Skilz Mission

To develop & deliver educational programs that provide students with SKILLS & TOOLS for their future.

“Better Choices lead to Better Outcomes”

Our goal is to increase the odds of students making better choices. 
Better skills and more tools increase these odds.

The Model 3 Opioid Awareness Program

A Prevention Focused Solution

In collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Skilz.org, has developed a live, interactive online educational program designed to build youth (grades 9-12) awareness of the dangers of opioid use, with a particular focus on populations affected by systemic inequities.

By increasing youth awareness, the program aims to (1) reduce the likelihood that youth will engage in behaviors that could lead to opioid dependency, (2) empower youth to intervene in situations in which others may be at risk of engaging in such behaviors, and (3) empower youth to intervene in situations in which someone has suffered an overdose.  ……..   (READ MORE)

Watch the award winning video about the Model 3 Opioid Awareness Program

To date we have completed Phase 1 of the Model 3 Opioid Awareness Program.  Phase 1 consisted of 7 separate pilot programs over 2 1/2 years with 404 high school students from 12 different NJ high schools.   

We would like to thank all participating students and a special thanks to St. Benedict’s Prep (SBP) and Newark Tech High School in Newark, NJ.

At SBP, all juniors (11th grade) for 2021 (online) & 2022 (in-person) school years participated in our program.

In January 2023, we will conduct the latest version of the Model 3 Opioid Program with the junior class. 

At Newark Tech all TEAL Center Seniors for 2021-2022 school year participated in the Model 3 Opioid Program (Pilot5) and helped create the peer-to-peer PSA about the dangers of fentanyl (The Storyteller Project – Chapter One). (Watch trailer)

In October 2022, we will begin Phase 2 of the Model 3 program by having the 2022-2023 TEAL seniors participate in the latest iteration Model 3 program and then participate in “The Storyteller Project”.  We produce & promote  the peer-to-peer PSA about the dangers of fentanyl called One Pill Can Kill. 

*Over 80% of students did not know about fentanyl or that one pill can kill*

The Storyteller Project

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

— Rudyard Kipling

Starting on November 1, 2021, we began an innovative school project in the TEAL Center at Newark Tech High School in Newark, N.J.  Our goal is for the students to produce a Public Service Announcement (PSA) telling the story of the dangers of fentanyl.  It will be student-written, student-directed, student-edited and student-approved. It is called “One Pill Can Kill.” 
We utilize storytelling skills and techniques to teach the dangers of opioids.  Stories–rather than pronouncements or warnings–are invaluable in teaching. Knowing how to tell stories is invaluable in living.     (READ MORE)

Trailer for “The Storyteller Project” Chapter One. 

Watch 

Full Documentary of “The Storyteller project – Chapter One”

How does the  Model 3 Method Work

  • EDUCATE – While education (knowledge) is essential to increasing the odds that students will make better choices, we believe that education alone is not sufficient.

  • VALIDATE – Validating information for oneself transforms the learner from being a knowledge receiver (passive) to a being a knowledge seeker (active).

  • DEMONSTRATE – Testing one’s knowledge through interaction with others builds confidence and self-reliance.      Read More

Our History

“We started as Ironbound USA in 2012 and have now evolved into SKILZ Dot Org to better reflect our mission of helping students build their skills and tools.  All of IronboundUSA’s innovative educational programs will continue under Skilz.org.  We are proud of where we came from and excited to make an even greater impact in the future”.   

Gary Bloore – Founder Skilz Dot Org

Picture with St. Benedict’s Prep students in Bryant Park, NYC. 

(Read more)

Community Service Projects

Community service is a foundational element of Skilz.org.  Throughout the years we have been bold, worked hard and accomplished some amazing projects to make our community better.  

Time lapse of the Skatium as part of a community service project with St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ.     Read More