"Building a Community of Character"

Character Counts! in Fort Dodge promotes positive character building in our homes, schools, businesses and community.

CHARACTER COUNTS! of Fort Dodge is a member of the National Character Counts! Coalition, works closely with the Institute for Character Development at Drake University and is an initiative of the Community Action Network of Fort Dodge.

A community-wide survey in 1998 reported Fort Dodge needed to help youth succeed and reach their full potential. A task force was formed to investigate various youth programs and initiatives around the country. The findings suggested an initiative/model that combined Character Counts! with Youth Asset Building and Service Learning - the results were Character Counts in Fort Dodge in 1999. An 18 member Coordinating Council was established in 2000 and a coordinator was hired to lead the initiative. Since its inception, Character Counts in Fort Dodge provides youth with opportunities to develop important character values, assets and leadership skills that will help them reach their full potential and become positive and productive members of the community.

Activities coordinated by Character Counts (CC) in Fort Dodge include:

• Free Six Pillars of Character poster sets
• Recognizing local students who live by the Six Pillars of Character in The Messenger Newspaper Character Corner feature twice a week
• Annual Fort Dodge Youth Character Awards Contest recognizing elementary, middle and high school youth
• Public Service Announcements promoting the Six Pillars of Character
• Working with local schools to promote Character Counts
• Participating in community events to promote Character Counts
• Partnering with local businesses, organizations and churches to promote good character
• Engaging Youth in Action high school students in the Character Counts Corps to present character lessons to elementary students
• Promoting Character Counts in Sports

Click here for more information on the Community Action Network of Fort Dodge: http://www.fortdodge.org