StrengthsSummit

An education-based program that targets high school students so they will develop their strengths and build hope so they will thrive in their education, relationships and life.

Our Vision

Every high school student will thrive in their education.

Our Mission

To maximize every student’s potential by developing and engaging their strengths so they will thrive in their education and careers.

Our Core Beliefs

• Every student has talent and potential.

• Every student deserves to know what he or she does best.

• We can make a difference on what is right with each one of our students.

Students will

• Gain confidence in their ability to learn and complete school;

• Become aware of, develop and apply their strengths in learning;

• Identify educational goals, demonstrate motivation to move toward these goals and know the way to achieve these goals.

For more information, please contact

Phil Nienhuis, LMSW

Phone:  (616)915-5330

e-mail:  nienph@gmail.com

Facebook:  StrengthsSummit

Action Wyoming is a faith-based initiative giving hope to Wyoming teens by connecting them with community resources.

Action Wyoming is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

P.O. Box 9745

Wyoming, MI 49509

Ideas and Energy for the future

Involvement and Excitement for learning

Strong Belief in one’s academic capabilities

“I can and will graduate from high school!”

Your gift to Action Wyoming will make these a reality for seventy students at The Potter’s House and Discovery Alternative High Schools

Last year, 50 students at The Potter’s House and Discovery Alternative (Kelloggsville) High Schools participated in Strengths Class.

Talent identification began with StrengthsQuest, the high school version of Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0. Through Strengths Conversations and activities these students discovered their Themes of Talent, developed these talents into strengths and applied them to their learning and career planning.

“I would highly recommend this group to any school that is able to take part in this opportunity. The staff were knowledgeable, engaging, and courteous during their time here at Discovery. The students felt this was a great group and would recommend it to other students at Discovery next year.”
Tara Angus, MA, Counselor at Discovery

StrengthsSummit

StrengthsSummit is a 12 week class that will build Hope, strengthen Learning Engagement and Belief in one’s academic capabilities.

StrengthsSummit is modeled after the unique student development and engagement program pioneered by Gallup’s Education Division. Strengths-Based Development encourages students’ awareness of their talents and their potential, helps students approach school achievement from a strengths perspective, encourages student involvement in academics and activities through a shared, strengths-based philosophy; and helps students consider how to best use their talents in their education and life.

By engaging in Strengths Conversations, group activities and group projects, the students will develop their talents into strengths.

Strengths Team

Andrea Kitomary, Ed.M., has worked with academically at-risk students for over 10 years.  A Gallup Certified Strengths Trainer, Ms. Kitomary is working on her doctorate in strengths-based education.

Phillip Nienhuis, LMSW, is a counselor who has worked with at-risk youth at an urban counseling center for 14 years.

Shelly Kihnke, MSW, has extensive experience in working with behaviorally and academically challenged students.

What Students Say

“Strengths Class gave me so much more confidence in everything I do.  That was the major thing – confidence, knowing that I can accomplish things because I am one person who has strengths.” Discovery Student
“The biggest thing about strengths class, your guys attitude toward us. Not all of us thought we would amount to anything or we all thought we weren’t good at anything. But you guys came in and told us and showed us how we’re good at stuff and how we could use our strengths. [Interviewer:  “We were actually in your face about your strengths.”]  “Yah… and it worked.” Discovery Student

“It was surprising to me because normally people want to focus on what you did wrong.  They don’t want to focus on how you can fix it.  It made me happy to hear it, that someone actually cared and wanted people to move forward.  It was a really good experience.” Potter’s House Student

Your gift of $150 will sponsor one student