A self help guide to assist youth and young adults with thinking critically before they act

Bureau of Justice Statistics: Prison, Probation, & Parole, Jail & Capital Punishment (2006)  Incarcerated adult females population increased faster than the male population  Inmates in Federal, State, or local jails: 2,258,983  3,228 inmates were sentenced to death  The youngest death row inmate was 20 years old

Bureau of Justice Statistics: Prison, Probation, & Parole, Jail & Capital Punishment (2006)  1 in 5 probationers could not exit successfully, they were reincarcerated  1 of every 15 persons will serve time in prison if these statistics continue “Every year, American taxpayers fund an estimated $60 billion for our incarceration system.” (S. Talvi, 2007)

Newspaper Headlines “Banging in the Burbs – Gang violence not just limited to urban communities” (Los Angeles Sentinel, 2008) “Victim, 15, Remembered- Hundreds at an Inglewood memorial service recall victim, shot at a party” (Long Beach Press Telegram, 2008) “Dominguez High Football Start, USC Recruit Arrested for Robbery” ( The Compton Bulletin, 2008)

Newspaper Headlines “18 year old charged in shooting – The Long Beach man is accused of attempted murder in two incidents two schools” (Long Beach Press Telegram, 2008) “Boy, 11, shot to death – Friend wounded; police search for possible gang members” (Long Beach Press Telegram, 2008) “The New American Slavery – 1 in 9 young Black men incarcerated” (The Final Call, 2008)

Newspaper Headlines “Grieving for a Child Killed” (Long Beach Press Telegram, 2008 “Funeral for Slain Student” (Los Angeles Times, 2008)

Think 5, A New Way of Thinking

Think 5, A New Way of Thinking 5 Components/5 Strategies What are the 5 components?

The 5 components are: Solution Think 5 ThoughtsActionsEffectsResults

Think 5, A New Way of Thinking 5 Components/5 Strategies What are the 5 strategies?

The 5 strategies are: Think Critically EvaluateReflectExamine Utilize Think 5

ComponentStrategy ThoughtsThink Critically About Your Thoughts Before Acting “If I choose to act upon a negative thought and not think critically, how will my future be negatively impacted in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months, and 5 years?” Thoughts Think Critically

ComponentStrategy Actions Evaluate How You Will Act Upon Your Thoughts “If I continue to not think critically before acting upon a negative thought, how will my life be affected 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months and beyond from now?” ActionsEvaluate

ComponentStrategy EffectsReflect Upon the Possible Effects That Your Actions May Have On Yourself and Others “If I act in a negative manner, how will my actions affect my future, others and myself in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks, and 5 months from now?” EffectsReflect

ComponentStrategy ResultsExamine How The Results of Your Actions Can Negatively or Positively Impact Your Future “If I choose to act upon my negative thoughts, what would be the result of my actions 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years, and beyond?” ResultsExamine

ComponentStrategy SolutionsUtilize Think 5, A New Way of Thinking as a positive solution to assist with thinking critically before you act. Solutions Utilize Think 5

Your Future Starts With You!

Your Actions Affects Everyone!

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child African Proverb Your child whose making straight A’s may not end up here, but the person who victimizes your child or my child may end up here. It takes a village to raise a child – We’re all responsible. Think 5 “Student’s slaying reveals two worlds in Berkeley. The fatal stabbing of a UC Berkeley honors student left two families in anguish as they struggled to figure out how prefinals revelry had deteriorated into death and detention” (Los Angeles Times, 2008