Teens tell us what keeps them “Above the Influence” INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Above the Influence 1 “Tuxedo Card Contest” winner, design & thanks 2 Youth Network Update 3 Summer Dine-Out Series 3 Rx drug use 4 Member Spotlight 4 CUMBERLAND COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITIES COALITION AN INITIATIVE OF: THE SOUTHWEST COUNCIL, INC. SUMMER 2012 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 Jessica Ortuso Project Director [email protected]P: 856.794.1011 ext. 302 Katharine Cristaudo Project Coordinator [email protected]P: 856.794.1011 ext. 303 Chair Tracey Huggins Vice Chair Melissa Niles Editor Brian Kanady Meetings are held at The Southwest Council, Inc. 1405 N. Delsea Dr. Vineland, NJ 08360 Joseph Williams SWC Executive Director [email protected]Reducing substance abuse among youth in Cumberland County Staff and members of the Cumberland County Healthy Communies Coalion know that pressure to take part in doing drugs and alcohol is only one of the many difficules youth in our community face. Teens are not only influenced by their peers, but also by family members, media and their environment. Each influ- ence, both posive and nega- ve, has a huge impact on the decisions young people make every day. In the month of May, Coalion staff spent me with over 300 students in 9th and 10th grades at Millville Memorial High School con- ducng Above the Influence (ATI) acvies. ATI acvies aim to engage teens in a casual conversaon about what’s going on in their lives. Drugs and alcohol as well as other unhealthy choices are discussed in a non-tradional manner, encouraging stu- dents to lead the conversa- on. Aer posive and nega- ve influences in both the students’ community and in general have been discussed, youth are asked to design a symbol. This symbol is made from the ATI logo on which students draw or write posi- ve things or name people that keep them above making unhealthy choices. The sym- bols provide an understanding of not only the students’ cur- rent interests, but also their dreams for the future. Following the symbol acvity, students are asked to take a hard look at their symbol. What is it that all these posi- ve things in their life are keeping them above the influ- ence of? Aer giving it some thought, students are asked to think of a creave way to de- pict what they are above the influence of in a photograph. For some students we spoke with, they are above the influ- ence of teen pregnancy, oth- ers gangs. Some teens even expressed that they are above the influence of gossiping and cyber bullying. Aer an hour and a half with each group, staff really bonds with the teens and they are invited to join the Coalion’s Youth Net- work where their voices will again be heard to help make a difference in their community. The CCHCC would like to thank the faculty and administraon who welcomed us into their school and classrooms for four days. The acvies which staff have been trained to facilitate have proven to be a great way to engage teens in discussion and we are connually im- pressed with their creavity and individuality. If you would like to know more about ATI acvies please contact Jessica at (856) -794 - 1011 ext. 302 or, [email protected]
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Transcript
Teens tell us what keeps them “Above the Influence”
INS IDE TH IS
I S SUE :
Above the Influence 1
“Tuxedo Card
Contest” winner,
design & thanks
2
Youth Network
Update
3
Summer Dine-Out Series
3
Rx drug use 4
Member Spotlight 4
CUMB ER L AND
COUNTY
H E A L THY
COMMUN I T I E S
COAL I T ION
A N I N I T I A T I V E O F :
T H E S O U T H W E S T C O U N C I L , I N C . S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1
You make it possible, Tracey Huggins The Coali�on would like to recognize
and thank Tracey Huggins for her posi-
�ve contribu�ons to the CCHCC and the
community. Among her many responsi-
bili�es, Huggins currently serves as the
Chair of the Coali�on. In July she will be
speaking to the Coali�on’s Youth Net-
work about the power of posi�ve self-
esteem.
Huggins is on a mission to help “at
promise” youth and young adults to
realize their natural-born “inner resolve
to be a success.” She remains com-
miNed to providing a message that
promotes self examina�on and person-
al accountability. Since the incorpora-
�on of Renewed Minds in November of
2008, she has provided programs, semi-
nars and mo�va�onal speaking engage-
ments to thousands of youth, young
adults and stakeholders in various as-
pects of social service across the coun-
try.
Huggins has had many accomplish-
ments in the social services arena. She
has been an ac�ve member of the Na-
�onal Parent Leadership Team of Par-
The Cumberland County Healthy Communities Coalition was formed to build healthy communities by
reducing substance abuse among youth.
The Coalition is a group of concerned community members of all ages and from all walks of life, including educators, law enforcement, parents, youth, faith
leaders, health professionals, media, local government and businesses.
We need a Healthy Communities Coalition because a group with a common goal can achieve so much more than an individual alone. Our Coalition promotes coordination and partnership between
organizations to create environments that are alcohol, tobacco and drug free. We build links between local organizations and individuals who are working to
accomplish common goals.
The Coalition meets at the Southwest Council’s Cumberland County Resource Center Office in Vineland. We welcome any interested community members to attend our next general meeting on
Monday, July 9, 2012 at 1:30.
The Coalition is a community initiative of The Southwest Council, Inc. Funds are provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and managed by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.