New film focuses on ages 10-13
The Youth Initiative is creating a new film focused on young people ages 10 to 13. This film's goal is to help raise awareness in the community as to the realities young people in Windham County are experienceing and ways that adults can better support them in these formative years.

**We are looking for young people ages 10 to 13, parents of older teens and teachers who are interested in being in this film.
Please contact me (257-4011 or julia@helpempoweryouth.com) if you are interested in being on TV!

We are grateful to TSN The Student Network, Inc. and Bob Edwards for helping to create this film. Our first film shoot was a success and included 5 students from Twin Valley Middle School. Our next filming date is Thursday Dec. 16th in Brattleboro at 47 Williston St. from 2:30 to 5:00.

Check out new web site resource http://www.helpempoweryouth.com/
Log on and check out this fabulous new web site. We are adding information about local organizations and activities for young people of all ages every week. We want your organization represented so this site can be a central place for the community to know what is going on for young people.

We need your help in getting the word out to the community about this great resource. Please add this announcement to your next news letter:

Find out what is going on for youth - www.helpempoweryouth.com
The Windham County Youth Initiative is pleased to invite you to visit their exciting new web site, www.helpempoweryouth.com, which has been developed as a central place where parents, mentors, young people and organizations can find out what's happening for kids in Windham County. Check out the special events calendar, a list of ongoing activities and the organizations that provide them. There is also information about local and online resources for young people and families. Please visit the web site at school, in the library or at home to see all the great activities happening to help empower youth!
Many thanks go to Kelly Karcher, a student intern from the School for International Training, and Rebecca Procter, a student from Brattleboro Area Middle School, for helping to keep this web site up to date

Youth Summit Extravaganza Dec. 10
The Windham County Youth Council (WCYC) has been working hard over the past few months to bring you their third event designed to bring young people and adults from around Windham County together. The Youth Summit Extravaganza will be held at Latchis Theatre Dec. 10th from 5:00-8:00pm. It will be a fun filled evening of music, drama, poetry, and inspiration (performers include: Fonix, Jesse's Band, Ivy Ross, guest speaker Kimmie Weeks, and breakdancing). There will also be a Balloon Pop Raffle, an art gallery, information on local resources and FOOD. Bring your friends, co-workers, kids and neighbors to this FREE event organized by youth for youth.

*We would like to feature opportunities for young people to earn community service hours.

Please contact Julia Hampton (257-4011 or julia@helpempoweryouth.com) to give a description of an opportunity you can provide.

**MENTORING/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU!
WCYC is in need of new, enthusiastic adult supporters. Please contact Julia about how you can support this amazing youth leadership and community change organization.

Businesses Partnering to Help Empower Youth
H.E.Y.! Help Empower Youth has sent out letters through the Brattleboro and Greater Falls Chambers of Commerce inviting businesses to be partners in our efforts to raise awareness and create a community that supports, acknowledges and involves our young people. You should see H.E.Y.! stickers popping up in business and car windows. If you don't see a sticker in your favorite store's window, ask them if they have heard about H.E.Y.! and if they would like to receive a sticker to post and more information about how to be involved.

The stickers are symbols - declarations of the belief that it is important to support our young people. In addition, we are asking all community members to actively support young people. Attached are a few ways that businesses can help empower youth.

** H.E.Y.! wants to honor businesses that are taking action to empower young people in our community.

Log onto http://www.helpempoweryouth.com/info/info_business.html to submit information about what your business is doing or to learn more!

Developmental Assets Survey
The Developmental Assets survey provides information about the amount of positive supports, experiences and qualities our young people posess. In Windham County, all four school districts have now completed their second survey of students.
WSESU - received its results this summer and hosted a Youth Assets Retreat in October that engaged around 75 students in processing the survey data and making action plans to address key areas.

The students recommendations were presented to schools individually and at a Community Breakfast held on November 9th.

WSWSU - students completed the survey in November. The school should receive the results in the Spring.

WCSU - has recently received their results and are using them in action planning.

WNESU - received its results in Fall 2003

Suicide Prevention Training
The Suicide Prevention and Education Committee of the Deerfield Valley Communities is sponsoring a 4 hour workshop at the Brattleboro Retreat's Educational Conference Center on Monday, December 6th from 4pm to 8pm. There is no cost for this training! A $5 donation to cover costs would be great. Dinner can be purchased at the Retreat cafeteria.

Greg Miller, MEd, LCSW and Regional Director of Suicide Prevention Action-Network (SPAN) New England, will conduct the course under the guidelines of the U.S. Surgeon General's Blueprint for a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Participants become "Youth Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers". Anyone can become a Gatekeeper. Gatekeepers are trained to notice symptom in suicidal people and where to go for help. Participants will receive a certificate and be eligible for CEU credits if appropriate.
Why is this training being offered in the Windham County community and why is it important?
- To help keep the momentum building for support for what was begun by Vermonters for Suicide Prevention; to increase awareness of the problem of suicide.
- And, to help increase our understanding of the complex issues related to suicide and self-harm, so that all of us activists and advocates are armed with the knowledge and understanding to promote effective suicide prevention strategies for saving lives.
Who should attend the training?
- School personnel: mentors, classroom teachers, administrators, counselors, peer advisors
- First responders
- Teens
- ATOD Prevention professionals
- Medical staff
- Parents
- Community members
The training was recently offered in the Deerfield Valley area and strongly supported and attended. If you would like to learn more about the training, please contact Sally Bergquist at sally4th@together.net or 802-464-7261.


Job Opening
Program Coordinator for TobaccoOpposition Windham Northeast
24 hours a week, $20 hr, as an independent contractor, working in the Windham school district, providing education and programs for students K-12 around preventative education in the risks of tobacco use, and cessation opportunities for adults in this area. the position is grant funded, and you must have some experience in grant writing and management as well.

Please send resume, or call Nancy Clingon if you have questions:
460-2457
39 the square
Bellows Falls, VT 05101>
position open immediately.