Mendez Appears in Summer Issue of SEEN Magazine
Charles E. Mendez III appears in the Summer Issue of SEEN Magazine with his article "Addressing Youth Violence for Safer Schools." Mendez writes, "How do we address youth violence and create a sanctuary within our schools? Character education and social emotional skill development are natural adjuncts in the establishment of safe and supportive learning environments."
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What's News Spring 2026
In this edition, we highlight TGFV-A Peaceable Place, the K-12 Violence Prevention Education part of the Too Good programs.
What's News? Summer 2025
Curriculum News What's in the Box? A primary design element in the Too Good programs is ease of use to minimize even the smallest barriers to implementation. To make your lesson delivery as seamless as possible, we have designed and assembled each Too Good curriculum kit to provide you, the instructor, with the tools and resources they will need to deliver these engaging, effective prevention lessons right out of the box. Each curriculum kit includes what you will need to get started including a Teacher Manual, Student Workbooks, colorful visual displays, and interactive role-play scripts and other quality materials and components depending on the grade level kit to support active participation in an experiential learning environment. All of the program components work together to inspire and engage the students as they work together with each other and the instructor to practice and develop essential life skills, adopt healthy decision-making, and bond with their pro-social peers in both classroom and out-of-school settings. Upcoming Open Enrollment Trainings Curriculum TrainingsAugust 5-7, 2025 - Los Angeles, CAOctober 7-9, 2025 - Boston, MAFebruary 10-12, 2026 - Atlanta, GA Too Good Curriculum Trainings combine evidence-based prevention strategies and proven best practices to give you the skills, knowledge base, and confidence to deliver Too Good effectively and with results. Our professional trainers bring extensive, real-world classroom experience to the training sessions so you can get the most out of your Too Good implementation. Single day sessions at each development level for Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence, for Elementary, Middle School, and High School and Middle School for Seeds of Nutrition are available. Upcoming Conferences Here's where we'll be in the next few months. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello. We'd love to see you and find out how your prevention efforts are going. National Prevention Network Conference August 11-13, 2025 - Washington, DC 18th Annual Georgia School of Addiction Studies August 24-28, 2025 - Savannah, GA
What's News? Winter 2025
Community Connections Publix Too Good for Drugs Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic - Saturday, February 15, 2025 The C.E. Mendez Foundation has a strong foundation in the Tampa community where our commitment to fostering children’s health and well-being has flourished for decades. As a proud supporter of the Publix Too Good for Drugs Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic, the Foundation continues its mission to empower youth with the skills and confidence to build resilience, embrace physical activity, and develop lifelong habits that lead to brighter futures. Runners will take to the starting line for the Publix Too Good for Drugs Junior Gasparilla Distance Classic February 15 in Tampa, Florida. Join us for this family focused event with races and activities for children ages 2-10. Carmen and Wagner join Pepperjack to cheer on the young pirates. We can’t wait to set sail with you on the course! Curriculum News Too Good OST Prevention education is most effective when it’s consistent, engaging, and reinforced in multiple settings. Combining Too Good OST with a Too Good for Drugs (TGFD) or Too Good Violence (TGFV) to boost your implementation can take the impact of your prevention efforts to the next level for your young learners. This dynamic pairing not only strengthens the foundational skills taught in TGFD or TGFV but also extends learning and practice opportunities into out-of-school programs. The Power of Combining Too Good Programs While TGFD and TGFV promote self-awareness, resisting peer pressure, healthy decision making, and peaceful conflict resolution in a structured classroom environment, Too Good OST provides a unique opportunity to reinforce those skills in less formal settings. By aligning the core objectives of these programs, you create a cohesive learning experience that extends beyond the classroom. This repetition and reinforcement of concepts help youth internalize and apply the skills more effectively. The Synergy of Classroom and OST Programs in Action Imagine this: During the school day, students participating in a TGFD or TGFV lesson learn the strategies for being an affective speaker and active listener and practice these skills through role plays and activities. Later that afternoon, in an afterschool program implementing Too Good OST, they participate in an activity where they apply those same skills to navigate group dynamics and complete a task. The seamless transition reinforces the lessons and allows youth to see how these skills apply in various settings. Over time, these consistent and complementary learning opportunities build stronger decision-making habits, improve emotional regulations, and foster healthier friendships. A Winning Combination Pairing Too Good OST with Too Good for Drugs or Too Good for Violence as a booster makes for a powerful prevention strategy that supports youth development both in and out of the classroom. By reinforcing interpersonal and self-efficacy skills development in multiple settings over time, you can deliver a comprehensive approach to boost engagement, enhance outcomes, and help youth build a foundation for their lifelong success. Learn More Prevention Best Practices Community Involvement Community involvement is a critical component of any effective prevention education program. When schools, families, local organizations, and other community members work together, the positive impact of prevention efforts can be amplified and reinforced, supporting an environment where young people can thrive. Reinforcing Positive Behaviors Beyond the Classroom Prevention programs often introduce essential life skills such as conflict resolution, decision making, and resisting peer pressure. While these lessons are invaluable, their true power lies in consistent reinforcement. Community involvement helps ensure that the principles taught in prevention programs are echoed in the environments where youth live, play, and grow. Creating a Sense of Collective Responsibility Preventing violence, substance use, and other risky behaviors is not a task that any single entity can accomplish alone. It requires a shared commitment from all parts of the community. Shared community norms set expectations for healthy decision-making and a rejection of risky behavior. When families, schools, local businesses, and organizations come together, they send a powerful message to youth saying, “We care about your well-being, and are here to support you.” This collective responsibility fosters a sense of belonging and safety for young people, reducing the likelihood of them engaging in risky behaviors. It also strengthens the community as a whole, building trust and collaboration among its members. Increasing Access to Resources and Opportunities Community involvement expands the reach and resources of prevention education programs. Partnerships with local organizations, businesses, or government agencies can provide additional funding, materials, or expertise. For instance, a community health organization might collaborate with a school to provide prevention programing, or a local business might sponsor an event promoting substance free lifestyles. These contributions enhance the program’s capacity to address the diverse needs of participants. Engaging Youth as Leaders and Advocates Youth themselves are powerful agents of change within their communities. Prevention programs that involve the community often provide opportunities for young people to take on leadership roles, whether by leading peer mentoring groups, organizing community events, or advocating for positive change. When youth feel empowered to contribute, they are more likely to internalize the values of the program and inspire their peers to do the same. This builds a culture of positive behavior that spreads organically throughout the community. Community involvement is a cornerstone of effective prevention education. By bringing together families, schools, organizations, and local leaders, prevention programs can establish a unified effort to support youth, reduce risk factors, and build healthier, more resilient communities. When communities embrace prevention education as a shared responsibility, the impact extends far beyond individual participants. Together, we can build environments where young people feel supported, empowered, and prepared to make positive choices that lead to lifelong success. If you’re ready to strengthen your prevention education program through community involvement, start by reaching out to local partners and families. Together we can build a bright future for the next generation. Upcoming Open Enrollment Trainings Curriculum Trainings: February 11-13, 2025 – Atlanta, GAJune 10-12, 2025 – Chicago, ILAugust 5-7, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA Training of Trainers Workshop: July 14-15, 2025 - Atlanta, GA Too Good Curriculum Trainings combine evidence-based prevention strategies and proven best practices to give you the skills, knowledge base, and confidence to deliver Too Good effectively and with results. Our professional trainers bring extensive, real-world classroom experience to the training sessions so you can get the most out of your Too Good implementation. Single day sessions at each development level for Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence, for Elementary, Middle School, and High School and Middle School for Seeds of Nutrition are available. Register Here Upcoming Conferences Here's where we'll be in the next few months. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello. We'd love to see you and find out how your prevention efforts are going. CADCA National Leadership ForumFebruary 3-6, 2025 – National Harbor, MD Beyond School HoursFebruary 13-15, 2025 – Orlando, FL National Prevention SummitFebruary 17-18, 2025 – St. Petersburg, FL National Afterschool AssociationMarch 9-12, 2025 – Nashville, TN Boost ConferenceApril 29-May 2, 2025 – Palm Springs, CA Would You Like to Receive Our Catalog? Sign up for your free copy by mail or browse the digital catalog and more today at toogoodprograms.org. Get on the List