In an effort to keep their peers out of gangs, students at Lennox Middle School in Los Angeles sent a message that hit home.

And the people in those homes responded. Many turned out for a student-organized CHARACTER COUNTS! Family Event, which brought together moms, dads, sisters and brothers for a day of activities focusing on the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Don't bother getting up: Lennox Middle School family members find someone to lean on at the CC! Family Event.

Leaders from schools and districts in the Los Angeles area visited Rio Hondo Elementary in Downey, California, to learn about that school's successful CHARACTER COUNTS! program. Pictured here are the hosts of the June 4 presentation: Downey USD Superintendent Wendy Doty, CC! President Michael Josephson, Rio Hondo Principal Dolores Goble, and Assistant Principal Rani Bertsch.