What's Happened?
October 2009:
Holyoke Youth Commission and Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy
Council Host Youth Candidate Forum
On October 27th, the Holyoke Youth Commission and the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council brought together candidates running for Mayor and City Councilor At-Large for a forum dedicated to the questions of youth from the community. Holyoke youth posed questions from topics such as gang violence to community gardens.
Youth Commissioner and moderator Lee Eaton said of the event, "It was cool to hear what the candidates felt about the different issues and how the community might be different if they were in office."
This the second Youth Candidate Forum hosted by the Holyoke Youth Commission.
See the footage on Youtube by clicking here!
September 2009:
Youth Commissioners Conduct Sticker Shock Campaign
Holyoke—On Saturday, September 26 th, seven Holyoke Youth Commissioners partnered with Liquors 44, located at 44 Lincoln Street, on a project to reduce underage drinking. During a Sticker Shocker Project, stickers are placed on multi-packs of alcohol reminding the consumer that it is illegal to purchase alcohol to those under 21. The Youth Commissioners also distributed bumper stickers as part of the Holyoke Youth Task Force marketing campaign to reduce underage drinking.
Why is this important?
- Alcohol kills more people under 21 than all other illicit drugs combined
- Alcohol is associated with the leading causes of death among youth (i.e.: motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides, drowning)
- Underage drinking costs our society approximately $61.9 billion dollars a year
*MADD Massachusetts
September 2009:
Holyoke Youth Commission: "Fit" for Media Spotlight!
The Holyoke Youth Commission and the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council received fantastic media coverage on
WFCR for their Biking Strategy Team and the leadership of the youth working to establish a youth-run bike shop/earn-a-bike program in Holyoke.
(for more information about what the strategy team is up to, check out the Holyoke Food and Fitness
walking & biking blog!)
Karen Brown (2009-09-09
June 2009:
Holyoke Youth Task Force Celebrates Community Stars!
On June 19th, Holyoke had its own "Oscars" celebration! There were many stars that walked the red carpet at the Holyoke Health Center as the Holyoke Youth Task Force honored outstanding Community Stars! All through the months of May and June, the Holyoke Youth Task Force had been asking community-based organizations, schools, youth, and the community at-large to nominate stars from the community to be recognized at the Holyoke Youth Task Force annual recognition event. Traditionally, this event had only recognized outstanding youth in the community. This year, those people who have helped youth succeed were also honored: parents/guardians and youth workers! It was a beautiful event with music by award-winning musician, Eveyln Harris.
Prevention Needs Assessment Survey to Holyoke Youth
The Holyoke Youth Task Force in partnership with the Holyoke Public Schools implemented the Prevention Needs Assessment Survey to all 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in Holyoke Public Schools. The survey shows the risk and protective factors of Holyoke youth. This data is vital in guiding the direction of portions of the HYTF coalition's work. Please look here for results of the Spring 2009 survey this summer.
May 2009:
Holyoke Youth Task Force Celebrates Holyoke's SUPER YOUTH!
Youth from multiple agencies across Holyoke were honored as Holyoke's Super Youth for working in prevention and promoting a healthy community on May 28th at the United Congregational Church. Youth honored were involved in collaborations from Youth Empowered to Succeed: A youth-development approach to reduce violence in Holyoke, BSAS : A multi-approach, underage drinking prevention collaboration of the Holyoke Youth Task Force, Food and Fitness Policy Council : a community driven project for a sustainable food system and an active living environment.
March 2009:
Holyoke Youth Commission Hosts Youth Summit
On March 26th, the Holyoke hosted a Youth Summit to help to create a Vision Map of youth ideas to make Holyoke better. Members from seven youth organizations worked in teams to express their ideas in pictures words and symbols and then presented their ideas. The top five ideas were selected by the group where these images will be used to create the Community Vision Map. The project was planned and put on by the Holyoke Youth Commission and is supported by the Holyoke Youth Task Force and funding from the Massachusetts Department of Health Youth Violence Prevention Program and a Case Foundation Making It Your Own Award. The project was one of 20 of almost 5,000 applicants nationwide to receive the award. See the Case Foundation for more information.
