Fostering Youth Leadership in Preventing Underage Drinking
In June of 2008, YDTRC received funding from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, to stimulate youth leadership in addressing the issue of alcohol abuse among Connecticut youth.
We are currently recruiting local Youth Action Teams, each of which is led by a Youth Co-Leader and an Adult Co-Leader. These Action Teams will give young adults an opportunity to about how to learn the facts about alcohol abuse, make safe and healthy choices, resist peer pressure, and involve other youth in forming communities where people can have fun without alcohol.
These Youth Action Teams will:
- Educate younger children to avoid risky behaviors before they are exposed to these dangers.
- Work alongside their peers on projects that bring out each person's potential. The creative collaboration that youth experience as part of a Youth Action team not only instills the value of keeping it safe--it also imparts career skills such as entrepreneurship, technology, media promotions and production, and many others.
- Most importantly, each member of a youth action team learns the importance of both teamwork and leadership. By working together in a way that allows each person to shine, youth have an opportunity to serve as leaders and role models in their community.
In addition to those who are under 21, we are seeking adults who are concerned about this important subject, who will act as Adult Co-Leaders.
Our Mission:
"To build youth awareness, involvement and
leadership in local and statewide initiatives that address
the complex issue of underage drinking in Connecticut."
Youth Action Team Goals
- Educate children and young adults about underage drinking prevention
- Instill the value of safety among youth in our communities
- Encourage open discussion among peers
- Provide valuable career development opportunities
- Promote further advocacy related to this topic.
Other Ways to Help
Along with those who are "up front and center"
organizing youth in their communities, we are looking for
young people who bring skills that will allow them to help
out in other ways. Some people may want to work with
younger children, for example, while others could support
this projects from "behind the scenes," gaining valuable
career skills in the process.
We are seeking youth who have special knowledge in the following areas:
- Computer skills
- Video production skills
- Talking to younger students
- Assisting with planning, organizing, coalition building, and program development.
