Highland Park Character Counts Awards

Nominations for this year's awards are now closed. Please look forward to announcement of the recipients in the near future.

Here are some examples of how we integrate the Six Pillars of Character:

• Creating visually stimulating and pervasive messages which are strategically placed around The Activity Center.
• Training the staff about Character Counts and how it can be used in day to day work with youth to create positive interactions.
• Focusing on Pillars when discussions or interventions are needed.

Click Play to View the 2009 Character Counts Award Ceremony!

Why Promote Character?

With hurried lifestyles of today’s families, youth can be influenced less by their families and more by media and individuals outside the home.

It is our responsibility as citizens of this community to surround young people with positive images and values. If we don’t like the choices youth are making, we need to look at the choices they are being shown.

Character is developed through examples and practice. Youth need consistent reinforcement of good character from the community.

Area schools focus on character education, but youth need to see and hear positive values at home, at school, and throughout the community.

Coalition

The Highland Park Character Counts! Steering Committee is made up of individuals from Highland Park City Council and Staff, District 112 Schools, Park District, businesses, agencies and community. The coalition, which is supported by the Highland Park Mayor and City Council, is striving to promote Character Counts! not only to the schools, but to the community as a whole.

Vision

The City of Highland Park promotes and provides for the safety, health and welfare of its residents and corporate citizens and therefore embraces the principle that character counts in the home; in the school; in the work place and in civic programs.

The Goal of Character Counts! in Highland Park

To provide leadership and coordination for the development of citizens who model, and encourage positive character in their homes, schools, businesses, recreational facilities, service organizations, religious organizations, and broader community.

Character Counts! is a character development framework based on shared beliefs and consensus values concerning qualities and traits associated with good character. These values transcend cultural, socio-economic, and religious differences. Character education is all about a way of life for children and adults. Children may not always listen to what we say, but they will believe what we do. This is precisely why a community that recognizes and promotes the “Six Pillars of Character” makes a great place to live, work, and learn.

Highland Park encourages everyone to adopt, teach and utilize the "Six Pillars of Character." This work will create a community where all citizens personally and collectively embrace the principle that CHARACTER COUNTS!

Children Are Our Future…

Children are 27% of our population, but 100% of our future. Character education is everyone’s responsibility. We need YOU to get involved by becoming a supporter of Character Counts!

Character Counts! is not intended to replace other ongoing programs in the community, or elsewhere. Simply put, the goal of Character Counts! is to encourage community involvement in developing citizens of good character.

How Can You Be Involved?

• Model good character.
• Promote good character and character messages in the home, work and the community.
• Include information about the initiative on meeting agendas, newsletters, etc.
• Recognize people with good character.
• Organize a community service activity.
• Contribute financial support.

For more information on how Highland Park began the Character Counts! initiative, how it is maintained, or how to bring Character Counts! into your life, please check out: "Bringing Character Counts! To Communities" – An official outline of Character Counts! inception into Highland Park and how it has maintained its continued success within the community. For more information, please contact Gina Gooden at 847-432-4110 or download a Pillar Award Nomination Form or a Humanitarian Nomination Form.