Wakefield Police Officers Trained in Interface Referral Service: During the week of September 26th Catherine went to Roll Call briefings with Wakefield Police. Police officers had the opportunity to learn about this valuable resource and how it works. Each officer received referral cards.
United for Recovery: On September 27th, Wake-Up participated in the United for Recovery regional event with speakers and a candlelight walk.
4th Annual Parent University
April 29th Rx Take Back, we collected 320 lbs of unused prescription and over the counter medications were turned into Wakefield Police Department & Drop Box over the past six months and from the Take Back event on the 29th.
May 4th Wakefield Town Meeting attendees voted to ban Retail Marijuana establishments in Wakefield, this will be followed up by a local vote on the November election.
May 11th Wake-Up Co-hosted a Mental Health Forum at WMHS Saving Bank Theater, over 50 attendees learned about Interface Referral Service and the Keynote’s address on Anxiety Disorders
May 16th Wake-Up Annual Meeting featured a presentation from our Youth Action Team Leaders, Keynote from Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith, and honored Officer Amy Rando and Brendan Kent, our 2017 Community Award Winners. Best of luck to our graduating seniors, Eleni Rizos (St. Anslems), Marissa Hoffman (NYU), and James Connors (LSU)!
2017 Wakefield Teens Health & Safety Guide appeared as an insert in the Item and arrived in the mailboxes of all parents/caregivers of WPS students in grades 5-12. Thank you to sponsors and all coalition members who provided content for the guide.
Diversion Program Launches Wakefield Police Department & Wake Up launched the Wakefield Youth Diversion Program for individuals under the age of 21 that are found to be in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs. This pre-court program consists of a contract with multiple components that youth must complete over a six-month period. Classes will be instructed by a team of instructors that include WPS & Northeast Voke faculty, Health Department staff, and a mental health clinician. After participating in the class, youth will have a follow-up meeting with a mental health professional and when necessary, be referred to mental health or substance use counseling. Other components of this program include a written essay, community service hours, no negative police interactions, and the individual must remain drug/alcohol free during the contract dates. In the near future the Wakefield Public Schools and the Northeast Regional Vocational School will be adapting their own versions of this program for school-related substance use incidents. (LINK TO PRESS RELEASE)
WHS Fall Sports Night (September 5th) Maureen Buzby spoke to over 150 parents of WHS fall athletes on the increasing trend of vaping. Catherine provided each parent with a one pager, about ways parents can talk to their athletes about Alcohol, Tobacco/Vaping, and other drugs.
2017 YRBS Presented to School Committee (September 26th) Catherine and Brendan Kent presented the updated data with 7 year trend data, including 2017 comparisons to Middlesex League data. Concerning trends including significant increases in past 30 day vaping/e-cigs use (both Galvin & HS) and past 30 day marijuana use. LINK TO PRESENTATION
WMHS Senior Night & Healthy Senior Week Committee This new committee has been established to support a safe senior week and post-prom party. Wake-Up has been a key supporter of this group, hosting meetings, bringing together key stakeholders and supporting volunteers. Healthy Senior Night had a presence at WMHS Open House on September 28th.
September 30th Wake Up at Wakefield Farmers market Cold weather & rain kept farmers market traffic low.
Galvin Youth Action team started back up with packed rooms at each of the two meetings held so far. Club Advisor, Melissa Sousa (Galvin Health Teacher) is thrilled with the energy, thoughtfulness, & enthusiasm from this year’s group of youth!
Youth Action Team Updates
Family Feud at Galvin: On February 16th our Galvin Youth Action Team hosted over 100 Galvin youth for their 2nd annual Galvin Family Feud. The Galvin YAT organize the entire event from creating the school survey, developing a publicity plan, and running the event. The event was well received and the Youth Action Team is able to promote, positive, healthy activities while getting youth excited about joining the club.
Majority Rules, 8 out of 10 campaign wrapped up at the High School. Over 300 students took a post-campaign survey which demonstrated 95% of students surveyed saw the campaign. The Youth Action Team will share the results at the Annual Meeting.
May 19th Galvin Youth Action Team Hosted 1st Annual Galvin’s Got Talent event was a great success drawing a big crowd and a variety of acts including singing, dancing, gymnastics, magicians, musicians, and more!
Freshmen Health Classes Youth Action Team Leaders re-arrange their schedules to lead workshops with all of the Freshmen Health Classes. This year they focused specifically on the harms associated with vaping and marijuana use. They also talked about Mental Health resources and what to do when they or one of their friends needs help.
Warrior Pride Night Youth Action Team members had a successful evening, with record sign-ups of rising 9th graders interested in joining the High School Club.
July 20th Youth Action Team Leaders Present at DA’s Opioid Task Force Wake-Up Leaders presented to over 50 community leaders from Eastern Middlesex County on their Peer to Peer prevention strategies in Wakefield. The youth received very positive feedback from District Attorney and several audience members.
July 28th-31st 7 Youth participated in the Youth to Youth Conference at Bryant University. H.S. YAT Advisor & WMHS Health Teacher Lisa Silva and Youth Coordinator Kara Showers reported that the Youth Action Team Leaders and Galvin Club members bonded and gained a lot of knowledge to bring back to Wakefield.
August10th Sticker Shock Youth Action Team Leaders will place over 1,000 stickers on Alcohol at local liquor stores reminding individuals over 21 that it is ILLEGAL to purchase alcohol for minors.
8th Grade Leadership Summit Youth Action Team Leaders assisted Galvin Administrators by facilitating Teambuilding activities for rising 8th graders. The goal of this two-day event is to reduce bullying and empower 8th graders to build a positive school climate.
Youth Action Team Leaders & Vaping Videos Youth worked with the staff at WCAT to develop 3 videos aimed at helping parents & teachers understand the accessibility & risks involved with the increasing youth vaping trends here in Wakefield. Videos will be shared via email & social media from the Town Health Department, High School & Middle School Administration, and more.
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Youth Action Team & Healthy Living Expo (September 16th) Youth engaged with several community members young to old by volunteering at the Health Department’s Healthy Living Pledge Tree.
(September 19th) 1st annual Galvin Activities Fair Youth Action Team Leaders worked with Galvin Administrators to develop an after-school fair to expose Galvin youth to the wide variety of after school opportunities available to them (both in the school and in the community). Over 20 clubs were represented including Galvin YAT, Science Olympiad, Galvin Cross Country, Video Club, Drama, Boys & Girls Club, Student Council, Beebe Library, Wakefield Academy, & More! Over 300 students attended! 
