HCC Youth Programs
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.
YOUTH SUMMIT October 12, 2007
The 7th Annual Youth Summit was held in the Ben Franklin Center atFranklin Memorial Hospital.The day was facilitated by HCC staff and Chris Trout, President of Strengths in Focus which is located in South Portland.He is a nationally-known speaker and author of strengths-focused youth work and parenting.He has designed and presented over 1500 workshops for thousands of youth, adults and professionals in 10 states.
This year's Youth Summit focused on building resilient youth.71 middle school students from the 5 area schools learned how to help themselves and their classmates bounce back from difficult situations.They also learned how to work as a team in order to put together a plan for their school.The day included two energizing physical activity sessions that students actively participated in.
This opportunity was made possible by the Healthy Community Coalition.Students had an opportunity to meet new people, participate in great physical activities, eat plenty of food, and learn from their classmates, HCC staff, and an experienced trainer!
UPDATE ON YOUTH RESILIENCY PROJECT-June 2007
Livermore Falls Middle School (LFMS) celebrated their youth resiliency project at the end of the school year.In October, they developed their goal and plan for their school at the Youth Summit.The goal was to help make LFMS a safe learning environment.The plan was to cut off rumors gossiping and name calling; recognize students who are helping; and celebrate with students.Students and teachers created posters that read “Is it kind, Is it true, Is it necessary,” and developed a postcard to encourage students and teachers to nominate students who are working towards the “Something good is happening at school!” theme.The postcards were placed on a bulletin board located near the cafeteria.Every month students and teachers who were nominated were recognized at a school-wide assembly.In November, 7 individuals were recognized and by May, 80 students and teachers were recognized for helping to make LFMS a safe learning environment.
Students commented that the project was successful because the students on the planning group really talked it up with their friends.One student said that as word got out about the project students could be seen congregating around the bulletin board in the morning and after lunchtime to see if they were nominated for the next month.One boy said that he had a friend who did not want to be nominated but once he was nominated the boy worked hard to be recognized each month.The culture of the school has changed for the better by implementing this project.
Joins National Kick Butts Day Initiative March 16, 2007
Rangeley, Maine — Young people from Rangeley Lakes Regional School have teamed up with Healthy Community Coalition to take part in Kick Butts Day (KBD), a nationwide initiative that makes kids leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use.As part of the Kick Butts Day celebration, 14 Rangeley students in Mrs. Austin’s health class worked with the Coalition to create an eye catching educational bulletin board to educate youth by exposing Big Tobacco’s lies.
“Youth tobacco use is a big problem in our community,” said Nicole Ditata.“That’s why we’ve encouraged students to learn about tobacco advertising, health effects of smoking and the cost of using tobacco products.” According to the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS), 16.3% of Franklin County youth in grades 6-12 have smoked in the past 30 days versus 13.8% of Maine students. Messages ranged from stating that “Big Tobacco denied for years that their products are addictive,” to “they also denied that the nicotine levels in the three cigarette brands that are most popular among youth smokers-Marlboro, Camel, and Newport-have increased greatly between 1998 and 2004.”
Many students voiced the harms of tobacco use.“I always think, why would you want to do that to your body?” said Olivia Decelles, 6th grade student.“It makes you look older than what you really are,” said Abigail Abbott, also a 6th grade student.
The Rangeley campaign is part of a nationwide effort.On March 28, elementary, middle and high school students across the country will participate in a variety of KBD activities such as surveying tobacco advertising in their communities; urging local officials to support anti-tobacco ordinances; and tossing caps, hats, jackets and other items carrying tobacco brand names into giant dumpsters.In 2006, thousands of kids carried out nearly 2,000 events.We expect this number to increase in 2007.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people every year. Every day, more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarettes; another 1,000 kids become addicted smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result.
The Washington, DC-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is one of the largest non-governmental education and advocacy initiatives ever undertaken to decrease youth tobacco use in the United States. The Campaign strives to build a healthier future for our children by reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
For more information about the event and other tobacco related initiatives contact Nicole Ditata, Healthy Community Coalition at 645-3136 ext. 5109.For information on the national initiative, visit the website at www.kickbuttsday.org.Healthy Community Coalition is a Healthy Maine Partnership and an affiliate of Franklin Community Health Network.
Stratton Students Learn Tennis Funding Available for More After-School Activities
Wilton, Maine —Young people from Stratton Elementary School had an opportunity to learn how to play tennis this Spring.A group of dedicated teachers assisted the students including Joel Swimm who is a former tennis coach and grade 5-8 Social Studies teacher; experienced tennis players Delinda Smith, grade 4 teacher; and Kelsey Orestis, permanent substitute.Throughout the program nine students met with teachers after school for skill instruction in the gym and walked to the town park to practice and play “Queen of the Court”.The program consisted of 3 afternoon sessions.
Stratton Elementary School English teacher Pearl Butler played a large role in organizing this activity.She recruited students, made sure the appropriate paperwork was filed, and maintained communication with Healthy Community Coalition.Pearl stated, “Students really enjoyed tennis this spring and we plan to run some additional sessions this fall.”Paula Stevens grades 5-8 science teacher helped with permission slips and student sign-up sheets. The school purchased tennis rackets, balls and a ball hopper with their $250.“Students really enjoy being able to learn a new sport and also have an opportunity to learn lifelong skills” said Nicole Ditata, Program Coordinator at Healthy Community Coalition which funded the program.
“We hope that students will become healthy by increasing exercise and by eating healthy.Watching less television can help with both of these.”Ditata suggests some helpful alternatives.First, have each family member select one or two favorite programs each week, limited to 2 hours per day maximum (children under two should watch no TV, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics).Second, turn the TV off during dinner.This is especially important for family engagement.Third, make a list of alternatives activities such as reading or walking.
For more information about funding for coordinating an after-school activity contact Nicole Ditata, Healthy Community Coalition at 645-3136 ext. 5109. Healthy Community Coalition is an independent, non-profit affiliate of the Franklin Community Health Network, serving Greater Franklin County.For over fourteen years, HCC has offered preventive and educational services aimed at improving the health and well-being of people in the community. If you would like to get involved please e-mail us hcc@fchn.org.
For more youth resources, go to www.thecommunityconnector.org.
