EduCare’s Mission:
To inspire and empower young people
to become responsible citizens, compassionate leaders,
and to live their dreams.

The EduCare Story

School problems:

• Low test scores
• High Drop out rate
• Drugs are prevalent
• Violence is common

With the economic prosperity we have enjoyed over the years, U.S. schools have had the potential for being the best in the world. However, it became apparent that our schools were having problems—big problems. Achievement test scores were low, drop out rates were high. Drugs were everywhere, in high schools, and alarmingly, in grade schools as well. Drive by shootings had become all too commonplace. Something obviously needed to be done. But what?

That was one of the big questions going through the minds of Stu and Candace Semigran, educators and professionals in character development and personal effectiveness. By 1987, they had a sense of an answer. It was a bold idea, and not without its challenges.

Their concept was to provide at-risk youth with inspiration, motivation and a practical skill base so they could literally and undeniably experience more of the positive possibilities available to them. They knew many of these children lived in despair of the future, that they felt trapped in dead-end lives. An all too attractive way-out appeared to be through crime and gangs. And they knew that spouting philosophy and motivational phrases would not change anything.

Assembling a team of talented professionals, Stu and Candace created a prototype program to provide interactive and hands-on character development, self-esteem and life skills education to at-risk youth. It was called Achievement and Commitment to Excellence—The ACE Program, and was presented to at-risk students in Los Angeles’ schools.

The results were profound, for the students, their teachers, the school administrators, the community, and, perhaps equally importantly, for the families of the kids in the program. Absenteeism dropped, grades improved, high school completion rates rose. Violence lessened. Family communication increased. School climate became more positive and constructive. It produced hope of a better life for a pilot group of at-risk children.

In the decades that followed, EduCare’s ACE and other programs expanded. They have been presented in over 200 schools, districts, and youth-serving agencies and have reached over 20,000 youth worldwide. The flagship ACE Program has proven to be an outstanding model for innovative and self-sustaining positive change.

With the immediate, measurable success of the ACE Program, EduCare was incorporated, in 1990, as a 501(c)(3) educational foundation for the purpose of assisting youth and those who serve youth. Over time the results of EduCare’s programs, offered at the elementary, middle school, high school, continuing education high school and community college levels has produced an impressive track record. They have assisted young people in becoming high achievers and promoting healthy relationships at home and in the community.

Even more, EduCare’s programs have been designed to help prevent destructive social behavior such as substance abuse and crime. They have been successful over the long term because they provide students with the life skills and success tools for both school and career, and they assist students in the transitions from elementary to middle school and to high school and from high school to college and work.

In addition to working with children, EduCare also provides consulting services and workshops that support school reform, service learning, conflict management, staff team building, parental involvement, curriculum innovation, and cultural unity.