Judy Zerafa is the creator of the GO FOR IT! Program and author of the book, GO FOR IT! Following the book's publication in 1982, Zerafa was invited to be a guest on THE TODAY SHOW, resulting in high book sales and the first of many speaking engagements to elementary and middle school audiences.
Yet there was more to learn! Through the Horatio Alger Awards Committee, Judy was able to interview thirty-five award recipients who began with no advantages and, through their own efforts, achieved magnificently. She asked only one question, "What do you think you know, that you think no one else knows, that has allowed you to succeed to the degree for which you have been honored?"
Zerafa's research revealed seven specific attributes these men and women identified as essential to human success. "The most startling discovery," says Zerafa, "is that thirty of these men and women only knew a combination of three of these attributes...which I chose to call 'keys'. My mind nearly exploded with the idea of what would happen if we found a way to teach young people ALL SEVEN!! I made this my life's work."
Since it was founded in 2004, the GO FOR IT! Institute has trained over 6,000 students and educators in the Seven Keys to Success. In 2007, to increase the number of students skilled in achieving success, we developed a course to train teachers in the GO FOR IT! Program. The response has been overwhelmingly positive!
The GO FOR IT! Program has generated interest from urban, rural and international communities. The potential of our growth is exciting indeed!
