HCHY List: Youth Writing

[Amanda Edgar]

I've been reading the posts about reading and writing for pleasure and I
was struck by Julie's (Team Kids) comments so I just had to write about
the students from the Reconnecting Youth (RY) program here in Portland,
Maine!
 
The coalition I work for evaluates RY (SAMHSA model program for
'at-risk' youth) and works closely with the instructors and students and
I am so fortunate that I get to hear the success stories--and
challenges--of the young men and women that have come through the
classes over the past 2 years).  
 
A few weeks ago, our City Council declared April "Youth Alcohol
Prevention Month" and two RY students (one male, one female) stood up in
front of the Council and read what they had written about their life
experiences and about the positive impact RY has had on their lives. 
These kids blew everyone away with their eloquence and presence!  I
think the students (and maybe others) weren't sure what to expect but
the kids received a resounding response from all council members and
community members after their individual presentations.  These two
students were so insightful and moving in what they had written and in
how they spoke; it just goes to show the amazing power of listening to
youth in our community as they have a lot to say! 
 
Each semester the teacher gives out journals for each teen and they
also watch the movie "Freedom Writers" and talk about the power of
writing.  The RY class has also "branded" T-shirts for the group and on
the back they read "STAFF;" the young woman who spoke at the Council
meeting shared HER idea of what STAFF meant to her:
S - strength
T - trust
A - attitude
F - foundation
F - family
 
It really doesn't get much better than this and I'm thrilled to bear
witness to any of it.  Thanks for listening!
 
 
 
Amanda Edgar
 
One Maine One Portland & Portland's Overdose Prevention Project
City of Portland Public Health Division
Health & Human Services Dept
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine  04101
Phone: 207.756.8053  
Fax: 207.874.8913
 
http://www.substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov
 
 
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