COMMUNITY SERVICE FAIRS -- 2009
Community Partnerships for Youth works with local high schools to support student needs, one of which is developing social responsibility. One of our goals is to help schools provide their students with opportunities to take charge of their own learning and become engaged members of their communities.
To that effect, we are co-hosting community service fairs with Chagrin Falls, Kenston, and West Geauga high schools. Representatives from various organizations in and around the Cleveland and Chagrin Valley areas will be on campus to distribute information to students and answer questions about service learning and senior project opportunities within their organizations.
At Chagrin Falls High School, the community service fair will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, located on the high school campus at 400 East Washington Street.
West Geauga High School's community service fair will be held on November 19, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the West Geauga High School library.
Kenston is in the process of selecting a date.
For
information on how your school can host a community service fair,
contact Mary Jo Weber at weber44022@sbcglobal.net.
SUE BLANEY'S PLEASE STOP THE
ROLLERCOASTER/PARENTING DISCUSSIONS -- 2009
Are you the parent of a
teenager? Do you have questions about how to raise teenagers? Do you
wonder what's normal behavior for teens? Then you may want to attend
CP4Y's parenting discussions using the newly-revised edition of Please Stop the Rollercoaster! How Parents of Teenagers
Can Smooth
Out
the Ride by Sue Blaney.
Run like a book group, these parenting discussions are designed for parents of pre-teens and teenagers who want to better understand their kids and help them make the right choices. Some topics include: adolescent development, improving communication, friends and culture, risky behaviors, and personality type and brain development. There is no cost to participate, only for the workbook, which is $29.95. Visit www.pleasestoptherollercoaster.com for more information.
Parenting discussions will be held at various locations in the Chagrin Valley area. For more information, contact:
· Polly Pirc at ppirc@roadrunner.com (communities around West Geauga),
· Shelly Wangler at shelly.wangler@windstream.net (Hawken/Kenston),
· Joann Randall at Jrandall82@roadrunner.com (communities around Kenston), and
· Mary Jo Weber at weber44022@sbcglobal.net (communities around Chagrin Falls).
In the words of Sue Blaney, "parents of teens are too often isolated, unaware that their experiences mirror those of most other parents, and that support may only be as far away as your nearest neighbor. In my Rollercoaster program, I've provided the framework that enables parents to learn together and engage in the supportive, helpful discourse they yearn for in their living rooms, schools and faith communities."
CHAGRIN VALLEY YOUTH BOARD -- ONGOING
Research
shows that civic engagement is a strong protective factor for
young people. Our youth board, started in September 2006, allows members to
demonstrate social awareness and civic responsibility through hands-on
involvement.
Goals include:
-
identifying local and regional service opportunities,
-
learning about board membership and management,
-
assessing how communities meet the needs of young people,
-
developing relationships between students at different schools,
-
building bridges between neighboring communities,
-
having members take information back to home schools, and
-
inspiring peers to contribute their time and talent toward common goals.
The group meets on a regular basis during the school year, with representation from public and private high schools in the Chagrin Valley. For more information, contact Ellen Weaver at eluebbers@roadrunner.com.
EXPECT RESPECT* COMMUNITY PRESENTATION/MAILING -- 2007
In March, CP4Y sponsored Expect Respect, a powerful and dramatic free program for teens and parents about social stereotypes, healthy relationships, dating, and abuse. Teenage actors from local high schools were featured in a series of real-life scenarios that brought to life:
-
gender role expectations,
-
stereotypes that contribute to unhealthy attitudes,
-
the abuse of power in dating and friendships, and
-
how that abuse diminishes one’s dignity, self-esteem and spirit.
A follow up brochure was mailed in December, 2007. Go to teen_date_abuse_mailer_inside.pdf for your copy.
DANGEROUS GAMES*
COMMUNITY PRESENTATION/MAILING -- 2006
Preteens and teenagers experiment with different types of dangerous games which pose serious physical and mental health risks.
In October, CP4Y sponsored Dangerous Games, a free community presentation on the dangers and risks associated with “huffing” (the use of inhalants), “The Choking Game,” and other self-harming behaviors, including cutting.
Wally Waldbauer, of Geauga County's Educational Service Center, brought a number of common household products with him and explained to the adult audience how these items can be abused by preteens and teenagers.
Lisa Ruman, MSSA, LISW, and Laurie Dye, RNC, LCDCll, both of Laurelwood Hospital, shared information on "The Choking Game" and cutting. A follow up brochure was mailed in June, 2007. Go to dangerous_games_newsletter_final.pdf for your copy.
PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST* COMMUNITY PRESENTATION/MAILING -- 2006
In March, CP4Y held a free community presentation entitled “What families need to know about teen laws.” About 90 people attended, parents and teenagers alike.
Law enforcement representatives from four communities were guest panelists. They answered questions from audience members about curfews, parties, drinking, teens, and the law. A follow up brochure was mailed in June, 2006. Go to CP4Y_brochure___teen_laws.pdf for your copy.
*Grant Information
Expect Respect and Dangerous Games presentations were made possible through a grant from ATO Charities.
Parents Who Host Lose the Most presentation was made possible through a grant from the Drug-Free Action Alliance.