COUI's Teens and Toddlers program is great and I recommend it to every teen. I participated in this program back in 2011 and I learned so much. It had a big impact on my life because not only did it open my eyes to how big of a responsibility it is to have a kid, it also allowed me to have a wonderful bonding experience with the preschoolers. I was exciting every time I went to the preschools. If I could do this program all over again I would. Teens and Toddlers is the main reason I was able to graduate high school because it helped me to prioritize what is important to me. I now work with Karen Pfeiffer at Children: Our Ultimate Investment as Assistant Development Director and I love knowing that I am helping other teens, just like COUI helped me!
Children: Our Ultimate Investment, a non-profit established in 1978 by the humanitarian, author and social activist Laura Huxley addresses the problems of at-risk teenagers through Teens & Toddlers programs that educate and guide adolescents toward positive life choices. The teens care for and interact with infants and toddlers; learn through pragmatic experience and classroom instruction how to prevent irresponsible sexual activity and premature parenthood. The Teens & Toddlers program, for the past thirty years in the U.S. and the past fifteen years in England, has helped to reduce the statistics of teenage pregnancies. Laura Huxley had a vision of the "possible human being" and Children: Our Ultimate Investment is a step toward that goal.
I have been witness to the power of transformation by the trainers in addition to the kids. The lessons are integral in teaching the kids not only STD and pregnancy prevention by also compassion from others and unity. This program is run by people who care about kids. Donations can only strengthen the work done by these loving and compassionate people.
I worked with Laura Huxley for a number of years as Laura's assistant, in the late 1990's - working to develop her vision for Children Our Ultimate Investment. The program was very important to Laura because she believed children should be treated with intelligence and attention. I think it's important for the organization to continue with renewed leadership. I know Karen Pfeiffer, her granddaughter, is an important link because she understands Laura's vision - and has important energy with vital insight to take the organization forward in this new era examining racial and religious tolerance, social networking and renewed world challenges applicable to our children
Laura Huxley had a brilliant insight - Pair teens with tots as co-mentors. That is, tots mentor the teens in what it means to be and have a child and the teen mentor tots by facilitating their social and creative development. There is nothing like this vision. Solid foundation with lifelong benefits for everyone involved.
Michael Mendizza Founder Touch the Future
I have had the pleasure, honor, and privilege to work with "Children: Our Ultimate Investment" for the past 5 years. As a teacher for at-risk teenagers, I found the Teens and Toddlers program to be a perfect fit for our students and school. I strongly believe that this program is a powerful resource for nurturing and bringing out each students' pure potential. I have seen my students grow and flourish into mature, self-respecting, and compassionate adults. My sincere wish is that this invaluable experience be available to many more students in the future.
I volunteered for this wonderful program several years ago and found the experience to be so rewarding. I loved working with the students, learning about their concerns and issues and helping them to understand the importance of community, self respect and genuine regard for others. What a great time I had watching the high school kids playing with and taking care of the young children! It's a fabulous program and a treasure to be sustained.
Children: Our Ultimate Investment is a wonderful nonprofit. I have seen the main program, Teens & Toddlers change the lives of young people in a profound and unexplainable way. I have seen rival gang members find compassion in one another because of Teens & Toddlers as well as broken families become reunited because of the communication skills teens learn through the program.
If everyone saw what I see that Children: Our Ultimate Investment can do for at risk teens, COUI would never have to ask for a donation again!
This is a worthy charity; this organization has helped so many over the years. The currant director has the big picture in mind but also the minutia of everyday problems. The goals and practices of COUI are laudable and should be supported by everyone.
This charity was the vision of Laura Huxley, the celebrated author and humanitarian. She realized that children play a special role in society due to the fact they they grow into their social group's leaders (and followers). An investment in the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of children is an investment in the future of the planet. At a time in world history when Earth faces many crises -- ecological, political, and religious -- children are often the victims of povery, warfare, and ethnic strife. This is especially true of girls, who are undervalued, explotied, and abused in many parts of the world. If children are to become healthy adults, their childhood needs to be free from trauma and filled with joy, love, and intellectual and artistic stimulation. This was Laura Huxley's fervent hope, and mine as well. Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.