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 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...

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 (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...

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.

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:

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.”

Click on the image below to read all the reasons it is so important for youth to participate in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).