Community Alliance for Teen Safety

Safe Homes & Communities

41 Birch Street / Derry, NH 03038 / 603.434.5251 / info@catsnh.org /www.catsnh.org



Spread the News!
Share SH&C! Use social media links or forward to a friend.

In This Issue
Call for Volunteers
Become a Seat Belt Observer
Buyer Beware Reminder
Community Alcohol Personality
Fight the Bite

 

CATS News & Events

 

News & Events

Communication Archives







 

CATS Youth meetings

are scheduled for the summer!

Wednesdays 6-8PM

Alexander Carr Park

June 29 - August 17

Learn more

 

Read the latest news articles bookmarked by CATS. delicious

 

Sign the seat belt pledge!

 

US DHHS: Quick Guide to Healhy Living

 

National Organizations for Youth Safety

 

July is UV Safety Month

 

You can take these steps to help prevent skin cancer:

1. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

2. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

3. Cover up with long sleeves and a hat.

4. Check your skin regularly for any changes.

 

CATS Staff

 

Sue Centner
 
Director

 

Paula Galvin, M.Ed.
 
Assistant Director

 

Kaitlyn Clarke,
 
Youth Coordinator

 

Community Alliance for Teen Safety is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to promote safe habits for all youth by increasing awareness of high-risk behaviors, encouraging healthy choices, and fostering community alliances. 

 www.catsnh.org

 

Find us on Facebook

   

 

July 2011

 

Dear Friend of the CATS Community,

 

We hope you all had a safe and enjoyable July 4th holiday! There are a number of summer days remaining for families to enjoy the wonderful variety of activities that can be found in our community. Please check out our calendar at http://catsnh.org/newsevents/calendar.html for a listing of some of the local events and activities.  Summer vacations are a great time to slow the often busy pace, turn off the televisions and computers and spend time out of doors with family and friends. Take a walk, explore the trails and beaches, read a book, learn a craft or about your family history.

Sue Centner

 

Thank you for your continued interest in and support for CATS.  Please contact us if you have questions or would like to get involved.

 

Stay informed and stay active! 

 

Best regards, Sue 

 

 Find us on Facebook

Volunteers Needed at Chester Public Library 

 

The Chester Public Library is holding some events in August and is seeking teen volunteers to help out.  Volunteers would help set up the events, serve refreshments, assist with activities, and help clean up.

 

The events are:

  • Harry Potter Party:Thursday, August 4th, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Pirate Party: Thursday, August 11th, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party: Thursday, August 18th, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

The Library staff is also looking for someone to help inventory old books. Duties include creating a list of these books and researching their values on websites such as Amazon and ebay.

 

Please contact Tim Sheehan at the Chester Public Library for more information. 

Telephone: 603.887.3404

Email: chesterpubliclibrary@gmail.com

Address: 3 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036 

 

Join the Seat Belt Observer Team

 

Do you think seat belts save lives?  Have you ever wondered how "they" know how many people are or aren't wearing a seat belt? Would you like to make a difference in your community?   Join the CATS Seat Belt Observation Team.  It's an easy way to get involved and make a difference.

 

"We" know how many people are or aren't wearing a seat belt by observing drivers for a designated period of time and entering the observation data onto a form. Observation data reports what is actually happening at that moment in time.  It provides a snapshot for CATS staff, law enforcement, and safety officials to better understand the reality of seat belt use and behavior.

 

"What if the same driver is observed multiple times?"

 

The CATS seatbelt observation survey is not an exact science. Each observation event represents a distinct snapshot in time and affords an opportunity to better understand trends and behaviors. 

 

"What data is collected?"

 

Data categories are presented in a table-format on a user-friendly paper form.  Observers select vehicle type, whether or not the driver is wearing a seat belt, the driver's gender, whether or not the front seat passenger is wearing a seat belt (if present), and their gender. Observers also record if the driver appears to be a teen or an adult.

 

"How do I learn more?"

 

Contact CATS to learn more.  We will provide training, supplies, and work with you to create an observation schedule.

156 vehicles were observed during a 20-minute period at the intersection of Lenox Road and Crystal Avenue in Derry.

 

Buyer Beware Reminder

 

CATS youth members conducted a project Sticker Shock activity with the support of local businesses in Derry. Brightly colored 3" x 3" stickers with the Buyers Beware, Providing Alcohol to Minors is a Criminal Offense message were placed on multi packs of beer.

 

Youth members had planned the activity during their meetings in June and conducted the activity on June 30th. Sticker Shock was conducted at Hannaford's Supermarket on Manchester Road and at Shaw's Supermarket on Crystal Avenue.

  

Kaitlyn Clarke, CATS Youth Coordinator supervised the activity with CATS Director, Sue Centner. Participating youth members were Korryn Lemay, Alyssa Miller, Kelley Wyman, and Steve Robinton. The activity was supported by Don Michaud, Manager at Hannaford's; Dave King, Sean Barry, Carin LaValley assistant managers at Shaw's; the Derry Police Department; and NH Bureau of Liquor Enforcement.

 

The CATS Youth members were concerned about the safety of their peers and wanted to provide a reminder to the public that providing alcohol to minors is against the law. Their activity was planned prior to the July 4th holiday when alcohol sales are typically higher and people gather for celebrations and parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Alcohol Personality

 

CATS youth members conducted the Community Alcohol Personality (CAP) Survey prepared by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in support of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Youth members, with the supervision of CATS Youth Coordinator Kaitlyn Clarke, visited 19 retail establishments in Derry to survey signage, placement and advertising of alcoholic beverages. The survey also captured the youth's observations about their community and school environments related to alcohol awareness, usage and policy.

 

Youth members had planned the activity during their meetings in June and conducted the survey on June 23rd and 24th. Participating youth members were: Korryn Lemay, Kathleen Felch, Krysta Lewis, Julia Pilla, and Alyssa Miller.

 

 

The CATS Youth members were interested in knowing more about the role of alcohol in their community, how many stores sell alcohol along with other commonly sought after items such as milk or soda and how the advertising, placement and availability may impact youth. The survey also helped the youth members discuss the policies in their schools, what they perceive as community norms, and their community profile. Many of the youth members were surprised by the location of the alcohol found in retail stores. In addition some commented on the fact that "we card signs" were lacking or hard to find in some establishments.

 

 

Fight the Bite

 US DHHS Office of Disease and Health Prevention

 

Is your family getting outdoors to enjoy the summer?

Don't let bug bites ruin your fun. Mosquitoes and ticks carry serious diseases, so protect yourself and your family from bites.

  • "Kiddie" pools are a great way for kids to splash around and cool down in the summer. Remember to empty the pool and store it upside down when they're done playing. The still water in a pool can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes-not the pals you want at the pool!
  • Heading out for a hike? Leave your shorts and sandals at home. Wearing long pants and socks can help protect you from ticks that hide out in tall grass.
  • Using the right bug spray is an easy way to help keep mosquitoes and ticks off of your skin. On your way outside for a morning jog or an outdoor concert in the evening? Mosquitoes bite most at these times, so take along a travel-sized repellent with 20 to 50 percent DEET.

Source: Quick Guide to Healthy Living (USDHHS)