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Highlands Today

Local Speaker Hypes We Care Hot Line

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Gerald Paulsen, center, president and CEO of Paulsen Productions, spoke to a packed gymnasium at Hill-Gustat Middle School on Wednesday afternoon.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: September 28, 2007

SEBRING — Sometimes teenagers need to know they aren't alone, and a campaign to beef up the We Care hot line is advertising that message.

"We are truly blessed in Highlands County to have such great kids like you," Sgt. Monica Sauls told the students of Hill-Gustat Middle School. "But, like anyone, you have problems sometimes too, and we want you to know we are here for you."

The hot line generated 77 calls in 2006, but started strong in 2000 with 274 calls. Children's Services Council members said when the hot line first started, it was heavily promoted in the schools, which likely lead to the high call volume.

Bringing in motivational speaker Gerald Paulsen was the first attempt this year to hype up the hot line.
Conveying the message "Seize the Moment," Paulsen's program encouraged youth to adapt, adjust, improvise and overcome challenges in life.

"Life has bumps along the way," Paulsen said. "It's how you get over those bumps that makes you who you are."

At 50 years old, Paulsen claims he has never had a bad day.
"Every day is a good day if you make it that way," he said.

The optimistic message seemed to resonate with sixth-grader James Pinkney.
"I learned every day you can have a new surprise in life, and you have to learn how to adapt and deal with it," James said after the presentation.

Sixth-grader Marissa Andujar said she enjoyed the speaker and his message.
"I learned when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it," Marissa said. "If you try hard, you can accomplish anything."

The Children's Services Council and Highlands County Sheriff's Office funded Paulsen's trip, during which he spoke to about 8,000 youths throughout the county. Paulsen is from the Chicago area.
"We wanted to have a motivational presentation to the kids to pump up their self-esteem," said Kevin Roberts, chief executive officer of Children's Services Foundation. "We also want them to know that crises can happen and people are there to help them, so it gave us the chance to plug the We Care hot line."

The calls go to an undisclosed location and are answered by trained professionals, who can find answers or resources for anyone who calls, Sauls said.

Paulsen encouraged the students to use the hot line for any problems, no matter how small it may seem.

"You are very lucky because you have this number for all of you to use any time you want," Paulsen said. "So if your goldfish dies or you have a fight with your friend, you can give them a call and talk about it."

We Care hot line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-486-2358.

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