Teen Space: What You Don't Learn in Textbooks

As some of you know, this will be our 5th year putting on successful Kid Expo events- we have been able to capture the heart of the community and the attention of young kids that are so susceptible to danger. One core group we have not focused on is young adults (teens of the age of Molly Bish herself- as she was 17 years old when abducted). Young adults might not face the same dangers as young children- but in many cases they face ones that are even more life threatening- when they start assuming their own life- in their very own hands- while still juggling: school, peer pressure, work, friends, dating, home, gaining self confidence and assurance and many of the other influences young adults battle. It's stressful as you all willrecall- and as years go by- teens lives get even harder and more challenging as our communities change.

It is with great pleasure to announce on April 16th- from 4-8:30 we will be hosting Teen Space: What You Don’t Learn in Textbooks event at MWCC's Gardner campus for the area's youth to encourage open dialogue for youth (and a separate track for parents) on very pertinent issues. The event is hostedby The Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety, MWCC and Heywood Hospital in partnership with District Attorney Joe Early's Office, Hannaford Supermarkets, MWCC faculty and staff, Professor Lefrancois, our fabulous service learning students from Professor Lefrancois's class, Communities of Care, Heywood Hospital practitioners, the Partnership for Latino Success, the Rape Crisis Center, The Cleghorn Neighborhood Center and many other local organizations in our region to create this space for teens and their parents.

If you would like more information about this event- or would like me to mail you some flyers- please be sure to contact me at ahart@mwcc.mass.eduor (978) 630.9458.

Please click here for the Flyer!

Please click here for the Postcard!

Teen Space: What you don’t learn in text books

(cooler spin off of Kid Expo (or in this case- Teen Expo) because of the excitement of young adults with MySpace)

Teen Schedule:

1. 4-8:30PM Resource Fair and snacks – DURATION OF EVENT

2. 6-6:45- 1st breakout Session- select from 3 choices (below)

1. Breaking Boundaries on Violence- Teen Dating Violence and It’s Effect on Health

Our aim is to promote healthy relationship- and being a vessel for learning and listening. Massachusetts Department of Public Health indicates that young girls experiencing dating violence are at increased risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, pregnancy and suicide. The use of violence, both physical force and emotional/psychological battery, can have leave lasting negative consequences for the teen survivor in terms of behavioral risks and harm. The disempowerment and abuse, coupled with difficulty in accessing appropriate resources, can give a teen a sense of personal hopelessness that may lead to risky or self-harming coping strategies.

2. Eating Healthy-Living Well…

An open discussion about the need for maintaining balance and a healthy relationship with food – focusing on obesity, stress reduction, and eating disorders and ways to keep fit… Focus on “maintaining balance” for teens.

3. Body Image and Mind

Media-literacy workshops take a spirited, sassy, and informative approach to teaching young adults how to "read" and process the media messages they see every day. Our aim is to inoculate young adults against potentially harmful messages that can damage their self-esteem and body image.

7-7:45PM- 2nd breakout Session- select from 3 choices (above)

4. 8-8:30PM- dialogue for teens

Parent Schedule:

4-8:30PM Resource Fair and snacks – DURATION OF EVENT

1. 1st breakout session - Internet Safety

2. 2nd breakout session- Parents Guide to Feeding Well…

4. 3. 8-8:30PM- dialogue for parents- on communicating effectively with teens

Thank you all for your continued efforts ensuring health and safety of our emerging leaders. Their strength and successis attributed to all of you.

In appreciation,

The Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety