NEO has been selected to present at the Youth Summit for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Conference!

NEO Coordinators and co-founders Halli Ellis and Lynn Skrukrud will be leading the presentation for approximately 200 youth from all over the nation.  Nearly 2000 people from around the U.S. will be attending the conference, this presentation will give NEO the opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and inspire others to take action.  The workshop is based on NEO’s drug and alcohol prevention strategies that were developed right here in Grass Valley and will include an overview of NEO, event planning, information on roots causes of drug abuse and fun activities including a Beauty Walk.  “It’s our turn to give back and hopefully inspire others to take what they learn and apply it to their communities,” said Halli.

Halli and Lynn first travelled to the CADCA Conference in 2009, at that time they made it their goal to be able to present about NEO and share their message on a national level and they are thrilled to be accomplishing that goal just over 3 years later.  Lynn reflected on their acceptance stating, “We have a unique and innovative approach to prevention and I think that’s why we were chosen to present.”

NEO is a new way of thinking around making the choice to live a healthy lifestyle.  NEO strives to empower young people to make healthy choice through positive alternative activities.  Last year alone, NEO hosted over 80 events and activities with nearly 7000 people participating!

In all five members of The Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County will be attending, including Program Director, Ariel Lovett and Program Coordinator, Shelley Rogers and member Don Besse.  The conference is being held from February 6-9th in Baltimore, MD.

Halli is currently a junior at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she is studying Sociology.  Lynn is a senior at Sierra Nevada College in Lake Tahoe where she will be receiving her degree in Management Studies this spring.  The two started NEO almost four years ago when they were only 19 years old with the help of The Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County and Friday Night Live.  They started NEO to go beyond traditional prevention, by addressing the root causes of drug use.  “We believe that ultimately, on some level, everyone understands that drug are bad for their health, yet young people continue to use drugs.  We created NEO to be a new way of thinking where young people identify the influences in their lives and to create positive peer groups through healthy alternative activities,” explained Lynn.

NEO will be hosting a practice presentation of their workshop this Saturday, January 28th at the Briar Patch Co-op in the Community Room at 1pm.  All community members are invited to attend and provide feedback.

R.S.V.P. to the meeting!

Halli & Lynn in Washington D.C. for the CADCA Conference in 2009

Gift wrapping if free, but donations are appreciated! We will be located in Santa’s Workshop (the old Confectionately Yours) from 6-9pm.

Or stop by the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County booth, located in front of Cirino’s on Main Street to pick the latest edition of the NEO Zine.

Catch a FREE showing of Home alone at the Del Oro theater this Friday, December 2nd at 3pm.

The movie is being shown in an effort to create awareness about the effects of smoking in movies.  Atendees will be asked to STOMP when they see someone smoking in the film.  The stompimg is a way to create awareness about how many times smoking appears in movies and to understand how influential it can be to young people. 

The event is being hosted by the Nevada County Y.O.U.T.H (Youth Opposing the Use of Tobacco for Health) Coalition, The Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County & NEO.

To RSVP on Facebook click here!

NEO Zine – Vol. 2