The Haven || Newsletter || Winter 2014

The Haven Youth Center is a service of and made possible by the continued support of the Martinsville community.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 87 Martinsville, IN

Youth News

Youth Center 39 East Jackson Street Martinsville, Indiana 46151

Volume 2 | DECEMBER 2014

T: (765) 342-5102 E: HavenYouthCenter@gmail.com Hosted by the First Christian Church

THE HAVEN AWARDED $2,000 POWER GRANTS FUNDING

Serving Martinsville Youth Since 1998 Mission Statement: The Purpose of The Haven is to provide youth a Safe Place to hang out with friends, visit, play games, eat, study, learn new skills, and do community service projects.

— or Current Resident —

LAURA BURNS, HOMEWORK SUPERVISOR Laura Burns, a senior at Martinsville High School, serves The Haven Middle School Drop-In youth as supervisor of homework help Mondays through Thursdays each week. Laura’s ability to tutor students stems from a superior work ethic and outstanding academic record at Martinsville High School, ranking in the upper 5% of the Class of 2015.

When she is not concentrating on academics, music occupies a large portion of Laura’s life. She is concert master of the high school orchestra, having played violin and piano for six years in addition to playing the dulcimer for four years. She sings in the high school choir and is also the pianist for her church on Sundays.

Laura’s extracurricular activities include being president of Leo Club, vice-president of Future Educators of America, membership in Drama, Spanish, Piano and Interactive Clubs.

Next year, The Haven will miss Laura as she will be attending IUPUI. Congratulations and many thanks, Laura.

4

Indianapolis Power and Light encourages its employees to become involved in their respective communities by nominating organizations they are passionate about and which fit into one or more of five giving areas. These are: community enhancement, economic development,

education, arts and culture. Mr. Alan Messmer of Martinsville, a 27 year employee of Indianapolis Power and Light, chose to nominate The Haven for this award because of The Haven’s work and support of the community.

The students and staff of The Haven wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Haven will be open 1pm to 5pm December 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31 during the holiday school break.

Special events are currently being planned including a New Year’s Eve party Wednesday afternoon, December 31.

ALL STARS PROGRAMMING The middle School drop-in program recently included All Stars in its fall agenda. Unfortunately, Morgan County has been identified as one of the five worst counties for prescription drug abuse in Indiana. All Stars is a fourteen session evidence-based program aimed at offering middle school youth valuable ways to make the best life skills choices.

This program, which began October 2, met twice weekly and concluded November 20. In addition to the fourteen sessions, the All Stars youth took field trips to the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center in Indianapolis and to see the movie Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.

1

By the conclusion of All Stars participants were able to make verbal and written commitments regarding life choices. A roster of 40 youth participated in the program with an average per session attendance of fifteen.

Funding for the entire effort was provided by the Morgan County Substance Abuse Council.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FOR YOUTH: Make it a habit to dream about your future.

BOWLING

LOVE NEVER MELTS… Painted by Elizabeth Vaught of Martinsville on an antique roofing tile, Love Never Melts was recently given to The Haven. What a beautiful thought for the season and all time!

FEELING FIT FRIDAYS SUMMARY AND CELEBRATION

Twenty-four youth and adults enjoyed an afternoon at the local Artesian Bowl the day before Thanksgiving. Taking advantage of the fact that school was not in session, the group worked on their bowling technique (some needing more polish than others, of course), but everyone reported having had a great time.

A stop at the local McDonalds and another hour playing pool and computer games back at The Haven marked the end of the day’s activities.

The 10th Friday in the Feeling Fit series was a celebration planned and prepared by the youth. Families were invited to share healthy snacks prepared by the youth, view a short video of the outdoor exercise program led by Anita Breen, hear about yoga and meditation from Kim Cooper of Breathe and Flow Yoga Studio, and learn how to help a choking person as demonstrated by students Karlee Arthur and Trinity Smith. At the close of the celebration seven family members received gift cards in the door prize drawing and all families were given important information on the prevention of drug abuse by youth.

CHILD PROTECTION REVIEW

ANTICIPATING SPRING

FEELING FIT FRIDAY TESTIMONIAL BY STUDENT LAUREN WHITAKER

Each year the staff and volunteers at The Haven participate in a review of Child Protection Policies of First Christian Church, the parent organization of The Haven Youth Center. Corey Long, Patty Champion, Michele Mathews and Judy Williams completed the training in early November.

The Haven has been awarded a 2015 Arts Grant by the Community Foundation of Morgan County. The grant will provide four Friday afternoon trips to Everything’s a Canvas, the art studio of Suzanne Lawler on the square in Martinsville. The theme for the project is “character and ability”.

Students will choose four character adjectives and four ability adjectives to use in their art. The finished pieces will be placed in 24x36 poster frames to display.

Feeling Fit Friday was an activity every Friday at The Haven from three to four. It was really fun. There were a lot of different activities, including self-image, nutrition, first aid, outdoor exercise, meditation, and yoga. One of my favorite activities was yoga.

This program was funded by a matching grant from Community Foundation of Morgan County.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS Nearly seven years ago at the 10th anniversary celebration for The Haven, an endowment fund was established at The Community Foundation of Morgan County. Each of the following years, The Haven has been the grateful recipient of the earnings of that fund. Over the years, gifts, memorials and donations have allowed the fund to grow and provide more earnings. Last year, a second fund, The Haven Endowment for Prevention, was established at The Foundation and monies from that fund

will be available in 2015 and years after for the ongoing alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) prevention programs at The Haven. As a reminder, friends who wish to include either or both of these funds in their 2014 giving, may submit checks to The Community Foundation of Morgan County with a memo to either fund. The Haven’s programs are always free to all youth and any support is gratefully appreciated.

2

First Aid class by Melissa Messmer R.N.

Yoga class by Kim Cooper

Nutrition class by Jill Frame

JOYFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE The Haven Drop-In middle school youth will travel to Wellspring in Martinsville December 12 to host an after school Christmas party. The special guests will be preschool and elementary age children who are residents of Wellspring.

The Haven youth are actively planning stories, a craft, games, refreshments as well as surprises to celebrate the season.

3

BOWLING

LOVE NEVER MELTS… Painted by Elizabeth Vaught of Martinsville on an antique roofing tile, Love Never Melts was recently given to The Haven. What a beautiful thought for the season and all time!

FEELING FIT FRIDAYS SUMMARY AND CELEBRATION

Twenty-four youth and adults enjoyed an afternoon at the local Artesian Bowl the day before Thanksgiving. Taking advantage of the fact that school was not in session, the group worked on their bowling technique (some needing more polish than others, of course), but everyone reported having had a great time.

A stop at the local McDonalds and another hour playing pool and computer games back at The Haven marked the end of the day’s activities.

The 10th Friday in the Feeling Fit series was a celebration planned and prepared by the youth. Families were invited to share healthy snacks prepared by the youth, view a short video of the outdoor exercise program led by Anita Breen, hear about yoga and meditation from Kim Cooper of Breathe and Flow Yoga Studio, and learn how to help a choking person as demonstrated by students Karlee Arthur and Trinity Smith. At the close of the celebration seven family members received gift cards in the door prize drawing and all families were given important information on the prevention of drug abuse by youth.

CHILD PROTECTION REVIEW

ANTICIPATING SPRING

FEELING FIT FRIDAY TESTIMONIAL BY STUDENT LAUREN WHITAKER

Each year the staff and volunteers at The Haven participate in a review of Child Protection Policies of First Christian Church, the parent organization of The Haven Youth Center. Corey Long, Patty Champion, Michele Mathews and Judy Williams completed the training in early November.

The Haven has been awarded a 2015 Arts Grant by the Community Foundation of Morgan County. The grant will provide four Friday afternoon trips to Everything’s a Canvas, the art studio of Suzanne Lawler on the square in Martinsville. The theme for the project is “character and ability”.

Students will choose four character adjectives and four ability adjectives to use in their art. The finished pieces will be placed in 24x36 poster frames to display.

Feeling Fit Friday was an activity every Friday at The Haven from three to four. It was really fun. There were a lot of different activities, including self-image, nutrition, first aid, outdoor exercise, meditation, and yoga. One of my favorite activities was yoga.

This program was funded by a matching grant from Community Foundation of Morgan County.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS Nearly seven years ago at the 10th anniversary celebration for The Haven, an endowment fund was established at The Community Foundation of Morgan County. Each of the following years, The Haven has been the grateful recipient of the earnings of that fund. Over the years, gifts, memorials and donations have allowed the fund to grow and provide more earnings. Last year, a second fund, The Haven Endowment for Prevention, was established at The Foundation and monies from that fund

will be available in 2015 and years after for the ongoing alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) prevention programs at The Haven. As a reminder, friends who wish to include either or both of these funds in their 2014 giving, may submit checks to The Community Foundation of Morgan County with a memo to either fund. The Haven’s programs are always free to all youth and any support is gratefully appreciated.

2

First Aid class by Melissa Messmer R.N.

Yoga class by Kim Cooper

Nutrition class by Jill Frame

JOYFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE The Haven Drop-In middle school youth will travel to Wellspring in Martinsville December 12 to host an after school Christmas party. The special guests will be preschool and elementary age children who are residents of Wellspring.

The Haven youth are actively planning stories, a craft, games, refreshments as well as surprises to celebrate the season.

3

The Haven Youth Center is a service of and made possible by the continued support of the Martinsville community.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 87 Martinsville, IN

Youth News

Youth Center 39 East Jackson Street Martinsville, Indiana 46151

Volume 2 | DECEMBER 2014

T: (765) 342-5102 E: HavenYouthCenter@gmail.com Hosted by the First Christian Church

THE HAVEN AWARDED $2,000 POWER GRANTS FUNDING

Serving Martinsville Youth Since 1998 Mission Statement: The Purpose of The Haven is to provide youth a Safe Place to hang out with friends, visit, play games, eat, study, learn new skills, and do community service projects.

— or Current Resident —

LAURA BURNS, HOMEWORK SUPERVISOR Laura Burns, a senior at Martinsville High School, serves The Haven Middle School Drop-In youth as supervisor of homework help Mondays through Thursdays each week. Laura’s ability to tutor students stems from a superior work ethic and outstanding academic record at Martinsville High School, ranking in the upper 5% of the Class of 2015.

When she is not concentrating on academics, music occupies a large portion of Laura’s life. She is concert master of the high school orchestra, having played violin and piano for six years in addition to playing the dulcimer for four years. She sings in the high school choir and is also the pianist for her church on Sundays.

Laura’s extracurricular activities include being president of Leo Club, vice-president of Future Educators of America, membership in Drama, Spanish, Piano and Interactive Clubs.

Next year, The Haven will miss Laura as she will be attending IUPUI. Congratulations and many thanks, Laura.

4

Indianapolis Power and Light encourages its employees to become involved in their respective communities by nominating organizations they are passionate about and which fit into one or more of five giving areas. These are: community enhancement, economic development,

education, arts and culture. Mr. Alan Messmer of Martinsville, a 27 year employee of Indianapolis Power and Light, chose to nominate The Haven for this award because of The Haven’s work and support of the community.

The students and staff of The Haven wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Haven will be open 1pm to 5pm December 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31 during the holiday school break.

Special events are currently being planned including a New Year’s Eve party Wednesday afternoon, December 31.

ALL STARS PROGRAMMING The middle School drop-in program recently included All Stars in its fall agenda. Unfortunately, Morgan County has been identified as one of the five worst counties for prescription drug abuse in Indiana. All Stars is a fourteen session evidence-based program aimed at offering middle school youth valuable ways to make the best life skills choices.

This program, which began October 2, met twice weekly and concluded November 20. In addition to the fourteen sessions, the All Stars youth took field trips to the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center in Indianapolis and to see the movie Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.

1

By the conclusion of All Stars participants were able to make verbal and written commitments regarding life choices. A roster of 40 youth participated in the program with an average per session attendance of fifteen.

Funding for the entire effort was provided by the Morgan County Substance Abuse Council.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FOR YOUTH: Make it a habit to dream about your future.