Core Values

Rite of Passage’s strength is our people who have a history and a shared commitment together. It is our philosophy and values which lead us naturally to a research-based program and let us run it with ease and sincerity. We believe in the dignity and self-worth of each and every youth and that within them is a potential for positive change.

At the heart of Rite of Passage are several core values, including:

To work with adolescents you have to understand adolescence.
ROP assists youth to succeed in life, not just do well in the facility.
A sense of obligation to the community is essential.
No significant learning occurs without stress.
Adolescent behavior is influenced by the youth's peer group more than edicts from adults.

We also believe that programs cannot make youth change; youth must choose to make changes. Rite of Passage facilitates and supports the change process through providing a normalized peer environment that is both positive and engaging.

“At Rite of Passage, students learn to succeed – perhaps for the first time in their lives.”
S. James Broman
President

“Raising expectations of our youth yields
much higher performances from them.”
F. Jerald Adamek
Government Relations

“We don’t believe in running programs that we wouldn’t send our own children to.”
Lawrence W. Howell
Chief Operating Officer

“Positive peer culture is the organizational operating system – present everywhere and modeled by everyone.”
Marlon Morrow
Director of Group Living

“We provide the most comprehensive program at the best value to the customer.”
Carolyn Jenkins-Bower
Chief Financial Officer

“Students must succeed in life, not just do well in the program.”
Bill Wood
Program Director

“Our students learn right from wrong – they learn how to learn.”
John Fry
Director of Education

“Every young woman has gifts.”
Laura Shipman-Hamblin
Director of Women's Programming

“We believe in the dignity and self-worth of each student.”
Evelyn Schott
Director of Student Services

“As a learning organization, we continually research, evaluate and adapt best practices to enrich our program.”
James D. Bednark
Director of Research and Development