KidsWin, Inc. is a non profit organization dedicated to helping children believe deep down inside that who they are and what they do matters. We feel it is important to provide opportunities for children to build self-efficacy - the experience of themselves as capable and able to meet life’s challenges, and to establish strong supportive relationships with caring adults. We work with individuals, schools and youth-serving organizations that believe strongly in children and in their ability to make positive changes in their lives.

In 1993, Margot Rutledge was asked to create and deliver a program, Building Self-Esteem in Middle School Children. She taught her first program at Parker Middle School in Reading, Massachusetts and for the next several years, delivered the program in middle schools and high schools throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Through the years, she researched the characteristics of developmental settings that successfully build efficacy and resilience in children. This research, along with the experience of working with hundreds of children, has lead to the creation of S.T.A.R. Teens, a comprehensive program that can be used either as a mentoring program, one caring adult or mentor working with one child, or in small group relationships established between young people and adults.

“The middle school years are critical in terms of building children's resilience and self-esteem. I highly recommend S.T.A.R. Teens as a vehicle to build self-esteem, and sef-reliance in your middle school child.”

Sue BlaneyAuthor/Speaker/Consultant
Please Stop the Rollercoaster! How Parents of Teenagers Can Smooth Out the Ride 

“We have reviewed the evaluations completed by staff and students and rarely have I ever seen such an overwhelming support for a program.”

Middle School Principal
Reading, Massachusetts

“In my opinion, all children need what this program has to offer, and for this reason, we have expanded the pilot workshop with twenty-two students to a workshop for our entire fifth grade, which includes more than 220 students.”

Fifth Grade Teacher
Bedford, New Hampshire 

“Even the most timid and the most distracted youngsters seemed to flourish under this approach. I strongly urge you to repeat this program next year.

Parent
Sherborn, Massachusetts