It’s Friday, and fall...let’s talk about it all!
This week’s blog is written by Dion McGill, SCY Communications and Community Outreach Manager.
1) Strengthening Chicago’s Youth Annual Survey
Have you taken the SCY Annual Survey?
No???
Why not?
Share your feedback through Strengthening Chicago's Youth’s (SCY) 2019 Annual Survey!
This survey is intended to assess SCY’s strategies, activities, communication, and partner resources. Your feedback will give us a window into what we’re doing great, and what we can do better.
Additionally, this survey will help us to determine priorities for violence prevention, policy and advocacy, and future strategies and activities.
Completion of the questionnaire is voluntary, you may skip any question, and there are no right or wrong answers. The survey is anonymous, which means we will not be collecting identifying information about you. When you have completed the survey, you will also have the option of entering a raffle for a chance to win one of five $50 Visa gift cards. I consider that a win/win!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
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2) SCY Quarterly Meeting
This meeting will focus on the connection between justice reform and violence prevention. The topics explored will include addressing policies and systems that create racial disparities and providing better support and resources. A panel discussion and action-oriented breakout groups will examine how changes to the juvenile and criminal justice systems can result in less involvement for youth and help make communities safer.
Join SCY and partners across Chicago to explore the role you and your organization can play in addressing these issues, discuss asset-based solutions, and promote the health and healing of all Chicagoans.
SCY Quarterly meetings are also a great time to meet, network, and collaborate with like-minded individuals from across the city. You never know who will be in the room. I do know that we have a fabulous panel planned, and I will be there. Be sure to stop me and say hello.
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3) Time Vaping Article
It goes without saying that vaping is a hot button topic right now.
If you are a dedicated reader of our blog, you’ll recall the article I wrote previously on e-cigarettes, vaping, and Juul.
Additionally, Dr. Maria Rahmandar of Lurie Children’s spoke at a press conference with Senator Dick Durbin, shining a special focus on the dangers of vaping, and speaking from firsthand experience at the increase of adolescents that Lurie Children’s has seen as a result.
Now, an amazingly insightful and well written article was recently released by Time magazine.
How Juul Hooked Kids and Ignited a Public Health Crisis
As our Executive Director Rebecca Levin wrote in her letter this week in the SCY Newsletter:
“As part of SCY's work on substance use prevention, the topic of vaping and electronic cigarettes is a growing concern. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery has recently provided information and advisories regarding vaping related illness. SCY hopes that by sharing these recommendations with partners we can help keep Illinois and Chicago youth healthy and informed.”
Suggested Listening: The Juul Paradox
What's better: promoting e-cigarettes to help smokers quit, or restricting vaping so teens don't pick up a new nicotine addiction?
Listen to the podcast HERE.
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4) Spooky Ooky Kooky Contest
What is your favorite fall non-alcoholic drink?
SCY’s project Preventing Alcohol Abuse in Chicago Teens, as a part of their I Got This! campaign have announced the Spooky Ooky Kooky Contest.
Whip out that recipe, and you could have the chance to win a $25 gift certificate in our new fall mocktail contest.
Winners will be chosen and taste-tested by Strengthening Chicago’s Youth staff.
Entries can be posted now on either Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook using the hashtag #SpookyNotSpiked.
Also, be sure to follow I Got This on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!