It's Community Safety month in Next STEP. All month long Next STEP will be discussing and researching  how to be safe in the community. We will discuss what to do if we, or anyone we  know, is in an unsafe situation. We will talk about who to call to get help. We also hope to get a tour of the South Portland Police Department, where we can get some more ideas on how to be safe in the community and also discuss how to avoid unsafe situations.

Then, as we always do, we will be practicing what we learn when we are in the community. We will reinforce the need to be aware and safe no matter where we are in the community, whether we are shopping at LL Bean, on the Metro or walking in the community. Although we have done this curriculum unit in the past, it is always good to refresh our minds and focus on the skills and strategies that we have identified!

     

Next STEP is a great option offering quality curriculum for those who are on a waiting list for other services, in combination with other services, or for those who may not qualify for other services. Here are some comments from a parent and participant of Next STEP. From a parent: " I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for her. She adores STRIVE. She has really come out of her shell and that has a lot to do with Next STEP."   From a participant: "Next STEP is a safe place and a place to be stable and have friends. I have felt so much better since I have been coming."

Please contact Betsy Morrison at [email protected] or 207-774-6278 if you would like more information regarding Next STEP or would like to schedule a tour. Part-time and full-time options are available.  

During this past month, Bayside's participants worked hard on learning new goals as well as welcoming new participants into our program. We transitioned from learning about winter safety to a unit all about personal safety online and in the community. Learning group was dedicated to learning about the difference between private and personal information, and being aware of what is safe to share on the internet as well as with people in our community. We continued to clean out the fridge every Friday in order to get rid of things that had gone bad or we weren't eating anymore. One Friday, we created our own version of the Food Network show Chopped by making a meal as a group from the food we already had in the fridge! This activity taught us that we don't always have to go to the grocery store in order to make a yummy meal. The Bayside participants also took a trip to a new place in the community; the Southworth Planetarium to learn about other planets as well as dinosaurs. Although February brought some of the coldest temperatures of the year, we were determined to make it feel like summer by tie-dying t-shirts and listening to music as one of our Adventure Days!

Tweens had a very fun month of February! We particularly enjoyed decorating mugs and making Valentine's Day cards. This month we plan on enjoying the company of Portland Youth dance, The Children's Museum, and more. Check out our schedule for the month of March!