits which were displayed in the cafeterias and the school lobby areas. The teachers, staff, and parents/guardians reported that the school-wide respect contest brought a positive and noticeable change in the way students approached learning and in the overall climate of the schools.
• Street Sweeper (Newsletter) Discover the latest news in education, career and workforce development, and mental health and wellness through our engaging Street Sweeper Newsletter. Join us as we explore crucial topics and empower you with valuable insights.
• Team Manners First (TMF) leadership and mentoring group for students that emphasizes weight-training and other forms of athletics and kinesthetic activities. Team Manners First boys group won the State Leadership Award in 2004 and 2005. In 2012, received the Students participating in this initiative earned the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Youth Services 2012. TMF students led the Cheerful Givers Campaign at Kirk Middle School and helped the school to be named the Best Donor School 2 years in a row 2011 and 2012 by Salvation Army. TMF also partners with the Delaware National Guard and the Salvation Army for leadership and discipline training.
• The C.L.A.S.S. College Guide (also available in Spanish) offers easy-to-follow monthly activities designed to prepare, motivate, encourage, and support students in every step of the college admissions process.
• The Education Solution Project experience report: Is there still not a cause? Without a doubt, there is a cause! The Education Solution Project experience report is based on real-life experience, demonstrating faith and action within the education system. It aims to assist Churches, Faith-Based Organizations, rejected stones, long shots, trailblazers, and anyone with a personal mission to drive real changes in our current educational system. With the Wisdom of God, we can confidently and relentlessly tackle the systemic issues impacting our schools, universities, and places of learning. This is a cause of utmost urgency that demands our immediate attention and action.
• The First Jobs Initiative – The purpose is to teach students the importance of learning and applying soft skills at school and work. Parents, business, and community leaders are invited and encouraged to participate and share their expertise based on their personal experiences in the world of work.

  “My first job was as an associate for a designer clothing store. My job was to confirm deliveries and ensure an accurate inventory. I learned the importance of punctuality, customer service, and accountability. I also received a good education in fashion. These are skills that I use to this day.” Delaware Secretary of Labor

• The Higher Education Initiative – The Solution
  Our undergraduate and graduate levels courses explore major issues in public education and the programs and practices that address them. We will examine from the perspectives of all the stakeholders the many problems and challenges currently facing public education. Students will discuss major topics in educational reform, such as classroom size, poverty, family dynamics, technology, teacher quality, funding, legislative policies, school discipline, and other relevant concerns. In the end, students taking this course will have gained insight from evidence-based solutions put forth by local and national educational leaders who have demonstrated best practices in their fields. These courses are designed to facilitate problem solving by using creative and critical thinking skills in order to foster a culture of innovation that produces creative initiatives for ready implementation in the educational field.
• Will Work! Initiative – Promotes career and job fairs, interviews, internships, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities with local and state-wide companies and businesses, along with resources for financial literacy and economic empowerment. Students must bring an updated resume with them.
• Write The Vision Angel Gifts – Provide educational supplies to students and families in need.

Parents/guardians please contact us if you would like a copy of C.L.A.S.S. for your child.