A free event titled, Stress, Success and Teenage Setbacks: What to Expect the Teen Years, is set for Thursday, April 28, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Arch Street Teen Center.
The event, a collaboration of the Jr. United Way, GHS Outreach Club, Liberation Programs, Arch Street Teen Center, and O’Malley Wellness LLC, ideal for middle school and high school students, and will feature free swag bags, and raffles with amazing prizes, plus music by DJ Dexter Frisch.
The keynote speaker will be Greenwich High School graduate Scooter Braun, who is known to many as Justin Bieber’a manager. Mr. Braun is also responsible for shaping the careers of some of music’s biggest stars including Ariana Grande and manages talent including Black Eyed Peas, Martin Garrix and Karlie Kloss.
“In addition to speaking about his personal experiences, Scooter will talk about how he avoided destructive influences and made positive decisions by setting goals and having an active role in the community,” said Emily Zerbst, Greenwich Jr United Way Coordinator.
The event will also feature a panel of experts, who will share their experiences through real life stories and Q&A session. Parents are also welcome to attend.
The event will inform, inspire and encourage conversation about coping with the pressures young people face.
GHS Outreach Club at a recent health fair. Credit: Leslie Yager
The event is hosted by the GHS Outreach Club, and GHS Administration in partnership with Arch Street Teen Center, Greenwich Jr United Way, Liberation Programs, Beth O’Malley and members of PTAC health & Wellness committee.
Inspired by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the event will educate the community about preventing underage drinking.
Junior United Way members at a recent planning meeting for the townwide meeting at the Arch Street Teen Center. Credit: Leslie Yager
Health and Wellness teacher at the High School, Kathy Steiner, along with PTAC member Amy Badini, have worked together on community “call to action” events for over a decade. Badini and Steiner presented the idea to the Outreach Club. The club came up with the idea for a town meeting, timed to coincide with National Alcohol Awareness Month.
“Our goal is to start a town-wide discussion, and this event is a great opportunity to help both teens and parents understand their options,” Ms. Steiner said.
Steiner said that teens face setbacks, but, at the same time, unnecessary road blocks caused by self-medicating with drugs and alcohol can be prevented.
She also said said sometimes teens look to harmful substances when dealing with stress and for recreation.
“We need parents to work with us to change this cultural and social norm of underage drinking and drug abuse,” Steiner said.
“The Greenwich United Way is honored to have Scooter speak to teens and parents on behalf of Greenwich’s Jr United Way,” said Greenwich United Way CEO, David Rabin.
The GHS Outreach Club works against underage drinking. Their motto is “Keep yourself safe. Party sober.”
For more information about the SAMHSA initiative, follow the SAMHSA hashtag, #CommunitiesTalk for the latest news and resources.
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