The positive impact of the program crosses cultures and life situations. For example, more than three hundred 6th to 12th grade students at the youth-at-risk Harlendale Alternative Center near San Antonio, Texas, have used The Way to Happiness as an integral part of their program. The results are described here by one of the center’s counselors, Naida Segura:

“Although these children come from very difficult situations, once they have been exposed to The Way to Happiness, they are able to make good choices. ... It gives the children enough understanding to overcome peer pressure and environment or familial situations that would have them otherwise make the wrong decisions.”

And the headmaster of a Tel Aviv school described the results which The Way to Happiness achieved with his children: “You can take credit for the fact that since you have done the program for the 4th grade children, there is no violence in the 4th grade classes. There was no fighting, no violence and no trouble, a complete reverse of what had been occurring before!”

“We have decreased the violence by 70%-80% over the school year. We have decreased disrespectful attitudes toward teachers, decreased vulgar language and gestures.

“Kids are now more apt to sit down, calm down, think about what to do and set a good example. It’s not 100% but it’s 100% improvement.”
Vanessa Barbour, Principal
Lockeland Middle School

“As a parent and citizen I share your concern about the current state of society. Crime, violence in schools and the general lack of moral values are not creating a safe environment for our families and ourselves. The good news is that something is being done to change these conditions. That is why I am pleased to support The Way to Happiness campaign and the Set a Good Example contest, which is helping combat moral decline in our society.

“With this campaign, we can prevent crime before it begins by effectively teaching children right from wrong — at home, at school and in the community.

“I use The Way to Happiness booklet with my family, friends and colleagues and I invite you to do the same!”
Nancy Cartwright
Actress and voice of TV’s Bart Simpson

Essay from a student, age 15:
“There is a place where violence is commonplace and expected much as unpleasant weather. Where nothing is thought of armed robbery. Where narcotics and hallucinogens are sold like newspapers. Where the only safe haven can be found in alliance with a group of armed and hardened people who are forever defending and conspiring against other affiliations. Where brutal crimes are punished by temporary confinement measured in hours, or black marks on one’s record, or not at all. This fence- and metal detector encircled institution is the high school. In this environment, the individual student is liable to fall back to very primitive philosophies to survive, in place of the morals that were never taught. The government’s solution is to build vandal-proof drinking fountains. We must bring students the morals in The Way to Happiness. We must bring them today. For without them, the future is dark.”