Youth Empowerment Solutions
The Youth Empowerment Solutions Program (or “YES”) is designed to help 5th-8th grade students develop the knowledge and skills they need to plan and lead community change projects here in Dexter. SRSLY believes that the best way to make positive changes in our community, and reduce destructive behaviors like underage drinking and drug use, is to let youth take the lead. The YES Program prepares them to do just that.
The YES Program was developed by the Prevention Research Center of Michigan, at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The SRSLY Coalition is implementing the YES Program in Dexter in order to empower young people and create positive community change. With permission from the original authors, SRSLY has adjusted the original curriculum to specifically target destructive behavior in Dexter youth.
The training consists of four in-service trainings and additional team meetings as needed through the end of the school year. The in-service trainings are held after school and cover teamwork, leadership and project planning. The dates for in-services @ Mill Creek Middle School will be posted in Summer 2016. The program includes a community asset visit, a discussion with community leaders, and a “windshielding” activity, during which youth learn how to identify community assets and liabilities.
Drugs 101: What Parents Want to Know
Drugs 101 is an informative and educational program for all adults to learn about the signs, symptoms and current trends of teen drug use. A highlight of the program is a mock teenager’s bedroom set-up for adults to observe and attempt to identify the obvious and not-so-obvious drug related paraphernalia.
Guiding Good Choices
Guiding Good Choices (GGC) is highly effective in reducing drug and alcohol use among kids whose parents participate. In fact, kids whose parents participate are 40% less likely to use drugs and alcohol than kids whose parents don’t.
GGC consists of one two-hour workshop per week, for five weeks. Parents enjoy this skill-based program, and agree that their children’s health and safety are worth the ten-hour time investment.
During lively, interactive workshops, parents learn practical skills to help them strengthen their relationship with their children, and help kids avoid drug use and other problems. Parents who have completed GGC in Chelsea with SRSLY have said:
There are two ways parents can participate in GGC:
- Sign up for a session (Coming soon).
-
Schedule your own session. Groups of eight or more who would like to complete GGC can schedule a private session at a time and place that is convenient for your group.
There is no charge for this program when it is held in Dexter. SRSLY is able to offer Guiding Good Choices for free, and with flexible scheduling, thanks to the generous support of Chelsea Community Hospital, the Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation, and our volunteer facilitators.