Local organizations to provide
information and resources to youth and families
Boulder, CO – On Saturday, June 6, 2015, the vocal band Face
will provide a free, 90-minute concert that will feature a set list focusing on
supporting and inspiring young people. Local organizations will also be on hand
to share information about local activities, programs, and supports that are
available for youth and their families.
“We
know that summer can be a more stressful time for many youth because they don’t
have the structure, resources, and/or respite that school may provide,” said
Jenny Hecht, Boulder County Public Health Inspire Youth Connections program
specialist. “This event aims to connect young people
and their families to supports available in the community throughout the year,
but especially during the summer.”
When: Saturday, June 6,
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Boulder Bandshell,
1212 Canyon Blvd., Boulder
What: Youth and parent
resource fair, vocal band performance by FACE, yoga class
Cost: Free
The
concert and event is structured around the eight strengths that serve as the
foundation of the national Sources of Strength (SOS) program: family support,
positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality,
medical access, and mental health.
“We hope the event will encourage
youth to participate in programs and activities through the summer that can
support their wellness in one or more of the eight SOS strengths,” said Hecht.
Resource
fair attendees include Colie’s Closet; MESA (Moving to End Sexual Assault);
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Non-Violence (SPAN); Peers Building Justice
(PBJ); OASOS (a program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and
questioning [LGBTIQ] youth); Boulder Public Library Teen Program; Attention
Homes/The Source; OUT Boulder; SHAPE; Body Positive, YMCA teen programs,
GENESIS/GENESISTER; Cultiva Youth Gardening Project, Youth Global Leadership;
and Mental Health Partners.
-end-
Background
Sources of Strength (SOS) is a
nationally recognized, evidence-based, best practice peer leadership program
that utilizes the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and
culture. The program is designed to:
- Prevent
suicide
- Reduce
bullying
- Decrease
substance abuse
- Enhance
school bonding/engagement
SOS
builds upon the strengths of adolescent and young adult coping skills by
increasing help-seeking behaviors and connections between peers and caring
adults with a focus on hope, help, and strength. The program’s approach to
youth suicide prevention moves beyond focusing only on risk factors to building
multiple sources of support around young individuals so when times get hard,
they have strengths to rely on.
The
SOS program is currently implemented in Boulder County at:
- Fairview
High School (implemented in the 2012-13 school year).
- Southern
Hills Middle School, Boulder High School, Nederland Middle/Senior High
School (implemented in the 2013-14 school year).
- Arapahoe
Ridge High School (implemented in the 2014-15 school year).
-
Boulder
County Public Health OASOS Program, which provides support and advocacy for LGBTIQ youth
in Boulder County.
