The dad’s program is called All Pro Dad and was founded by Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy.  The All Pro Dad’s program will be held the first Wednesday of the month from 7:30 – 8:15 am in the Chenowith Elementary School cafeteria.  The I Mom program will be held the third Wednesday of the month, same time and place.

The main focus of this program is strengthening the bond between parent and child.  If you do not have a father or mother in your child’s life please feel free to pair up with another male or female role model in your child’s life.  The program is not gender specific.  A dad will come with a son and or daughter and the same for the moms day.

If you would like more information on the programs you can go to www.allprodad.com or www.imom.com.   If you would like to RSVP for the monthly event (help us get a more accurate count for donuts and drinks) please do so by replying to this post and leave your name and contact information in case we have to cancel due to bad weather.

YOUTHTHINK has two positions open on its Executive Board.  Positions are a three year commitment.  If you are interested please contact Debby Jones at debbyj@co.wasco.or.us for more specific information.  Elections will occur at the Feburary 8th YOUTHTHINK meeting.

Animoto – Reality Tour Nov. 2011

Thank you, thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Challenge Day such a huge success.  Freshmen, student leaders, adult leaders, Cousin’s Country Inn, The Dalles Wahtonka High School, YOUTHTHINK … everyone played an important role.  Over the two days in The Dalles and one day in Dufur over 350 individuals experienced what it could feel like to be treated with respect and honor.  It was an incredible experience but can it last?  That is up to each of us.  The Dalles students indicated that the following suggestions would make a difference:

• Less judgement
• More compliments
• Treat others how you would want to be treated
• Respect each other
• Start a Be the Change Club (Look for this to happen in January!)
• Don’t be fake
• More cross-class activities – get to know each other
• Less bullying
• Look for the lonely and reach out
• Say “HI” to everyone
• More hugs!
• At least one time a day step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone new
• Challenge Day “booster” activities
• End gossip
• Search out new people and make them feel welcomed
• No put downs
• Weekly Be the Change reminders (Look for this to begin in January)

These are all great ideas and YOUTHTHINK will do it’s part to help us all remember that great feeling we all shared, but it starts with the individual … you and me creating the change.  History starts now … lets make it something to remember for the good!  Be sure and check out this years video.  Animoto – Challenge Day 2011

Audience members will have the opportunity to participate with “clicker units” similar to those seen on the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” TV show.  Data will be calculated instantly and compared to the actual data that the youth reported. Adult perceptions will be matched up with actual survey results from our community’s youth.

One of the survey results indicated that 81% of our youth did not feel that their community valued them.  Please join YOUTHTHINK and show our youth we do care by joining in on this fun and interactive way to learn and help make a difference in our community. Presentation held at The Dalles Middle School, 5:30—6:45 pm.

Did you know … 70% of people 12 and older who abuse prescription drugs get them from family or friends?  Did you know … a study of 139 streams in 30 states, found drugs in 80% of water samples?

Join YOUTHTHINK as we co-sponsor the second Drug Take Event for our area.  The event will take place on Saturday, October 1 from 10:00 – 2:00 pm at MCMC’s Water’s Edge facility.  The Take Bake event is inconjunction with the Health and Wellness Fair.   This is an easy way to dispose of your medications that you are no longer using.  Feel free to bring vet medications also.  The last event collected over 50 lbs of medications.  A number of community partners are coming together to host the event including: YOUTHTHINK, Mid-Columbia Medical Center, Planetree Health Resource Center, Eaastern Region Oregon DEQ, The Dalles Police Department, Wasco County Sheriff Department, Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling.

If you have questions contact Debby Jones at YOUTHTHINK, 541-506-2673

 Quincy the drug dog shows off his favorite reward after successfully finding the hidden drugs druing the YOUTHTHINK Be Aware and Care – Drug Recognition presentation.  Many audience members asked for additional information such as what certain drugs look like, how to know if someone they know is on drugs and slang terms for drugs.  The following links will provide a beginning resource for those questions.

YOUTHTHINK does not promote or endorse the content of these websites but feel that they are a good starting poing in your efforts to help your community.

What do drugs look like:

http://wweb.uta.edu/projects/sswtech/sapvc/resources/pictures_of_drugs.htm

http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php

How do I know if my loved one may be using drugs:

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tipsforparents/a/quiz_parents.htm

http://timetoact.drugfree.org

http://www.teenswithproblems.com/drugabuse.html

http://www.teensusingdrugs.org/sands.pdf

Street/slang names for different drugs:

http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/top-20-drugs-and-their-street-names

http://www.street-drugs.org/article_Street-Drug-Slang.htm

Join YOUTHTHINK and Oregon State Senior Troopers Kendra and Kaipo Raiser for a presentation that includes information on drug and paraphernalia recognition as well as details about local drug trends.  This session will help parents, grandparents and caring adults become educated about what to look for and be aware of as they interact with the children in their lives.  The presenters will offer the facts adults need to know to safeguard and guide children in the age ranges of the 5th through 12th grades.  The presentation will include real samples, a drug dog and the answers to your questions about drug use, availabilty and prevention techniques.  The message is targeted towards adults. 

This is the first in a series of “Be Aware and Care” information sessons YOUTHTHINK will be implementing to educate the community of risk and protective factors as well as current substance use information.  The public is encouraged to attend, Wednesday, September 14, 5:30 pm at The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St. in The Dalles.

When:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 5;30 – 7:00

Where: The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St. The Dalles

Presented by: YOUTHTHINK and Oregon State Police

What:  The information our community needs to know about the changing drug scene in Wasco County

Why:  To help parents, grandparents and caring adults safeguard the children in their lives as they face the decision to experiment with drugs, the effects of drugs in our schools and neighborhoods, and the local drug culture.