Healthy Community Coalition Youth Programs
On May 25, over 45 youth attended the 11th Annual Youth Summit called Youth Building Positive Peer Relationships. Students from Spruce Mountain High School, Mt. Blue High School, and Rangeley Lakes Regional School attended the event held at Franklin Memorial Hospital in the Ben Franklin Center.
Throughout the day youth participated in four dynamic workshops focused on how to:
1) Create a safer school environment, 2) Deal with bullying, 3) Stay safe on the internet and cyber bullying prevention, and, 4) Enhance communication skills.
Students who attended the Youth Summit will return to their schools to conduct two workshops with middle school students in the school or the community.
Presenters were Renee Blanchette & Anna Toner, Franklin County Children's Task Force; Kristen Plummer, SAVES and Chris Gorman, Maine Youth Action Network.
For more information contact Nicole Ditata at 779-2932 or Leanne DiMaio at 779-2933.
Understanding and Addressing the Rising Problem of Underage Drinking
Healthy Community Coalition, in collaboration with its Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, sponsored a community meeting in Wilton in April. The meeting, Understanding and Addressing the Rising Problem of Underage Drinking, educated community members about the impact that underage drinking has on the community, and determined strategies that can be implemented to raise awareness and address the issue.
The keynote speaker for the event was Lee Anne Dodge, Assistant Director of Student Life and Coordinator of Substance Abuse Prevention and Wellness at the University of Southern Maine. Lee Ann has worked with community coalitions state-wide addressing youth alcohol and tobacco use, and worked at the New Hampshire Teen Institute coordinating underage drinking prevention.
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will be reviewing the results of the community meeting when they meet in May.
Smokeless Schooldays
Smokeless SchoolDays is a program for Greater Franklin County youth in grades 6-12 who want to quit tobacco or want to help someone quit tobacco. Smokeless SchoolDays can also provide a positive educational alternative for kids under age 18 who are suspended from school or break the tobacco possession law. Youth will not have to pay a fine through the criminal justice system if they attend the program. For more information please contact Bridgette Gilbert at 778-3561.
