San Marcos SMILE Award graphic for the Respect Project.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s esteemed RESPECT Project was presented with the San Marcos Inspiration, Leadership and Excellence (SMILE) Award by the San Marcos City Council at the July 12 City Council meeting.
The RESPECT project is a character-building and mentoring program designed for students in grades 8-12. Its goal is to instill Responsibility, Empathy, Service, Perseverance, Education, Courage and Trustworthiness in the hearts and minds of San Marcos youth.
San Marcos Sheriff’s Station Deputies Todd Baker and Dustin Nelson developed the program in 2014 with the goal of empowering participants to make positive and healthy choices in their lives and within our communities.
Since then, the RESPECT Project has mentored more than 170 San Marcos middle and high school students. The character-building program provides continuous mentoring and support services that engage youth through decision-making courses, workshops, athletics, field trips, and student-led discussions. Special guest speakers are frequently invited to share their life stories and offer valuable advice to the group.
Graduates from the 13-week RESPECT Project have found success as adults and demonstrate law enforcement’s positive impact on our community. This law enforcement and community partnership serves as a successful model for youth engagement and is being emulated regionally and nationally.
“The RESPECT Project offers an environment for students to realize their potential to lead, serve and discover their personal sense of value to our community as individuals and within a group environment,” Councilmember Ed Musgrove said. “The San Marcos City Council extends our gratitude to Deputies Todd Baker and Dustin Nelson for their vision in developing this project and their tireless efforts to see it to an overwhelming success.”
To learn more about the RESPECT Project, visit the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department website.
About the San Marcos City Council’s Civic SMILE Award
There are often community members who rise to the top – clearly reflecting this San Marcos ‘Spirit of Service.’ That’s why San Marcos City Council members initiated the Civic SMILE Award recognition program in March 2021.
Five times each year, a community member is chosen by a specific City Council member to receive recognition and will be presented with a San Marcos Inspiration, Leadership and Excellence (SMILE) Award during a City Council meeting.
For more information about the recognition program: San Marcos Civic SMILE Award.
