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The "I Am" program hosted its third annual presentation Saturday afternoon at the Newman Center on Temple Street in Fredonia.

The program helps to build the self-esteem of children who have challenges due to emotional or behavioral difficulties.

It was started to help children who see themselves as their diagnosis rather than a student or athlete, etc. The program is meant to help children feel better about themselves and find their own identity.

The event was run solely by volunteers and it helps to build partnerships within the community.

Martha Diaz from the AmeriCorps VISTA and Joyce Smith, coordinator of the Volunteer and Community Services in SUNY Fredonia, are the main contacts for the college. They helped to organize the event along with Compeer Mentoring, a nationwide program that sets up mentors for students with emotional or behavioral issues.

Diaz said she helps the community get what it needs or wants; she helps to provide for them.

"It is absolutely excellent to help students with identity issues instead of identifying with their disorder," Diaz said.

The program helps youth with low self esteem who only see themselves with a handicap. This year the program was aimed at "learning how to make good choices."

Dr. Andrea Zevenbergen has been the speaker for the last two years and was asked to participate once again this year.

The program consisted of Dr. Zevenbergen gathering all participants around and speaking about good decision making. She made it simple and fun for everyone.

She gave simple examples such as picking a candy to eat, but she also explained that some decisions are harder than others. Some have more severe consequences than others, especially when there is peer pressure involved. Her examples were short and sweet, but they got to the point and spoke to all ages.

Each year a new organization is targeted to help out with the event. This year the Interactive Theater Society had a skit prepared for the children.

The teachings went right along with the theme of the day, "learning how to make good choices." The children enjoyed it very much along with much food donated by the Psychology Club, Petri Baking Products, Pizza Wings and Things and the Growers' Cooperative Grape Juice Company. Sandy Nichols is from the Chautauqua Tapestry and she absolutely loved the event.

"It's a fun way for kids to learn how to make good choices," she says.

Other clubs have helped with the event before and continue to do so. The Psychology club has been helping with the event for 3 years. President of the club Dan Schantz says the event is a great opportunity for everyone involved. He helps kids find their own identity rather than just identify themselves with their handicap.

"It facilitates and helps kids to feel better about themselves. I think it's great, it gives a positive reinforcement for kids who feel left out," Schantz says.

Dr. Dani McKinney is the advisor of the Psychology club. She says this is a great opportunity for SUNY Fredonia students to learn about people that have different needs. It is a huge benefit for students to experience and for children to be a part of.

"Some kids don't listen to parents and sometimes people need to hear the same message from someone they are willing to hear it from," Dr. McKinney says.

Another group that has participated in the "I Am" program is the Psi Chi Program, Fredonia's Psychology Honor Society. Senior Amanda Ciesieklski is the social chair for the group and though this is her second year participating in the event, she likes to bond with children and families even if it just for several hours.

"It's a really great event; I like to interact with kids. And it's really important for kids to think good things about themselves," Ciesieklski said.

The Interactive Theater Society participated in the event for the first time this year and had an intense but short time to prepare a skit for the program. Four students from the club, Mike Raisch, Marisa Caruso, Amra Cuhel and Shannon Mann participated with much enthusiasm.

"We like any opportunity to work with kids and help people."

Cora Hodges, from Jamestown is a parent and has brought her kids to the annual event for the past two years and says she will continue to do so. She loves to bring her kids because of the socialization.

"It's what's going on today with kids. Peer pressure is a part of life," Hodges says.

Following the skit and food children were able to create their own puppets and they were encourages to make them as personal as they would like to.

Joyce Smith sends out a special thanks to Jann Ball, Dr. Andrea Zevenbergen, the Interactive Theater Society, Martha Diaz and SUNY Fredonia's AmeriCorps VISTA, and the Psi Chi Honor Society.