PURPOSE
 

Our Mission
To actively build and nurture trustworthiness respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship throughout the community

Our Vision
Our community, living the principle that CHARACTER COUNTS!


THE SIX PILLARS OF CHARACTER:

TRUSTWORTHINESS    Be Honest. Be reliable - do what you'll say you do. Be loyal - stand by your family, friends and country<

RESPECT    Treat others the way you expect to be treated.  Be tolerant of differences.  Use good manners

RESPONSIBILITY    Think before you act. Do what you are supposed to do. Be accountable for your choices

FAIRNESS    Play by the rules.  Be open-minded.  Make decisions without favoritism or prejudice

CARING    Be kind.   Forgive others.  Help people in need

CITIZENSHIP    Be a good neighbor.  Stay informed; vote.  Protect the environment


Why should we promote character?

With the hurried lifestyles of today's families, youth can be influenced less by their families and more by media and individuals outside the home.

It is our responsibility as citizens of this community to surround young people with positive images and values. If we don't like the choices youth are making, we need to look at the choices they are being shown.

Character is developed through examples and practice. Workshops alone cannot instill high moral character and integrity in our youth. They need reinforcement from the community.

Youth need to see and hear positive values at home, at school and throughout the community.


How Did CHARACTER COUNTS! Begin in the Bloomingdale Area?

The Citizens' Advisory Council for Bloomingdale School District 13 studied the topic of values education, taking into consideration the needs and common values of the Bloomingdale community. Council members found CHARACTER COUNTS! provides a means for involving, not only the schools, but the community as a whole, which they recognized as being essential to effectively promoting good character.

After CHARACTER COUNTS! was approved by the School District 13 Board of Education, the major Bloomingdale governmental bodies, along with several community organizations joined efforts in this initiative. The Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is actively spreading the word to increase awareness and involvement.


How Can You Be Involved?

-  Model good character

-  Promote CHARACTER COUNTS! at home, wwork and in the community

-  Recognize people with good characterr

-  Invite a CHARACTER COUNTS! speaker tto your organization

-  Organize a community service activitty

-  Volunteer time in the community

-  Contribute financial support

"Fame is vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures." -  Horace Greeley