June Coalition Gathering

June Coalition Gathering
Thursday, June 19. 4:00-5:30pm
Parks Place
44 School St.
Bellows Falls

Join Team GFC for our monthly coalition gathering, now on a new day/time: every 3rd Thursday of the month, starting at 4pm.

This month, GFC will introduce the Ready By 21 group and share how community members can play a role in building community by supporting youth from birth to 21.

Ready By 21 is a diverse group of community members and organizations identifying ways to support families and improve systems in order to change the odds for children and youth. The goal is to have all young people ready by 21 for college, work and life. To find out more about the Ready By 21 model, click here.

We will also have some updates from our April 24 Community Forum follow-up, events and activities for the summer (including Park-a-Palooza III) and our annual July BBQ.

RSVP at our Facebook Event Page Here.

“More Dreams-Less Drugs!” Community Forum

April 24, 2014 community forum sponsored by Greater Falls Connections and MC’d by Mike Smith. The purpose of the forum was to learn more about why opioid use, misuse and addiction is happening in the Greater Falls Community and what the community can do to respond. Four panelists presented some powerful information and stories about “why here” and “why now.” We then spent the last half of the forum discussion solutions for addressing the issue and building a strong, vibrant community.

Monthly Coalition Gathering-New Day!

Monthly Coalition Gathering-New Day!
Thursday, May 15. 4:00pm-5:30pm
Parks Place
44 School St.
Bellows Falls

Join us for our monthly coalition gathering on a new day and at a new time! This month, we’ll be recapping our April 24th community forum and setting into motion the action steps created that evening. We’ll also be taking a closer look at our new social hosting campaign, “Safe Parties,” which empowers parents to say “no” to underage drinking. We need your help getting the word out and distributing materials, including lawn signs, posters and stickers.

Light food will be served. All are welcome! Bring your family, friends, children and co-workers!

 

Conversations on Co-Parenting

Conversations on Co-Parenting
Tuesday, April 22. Time, TBA.
Parks Place
44 School St.
Bellows Falls, VT

Sometimes a child’s parents do not live together under the same roof. It can often be a struggle to get past the anger, resentment and hurt lingering from an unsuccessful coupling. But, it is vital for us to work together for the benefit of our children.

Join the Southern Vermont Dads Network as we explore methods to communicate more effectively as co-parents, using tools from the book “Crucial Conversations-talking when stakes are high.”

To register and for more information, call Don Tretler at 802.254.3742 ext. 135 or donald_tretler@wsesu.org

Bellows Falls Healthy Community Day

Bellows Falls Healthy Community Day
Saturday, May 31. 11:30am-4:00pm
Waypoint Center
Bellows Falls

Live music, food, inspirational speakers, information about health and prevention, raffles, and much much more to promote a Healthy Bellows Falls.

The idea for this event stemmed from: recent data about substance abuse in our area, community perception towards youth, and wanting to promote healthy habits.

Organized by the Student Leadership Council & Above The Influence groups at the Bellows Falls Middle School

For more information or to make a contribution to the event (details below), contact Orianna Baez, BFMS Student Leadership Advisor at 802.463.4466 or orianna.baez@wnesu.com OR Jamie Card, WNESU Student Assistance Program (SAP) at 802.463.4366 at jamie.card@wnesu.com

The youth have a goal of raising $2,000. The following are some options to consider when making a contribution:

  • $300 – Your name, description, and logo on all marketing materials, website, and recognition at our event.
  • $200 – Your name and description on our marketing materials and website.
  • $100 – Your name and logo on marketing materials.
  • $50 – Your name on marketing materials.

Project Graduation 2014-Support Activities

Project Graduation 2014-Support Activities
April & May, 2014

Support Project Graduation!

Project graduation is sponsored by parents with help from kids, the school and generous support from the community. On graduation day (Thursday, June 12) after the commencement ceremony, the class heads to the Keene YMCA where they spend the night engaging in many fun activities including: swimming, rock climbing, dancing and basketball. They return in the following morning to a breakfast hosted by the American Legion.

Project Grad Raffle
To enter the raffle or to make a contribution, contact Carol at 802.869.2020 or at mooresinn@vermontel.net. First prize is $1,000, second is $250, third is $100. Tickets are $10. The drawing is April 15

Creating a Circle of Hope: Overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Creating a Circle of Hope: Overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Friday, April 25. 8:30am-3:00pm
Brattleboro VFW
40 Black Mountain Rd.
Brattleboro

Creating a Circle of Hope: Identifying, Intervening and Preventing Learning and Behavioral Disorders. An overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), it’s effects on individuals, families and communities

Guest speaker Kathleen Tavenner Mitchell, MHS, LCADC. Vice President & International spokesperson for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).

8:30am registration and breakfast. Lunch at Noon.

All are welcome, please RSVP @ 802.254.3742

National Rx Drug Take Back Day

National Rx Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, April 26. 10:00am-2:00pm
Various locations including:
Bellows Falls Police Department
170 Rockingham St.
Bellows Falls

Dispose of your unwanted and expired medications during Take Back Day. Safe disposal of your excess medications prevents them from being flushed into our water systems and reduces the social access of youth experimenting with medications as some youth believe misusing medications is a “safe” way to get high.

RSVP and share the Facebook Event Here.

Take Back Day disposal sites:

Brattleboro Police Department,
VT State Police Barracks (W. Brattleboro)
Bellows Falls Police Department,
Windham County Sheriff’s Department,
Dover Police Department, VT
Winhall Police & Rescue

Visit www.WindhamRx.org for more information

Prevention Day @ The VT Statehouse

Prevention Day @ The VT Statehouse
Wednesday, April 30. 9:00am-3:00pm
VT Statehouse
Montpelier, VT

Join people from across the state to celebrate substance prevention and community connection at the VT statehouse for “Prevention Day 2014”

Meet with legislators, tour the statehouse, see what youth and community groups have been doing to prevent substance abuse across the state.

For more details, registration and a schedule, contact Chad at 802.463.9927 ext 210.

Join our Facebook Event Here!

Click here for a full schedule of the days events.