Community Alliance for Teen Safety
 Safe Homes & Communities

Community Alliance
for Teen Safety
11 Peabody Rd, #1
Derry, NH 03038
603.434.5251



This Issue
Resources
CATS has a New Office
Welcome New Staff
Youth Updates
Regional Efforts
Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk

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NH Resources

 

CATS Staff

Sue Centner,  
Director

Patrick McGinnis,
Program Director

Kaitlyn Clarke,  
Youth Coordinator

Paula Galvin,



 


January 2013
 

Dear Friends of CATS,

 

Happy New Year to all!

May the dedicated efforts of so many in our community continue to foster a safer and healthier community in 2013.

 

This year at CATS we look forward to recognizing and celebrating the efforts of local youth as they strive to encourage their peers to make safe decisions. The new Youth in the Round series and the media groups will provide inspiration about and insight into the issues that are important to this population. We will keep you updated about their progress and encourage the community to support their efforts.

 

It is that time of year again! Another Super Bowl is fast approaching which often brings fans together for parties and celebrations. Please check the link on our web site for safe party tips and remember that fans don't let fans drive drunk!

  

Sue Centner, Director
director@catsnh.org

CATS is Moving!

The CATS offices will be relocating to a larger space at 1 Hood Road in Derry as of February 1st. You'll find us on the first floor basement level in the Church of the Transfiguration. More about the move in the next newsletter!

 

CATS Welcomes New Staff and Board Member

Welcome to Patrick McGinnis who has joined CATS as the new Program Director. Patrick is a SGT in the NH National Guard and was a member of the NH National Guard's Counter Drug Task Force for several years. Patrick resides in Derry with his wife and 2 children.

 

Welcome to Frank LeBlanc owner of American Pride Woodworking and the Growth Rings Outreach Program in Derry  http://www.americanpridewoodworking.com/ , who has recently joined the CATS Board of Directors.

 

Strengthening the Concord Community's Safety Net:
How You can Help Prevent Suicide



Date: Thursday, January31, 2013
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Venue: NHTI, Grappone Hall, Concord Orthopaedics Auditorium

In NH, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young
people through the age of 34. When someone dies by suicide, the risk of suicide for others may be increased. This awareness program by NAMI Connect is offered to adult members of the caring community of greater Concord to understand how we can prevent suicide. Participants will learn about:
  • Recognizing and responding to someone at risk of suicide
  • Connecting someone at risk to key community services
  • The far-reaching impact of suicide
  • Factors that can increase or lower the risk of suicide
  • The effectiveness of prevention efforts
  • Resources for people who have lost someone to suicide

Flyer

 

There is no charge for this program, but registration is required.


Contact: Donna Dooley,  

Director of Student Development & Counseling Services

NHTI 

ddooley@ccsnh.edu
603.271.6484, x4158  

Youth Activity Updates

A New Derry CTV series by and for Youth

Watch for the new Youth in the Round series to be filmed at the Derry CTV studio! Youth in the Round will be hosted by Krysta Lewis, senior at Pinkerton, and will provide opportunities for youth to talk about youth issues. Contact the CATS office if you have: 1) ideas for discussion topics; 2) know a youth who might like to be involved or be a guest at the round table; 3) wish to provide subject matter expertise or support on a specific topic.  

 

Media Group Produce PSAs

Members of the CATS Youth Media group who attended media camp last summer have been working on 2 PSAs about bullying. The PSAs should be completed in late January at which time the group will plan their next project. The members meet at the Derry Cable Television studio under the guidance of video producer Sean Zajac and CATS Youth Coordinator, Kaitlyn Clarke.

Media group members at DCTV
  Buyer Beware! 

 

Youth members of CATS helped reinforce a Buyer Beware message before the holidays by placing stickers on multi packs of beer that warn buyers it is against the law to sell alcohol to minors. Manager Don Michaud of Hannaford's in Derry welcomed the youth members to his store for the stickering project.

Brittney, Kelcie, Rachel, Shayna, Kellie at Hannaford's 
 

Stand Up to Bullying! 

Kellie Griffin, freshman at Pinkerton and CATS youth member, with CATS Youth Coordinator, Kaitlyn Clarke, attended the 2012 Stand Up to Bullying! rally at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on Nov 29th along with thousands of students from neighboring states. Inspirational speakers talked about their personal struggles with bullying and students had the opportunity to partner with students from other communities to share their strategies for addressing bullying in their schools. http://www.standuptobullying.org/

 

Celebrating Regional Collaborative Efforts
The Greater Rockingham Regional Network, Allies Substance Abuse Prevention, celebrated people and partnerships at Pinkerton Academy on Nov 27th with a number of guests from around the region. Presenters talked about several of the Strategies that are part of the larger regional prevention plan such as Life of an Athlete, Healthy Workplace Initiatives, Youth Leadership, and Prescription Drug Take Back efforts. Tym Rourke from the NH Charitable Foundation provided insight about future funding and the new regional alignments that will be in place as of July 1st. The Derry Police Department was recognized for their outstanding efforts during the 5 Prescription Drug Take Back events and their overall collection of the most unwanted and expired prescription medicines in the county.

Regional Coordinator, Sandi Rubchinuk, has scheduled two roundtables in 2013 as follow-up discussion opportunities. They are Jan 15th from 3pm to 5pm at People's United Bank in Exeter and on June 18th from 3pm to 5pm, location TBA. For more information about how to get involved and other opportunities associated with the regional prevention plan contact Sandi at srubchinuk@uwgs.org .

 

Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk
Super Bowl Sunday is February 3rd


If you're attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game
at a sports bar or restaurant:

*Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
*Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself. Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
*If you don't have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or if possible stay where you are for the night and don't drive until you are sober.
*Never let friends drive drunk. Arrange a safe way for them to get home.
*Always buckle up. It's still your best defense against other drunk drivers.

If you're hosting a Super Bowl party:

*Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
*Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
*Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.
*Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.
*Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.
*If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent may be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.
*Likewise, parents or other adults who provide alcohol to, or host a party where alcohol is available to, those under age 21 could face jail time.

 

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.