Associated Marine Institutes Inc HQ

Bonding - Staff role model AMI values and build trusting relationships with individual students. The bond of unconditional love defines the relationship and adds the human element to every interaction, service, and activity. Bonding helps youth to develop and become involved in positive roles and activities, such as education and work, and leads to the adoption of values and expectations necessary for youth to become productive citizens. Family Atmosphere - AMI programs embrace and continuously display those characteristics that make good families work - warmth, structure, support, discipline, and everyone having a say-so and important role. AMI programs embrace and continuously embody those characteristics that make good families work -- warmth, structure, support, discipline, and everyone having a say-so and an important role. Unconditional love is the foundation upon which treatment is based, decisions are made, and relationships are built. Non-Prison Environment - AMI operates programs that supervise youth within staff and environmentally secure settings, where staff employ a strengths-based treatment philosophy. AMI is a community-based alternative to the correctional facility model, in which large numbers of youths are confined in cells, behind bars and razor wire, and where staff employ a punitive, shock incarceration or retributive philosophy. Positive Learning Environment - AMI programs are clean, safe, and supportive places for students to learn. All program activities and events (e.g. large group, educational class, lunch, environmental experiences, etc.) are organized to support, encourage, and reward education and personal growth. Gender Responsive - AMI programs are designed to recognize the distinctive developmental domains of girls and boys, and serve their different needs in a therapeutic environment. Culturally Relevant - AMI programs embrace and provide relevant opportunities for the youth they serve to express and support their diverse ethnic heritages, cultural backgrounds, and partner with community cultural resources.