Developmental Asset
of the month:
Young Person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
Essential Question:
Have I directly expressed appreciation to a young person for their contributions to our community?
Tips to ensure young people feel valued:
* Treat all young people with respect, and take their ideas and suggestions seriously.
* Train your staff to treat young people respectfully. Make sure that your policies are youth-friendly.
* If your business serves adults who may have children with them, make sure the space is inviting and provides age-appropriate activities.
Developmental Assets are 40 research-based, positive qualities that influence young people's development, helping them become caring, responsible and productive adults. To learn more, visit the Search Institute's website.
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"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others"
-Mahatma Gandhi
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RSAPP Deploys New AmeriCorps Team
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RSAPP's AmeriCorps members
build a team
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In early September, RSAPP assembled, trained and launched our 6th team of AmeriCorps members to serve southwest Colorado's youth. AmeriCorps is a national service program whose motto is "Getting things done for America." The 2014-15 RSAPP AmeriCorps team includes 15 members who serve at schools and community organizations throughout the region. This year's team has incredible depth of experience: 4 members are serving their 2nd term as RSAPP AmeriCorps members, 2 are serving their 3rd term, and 1 is returning for her 4th term of service.
RSAPP's AmeriCorps members are hosted by Site Partner Organizations, and we are excited to work with both long-established partner organizations (like Dove Creek's STUD and the Silverton Youth Center) as well as several new partners. This year, RSAPP has two new school-based AmeriCorps positions: a Check & Connect Mentor at Riverview Elementary, and a Kids' Camp Wellness Coordinator based at Needham Elementary, both in Durango. New community-base Site Partner Organizations include Southwest Center for Independence and the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County. Each is hosting an RSAPP AmeriCorps member who serves as a Youth Outreach Coordinator.
The 2014-15 team kicked off their year of service with an overnight Pre-Service Orientation and Training (PSOT) at Hesperus Camp. PSOT was jam-packed, with workshops on AmeriCorps, RSAPP, substance abuse prevention theory and practice, working with youth, and leadership. Highlights included exciting ropes course events and hilarious games of Pictionary. PSOT helped turn a group of diverse individuals into a functioning regional team, ready to serve.
By bringing a federal program into a rural region, RSAPP leverages local efforts and helps strengthen communities. Each RSAPP AmeriCorps member works toward the long-term goal of reducing substance abuse among southwest Colorado's youth. Kelsie Borland, RSAPP's Acting Executive Director says, "AmeriCorps demonstrates a profound commitment to address critical concerns and to serve vulnerable members of our communities. We strive to give a hand up and not a handout, and our RSAPP AmeriCorps team is really Getting Things Done for America."
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President Proclaims October National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation, acknowledging the destructiveness of drug and alcohol abuse, and encouraging Americans to engage in prevention efforts in their communities. October 2014 is declared National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.
The proclamation states, "Substance abuse affects everyone, and each of us can play a part in helping the next generation make choices that support physical, mental, behavioral, and emotional health. Parents, mentors, and community members can model a healthy lifestyle and should talk with kids early and often about the dangers of drug and alcohol use." Prevention is the most effective way to stop drug and alcohol abuse, and the proclamation recognizes those who work to prevent substance abuse.
This month and every month, RSAPP joins President Obama in honoring and appreciating the professionals, volunteers, parents, and community members young and old who bring their energy, expertise, creativity and concern to this important community issue. Thank you all!
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RSAPP AmeriCorps Team Sworn-in at Capitol
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AmeriCorps members
swarm Colorado's Capitol
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On September 12, 1994, then-President Bill Clinton swore-in the first team of AmeriCorps members, telling them, "You're what's right with America." Twenty years later, RSAPP's newly-formed 2014-15 team of AmeriCorps members travelled to Denver for a statewide swearing-in ceremony with Colorado Supreme Court Justice Rice. Standing in front of the Capitol Building, RSAPP's team joined AmeriCorps members from across the state in taking the AmeriCorps Pledge. After the ceremony, members participated in a service project doing fire restoration work near Manitou Springs.
AmeriCorps' 20th Anniversary was celebrated across the nation on
September 12, as President Obama and state leaders swore-in AmeriCorps teams everywhere Since the initial team was inducted, 900,000 people have joined AmeriCorps, serving more
than 1.2 billion hours. US Ambassador Alan Solomont says, "National Service is all about engaging Americans in solving community problems. That idea is as old as America, but it is made new with each generation." Happy 20th Anniversary, AmeriCorps!
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RSAPP Board Updates
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Lauren Ellison,
RSAPP Board President
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Lauren Ellison and Lynn Westberg have joined RSAPP's Board of Directors, each bringing decades of relevant professional experience as well as deep commitments to supporting youth and effective prevention. Lauren and Lynn join founding Board Members Chuck McAfee (treasurer), Kay Daves (Secretary), and Eileen Wasserbach (Director).
Lauren Ellison recently retired after a successful and varied career in education. She has taught science and math to students grades 5 through adult, and most recently worked helping youth with disabilities transition from high school. Lauren developed and coordinated the region's Check & Connect Program for San Juan BOCES, serving as an RSAPP Site Partner in this role for several years. She's a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Conservation Legacy, and is a past board member of Community Connections and Southwest Conservation Corps. Lauren values partnerships and is a strong advocate for youth of all abilities. Due to Lauren's experience and familiarity with RSAPP, AmeriCorps, Check & Connect and board operations, she was elected to be Board President after just a few months of service. She is diving right into her new role, and her leadership and resourcefulness are most welcome.
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Lynn Westberg,
RSAPP Director
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Another recent retiree, Lynn Westberg found her passion in public health, and worked in that field for 38 years. She started as a public health nurse, and then served as the Executive Director of San Juan Basin Health Departme
nt for 24 years. After retiring from full-time work, Lynn has worked as an adjunct professor, a survey team coordinator, and a volunteer coordinator. Community is important to Lynn, and she is involved in the Rotary Club of Durango, the Ethics Committee for MRMC, the Human Rights Committee for Community Connections, and serves on the board of the Citizens Health Advisory Council. Lynn says, "I am personally committed to a focus on prevention, believing that the vast majority of our health and societal problems could be prevented or minimized." RSAPP is fortunate to have Lynn on board.
This Fall, Kelsie Borland, RSAPP's Acting Executive Director, will nominate an AmeriCorps member to serve as a Liaison to the Board.
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Promote Prevention during Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31
Red Ribbon Week is the largest and longest-running drug abuse prevention event in the United States. RSAPP partners and AmeriCorps members will host activities throughout southwest Colorado as part of this national event. Many activities this year will educate youth about the dangers of marijuana edibles, a current Colorado concern. To learn more about Red Ribbon Week activities in the region, contact the RSAPP AmeriCorps members serving in your community.
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Want to Support RSAPP?
Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partners appreciates financial contributions of any size, and welcomes in-kind donations of needed goods or services. RSAPP is a nonprofit corporation exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3), and all donations are tax deductible. You can donate by using the PayPal button at www.rsapp.org, or do it the old-fashioned way by mailing a check payable to RSAPP to: PO Box 4378, Durango, CO 81302. For more information, contact RSAPP
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Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partners (RSAPP) works towards a vision of "engaged, thriving youth invested in strong communities throughout southwest Colorado." Thank you for being part of RSAPP! If you have any submissions for our next newsletter, please send them to us: [email protected]
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