Purpose
Members will provide positive, sustained relationships with children by offering healthy and fun alternatives to using drugs. This committee will review the availability of activities for youth within the community, seek ways to expand existing programs, and help sponsor additional drug-free events.
Why is it important?
Helping youth stay off drugs can be easy ... and fun. Research has shown that children who enjoy regular positive activity with an adult are less likely to begin using drugs. Positive activities build confidence, provide a sense of security, and help young people develop good decision-making skills. These strengths are especially crucial during early adolescence, a time when young people are beginning to explore and develop their interests, friendships, and identities -- and when youth are more likely to be tempted to use drugs. There is an unlimited amount of things you can do, either on an individual basis or through a sponsored event. Just being there for the youth shows you care. Mentoring relationships help youth in the areas of educational achievement, health and safety, and social and emotional development, especially if they fall into an at-risk or disadvantaged category.
Who should be involved?
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, neighbor, aunt, uncle, friend, mentor, volunteer or someone who just enjoys spending time with youth there are things you can contribute. Youth groups, school clubs (in addition to the UNITE Clubs), businesses, civic organizations, government leaders can all participate. Find an activity that matches your interests and volunteer a certain amount of time each month.
What are the goals?
Goals of the Youth Activities Committee include:
To provide assistance to existing youth programs.
To identify and implement new on-going youth clubs.
To engage more adults in youth activities.
To coordinate with the Education Committee on possible joint community/school projects.
To have youth representation on the community coalition.
Activities to accomplish your goals
To engage more youth in anti-drug programs, committee members can:
