Sticker Shock Campaign May 2024
On May 16th, West River Valley Thrives partnered with Scout BSA troop 428 to hold their first Sticker Shock event this year. The team delivered the event to five stores in the area, where stickers were placed on beer, wine coolers, and any other alcohol products. The...
West River Valley Thrives Presents the 2024 Youth Ally Award
In 2022, West River Valley Thrives (Thrives) introduced the Youth Ally Award. This award is an initiative to recognize those who work so hard to support the youth in our community. Studies show that youth who receive support from the adults in their community are more...
Lawn Sign Campaign Encourages Safe Celebrations and Shared Responsibility
Spring is an exciting time of year, especially for teens who are preparing to celebrate prom and graduation. Celebrating these milestones is pivotal for teenagers, as well as for their families and the wider community. It’s our job as parents and caring adults to make...
Green Up Day Celebration at Townshend Common
Green Up Day Celebration At Townshend Commons: Saturday, May 4 All Towns Welcome! Students from Leland & Gray’s Project Based Learning Event Planning class and the Community Hope and Action Planning Committee are hosting a fun, family-friendly, Green Up Day event...
Bringing Back Community Hope & Action
West River Valley Thrives is now working to bring Community Hope and Action back to life with new & old volunteers, community partners, ideas, and energy. With the initial goal of holding two events this year, as well as expanding its reach to the entire West River Valley, CHA is ready to hear from you. Your input is needed to help shape how the organization is re-envisioned and to provide ideas for what type of events and activities community members are interested in attending. Please use the survey link below to provide your input. Let’s see what we can create together!
Cannabis Conversations: Talking to Your Kids About Cannabis
Cannabis Conversations: Talking to Your Kids About Cannabis Cannabis (marijuana) use is becoming more widespread and will soon be more readily available here in the West River Valley. Now is the time to talk to your kids about cannabis, regardless of their age. Watch...
Lawn Sign Campaign Encourages Safe Celebrations and Shared Responsibility
West River Valley Thrives is launching its annual lawn sign campaign to bring awareness to the issue of teen alcohol use and parent/community responsibility around this topic. Let’s keep our teens and community safe this prom and graduation season. To display a free lawn sign in your yard, please email Sara Webb, wrvtengaged@gmail.com.
Teen Drivers in Windham County were involved in a record low number of crashes in 2022
In this letter to thrives, parents and community members, Deputy Sheriff Mike Roj recently reported the 2022 crash data within Windham County. Deputy Roj believes that these impressive numbers are the result of a combined effort from driver education instructors, parents, and teens. Mike’s research reveals that over the past 13 years, the following three risks contribute to the highest percentage of teen crashes. Click on the title to read the full letter.
A Letter to Parents About the Growing Youth Vaping Crisis
In the rural West River Valley, access to resources and services can be limited. Responding to the growing youth vaping crisis over the past few years has been particularly challenging, with most of the responsibility placed on Leland & Gray (L&G), our local middle/high school. The number of youth vaping has increased, and age of initiation has decreased. Therefore, it has become clear that our schools can not and should not be expected to deal with the problem alone. It takes all of us working together to have these hard conversations with our youth. We should have these talks often to reinforce our strong, non-judgmental message that we expect our youth to engage in healthy choices.
Leland & Gray administrators, staff, student members of the L&G Vape Task Force and Thrives Youth Engagement Specialist, drafted a letter to parents, to acknowledge the widespread use of electronic nicotine and cannabis vape products by students. This letter consists of some helpful information and resources to help us support youth in our community to make healthy choices.
National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week: Parent Edition
National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week:
Students spent the past week participating in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW), an annual health observance that connects youth with resources about drugs, alcohol, and related health topics. In Jaida Henry’s Health Class, 7th and 8th graders answered the question, “What is your Natural High?” Our choice for the most unique & fun answer: sporks! Check out the word cloud for all the responses. >>>
The same group of 7th & 8th graders were also asked to consider the facts about drugs and alcohol they want their parents to know. The students worked in small groups to put their facts on sheets titled, “Facts I want YOU to know about drugs and alcohol.”
Mixed Messages Targeting Youth
You have surely heard of the term, “Mixed Messages”. Our understanding of a mixed message is when someone is giving off a certain feeling or vibe but their actions do not match those feelings or vibes. Someone might say they enjoy spending time with us but when we ask them for attention, they do not show up or give us what we need. Someone may devour a meal we make for them but then communicate that it was the worst meal of their life. We encounter mixed messages daily.
Sometimes, mixed messages are harder to notice than other times and those other times, they can be incredibly obvious. But, did you know there are mixed messages targeted to children? Alcohol and tobacco companies create specific mixed messages of their products, their advertisements, and their product locations within stores to lure youth in, promote their product and make them think that use of their products isn’t unhealthy for them.
Some examples of these types of mixed messages are the location of alcohol beverages in stores. Notice that oftentimes, there are alcoholic beverages directly next to non-alcoholic beverages such as iced tea that you might allow your child(ren) to have. Or how packaging on cases of beer or vape and tobacco products is colorful and eye-catching? This isn’t for you! This is for youth!
Tobacco and alcohol companies use these advertising tactics to attract youth. This is how they ensure future users of their products. They may associate their products with familiar items such as movies, cartoon characters, and celebrities or candy and snacks, making their brand appealing to youth and enticing them to try their products. These tactics reduce youths’ perception of harm when these types of products are directly marketed toward kids making the individual feel that the product must be fun and maybe even good for them.
When adult products are placed next to products that are for anyone to consume, it can be hard to recognize. Be sure to always check the labels on the product you are purchasing for your child(ren). For example, if you are buying an iced tea beverage, double check the can or bottle to make sure it does not state HARD or ALCOHOLIC. Sometimes, it can be hard to notice these details.
Below are some examples of mixed messages. It is important for adults to talk to the youth and young adults in their lives to help them recognize and understand that though the products may seem harmless and fun based on their appearance or placement in a store, they are not.
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