Monthly Awards and Scholarships (2024-2025)
DO THE RIGHT THING (DTRT) encourages socially-desirable behavior in school-age children and showcases “good kids” who are making an effort to improve themselves and the community. The goals of DO THE RIGHT THING are to help foster self-esteem in young people by reinforcing positive behavior and to establish these young people as role models for their peers; to build bridges of trust throughout the community; and to publicly thank youth who are “doing the right thing.”
The Program accepts nominations monthly from teachers, parents, police officers, and other adults in the community in recognition of students’ good deeds, attitudes and behaviors. All nominees receive a DO THE RIGHT THING T-shirt, a certificate of recognition, and a congratulatory letter from Chief Mills. From this group, up to nine students are chosen each month for special recognition. They are invited, with their families and friends, to a ceremony at the Palm Springs Police Department. The Chief awards the winners plaques and prize packages, and they are publicly recognized by our media sponsor KESQ on the news as well as in special promotional ads and on KESQ’s “Desert Chat.”
In addition to the monthly recognition program, the DTRT Scholarship & Student Assistance program, introduced in May of 2024, provides financial aid to graduating high school seniors to pursue further education or transition into the work force, as well as emergency funds for students at any grade level experiencing emergency/crisis situations (e.g., food/clothing/housing insecurity). To date, a total of $100,000 has been awarded to students representing every public high school in the Coachella Valley.
Founded in Miami, Florida, in 1990, there are now more 70 DO THE RIGHT THING chapters throughout the United States, England, and Germany, and the program has impacted more than 600,000 children. Police chiefs from around the country attest to the importance of DTRT programs in their cities and the demonstrated effects they have witnessed both in the bahavior of young people and the relationship of their officers with the community. DTRT was proud to be selected as the 2024 “Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program of the Year” by the Riverside County Juvenile Justice Department and the 2025 California District 47 “Nonprofit Organization of the Year."
Contact: Terri Ketover, Ph. D. President/CEO, DO THE RIGHT THING - GREATER PALM SPRINGS
Email: info@dotherightthingps.org
