Welcome to the world of Just Jessica. This book, Just Stand By Me, Working Together In Groups is the third in the Just Jessica Life Lessons series which centers on self awareness using social and emotional tools focused on helping people learn new ways to work together, feel good about themselves and have fun along the way. This series attempts to address very sensitive and challenging subjects and is designed as a tool to be read with parents, teachers or others and followed up with intermitent discussions alonG the way about the material read in order to expand our message.

We realize that sometimes people have difficulty working with others in a group setting and those feelings of being shy or awkward with people are really hard to overcome. We also know that it's a fact that when people isolate themselves from others, it's just not healthy. A sense of belonging to a larger group makes people feel safe in an environment where learning and problem solving can take place. Without that sense of security people are left in a very dark and scary place where feeling frightened and alone prevent anything from getting done. This is a place where there is very little room for learning or positive change. We are committed to turning on the switch and enlighhtening the room. Providing an option empowers us all. Every single person in a group brings something unique and special to that experience, which makes that group better and complete, that includes you. In order to be a working group, realistic and accepted rules must be set and followed so that a safe and structured environment exists. This significatly improves the chances for positive outcomes. Subsequently, the group produces positive and worthwhile results that are good for the community and everyone wins. Working with others developing positive relationships makes individuals feel good about themselves and the people around them. Trust of others is key and the first step to developing personal reationships. If I do it for them, I trust they'll help me when I need it. This all leads to a sense of togethernesss with everyone watching out for each other and that adds to a feeling of acheivement and success. This positive self esteem promotes good decision making and a certain mindfullness about what we do and how it effects others. Just Stand By Me helps us look at the important ways that working together with others in groups can help us to find new and exciting solutions to many challenging issues, make friends and improve our sense of self.

Take a chance and find out how working together is fun and has a lot of extraordinary things to offer. We understand it's hard, but Just Jessica will help us along the way to explore how people working together provides us all with many new ideas and plenty of ways to talk, share and grow with each other. Don't feel alone, be a part of our group!