Ambassadors of Compassion begin second cohort

With the second semester, a second group of students join the Ambassadors of Compassion

For the second time at MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate, the A.O.C. program also known as the Ambassadors of Compassion, has begun a cohort.  A.O.C. is a national organization that offers community members the opportunity to build leadership and compassion among students.  At MacArthur, there are six different groups who meet, and each group has about 12 student members.  Members attend once a week, depending on their mentor, and the program culminates in a service project.  In the first cohort, which occurred during the Fall semester, the service projects included a beach clean up and a fundraising pizza party.  

According to Assistant Principal Mr. Craig Johnson, A.O.C. provides direction for students to learn to be leaders, not followers.  The program lets students know how to work with others, solve personal problems, and provides advice from community members.  Through weekly meetings and the service projects, student members strive to build leadership skills.

A.O.C. consists six groups with 10-12 members each.  The groups are selected from recommendations to Johnson from the counselors, Ms. Christine Silva and Mrs. Laurie Tristan.  Johnson said, “We sit down and talk with them, which their counselors and administrators do on a daily basis.”

The program has added 57 new students, and three repeating members.  Johnson said, “The A.O.C program is dynamic and new approaches to helping students.”

Eighth-grader Arthur Prado said, “This program has benefited me in a way that now has taught me to make the best decisions and aim to achieve.  What I enjoy about this program is that it really provides an opportunity for students to interact and play an important role in our community.”  

The organization has been in existence for 10 years; however, this is the first year in Santa Ana.  Pupil Support Services from the district office recruited the A.O.C. program as a service to students within the district.