FriendCaffeine:orFoe? ALSO » Legal Does Not Mean Okay » Self-Care Activities for Kids of All Ages » Strategic Instruction Opens Doors to Learning for Your FEATURE:Child RESILIENCEHOPE;CULTIVATEGROW BROUGHT TO YOU BY ® Livingston Council for Youth supportmission of FORCOUNCILLIVINGSTONYOUTH HartlandConsolidated ls We LivingstonSupportCouncil for You Belong Here EngagedHealthy ImportantValued October 2022 | lcunitedway.org
www.lcunitedway.org | YC MAGAZINE | October 2022 1 INSIDE OCTOBER 2022 2 From the Director 5 Confessions from the Kitchen Table 10 Faces in the Crowd 11 40 Developmental Assets 12 Assets in Action 18 Q&A / By the Numbers 6 Cultivate Hope; Grow Resilience 14 Legal Does Not Mean Okay 16 Self-Care Activities for Kids of All Ages 20 Strategic Instruction Opens Doors to Learning for Your Child 23 Caffeine: Friend or Foe? FEATURES IN EVERY ISSUE TO ADVERTISE OR CONTRIBUTE Alyssa Maat: (810) amaat@lcunitedway.org494-3000 COVER PHOTO BY Floating Leaf Studios BROUGHT TO YOU BY PRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH
Thethrive.Livingston
fter an all too quick summer, a different sense of excitement fills the air with the start of this new school year.
Council for Youth meets the third Friday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Livingston County United Way. For more information on the Livingston Council for Youth or if you would like to become a coalition member, please contact Alyssa Maat at amaat@lcunitedway.org.
• Youth Need to Feel a Sense of Purpose – Kids want to be involved in something bigger than themselves to eventually be the change they want to see in the world.
Co-chairs LIVINGWAY:
FORCOUNCILTHEABOUTLIVINGSTONYOUTH
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• The Power of Community is Everything – Youth who feel valued by their families, schools, and communities have the assets they need to reach their potential.
While Covid has been just a couple years for us adults, it is shocking to think for young children half their lives have been with Covid. Some may not even remember what life was like before the pandemic.
With a new school year starting, can we make up some of what was lost during the pandemic? Based on research and local surveys, we know nothing beats a parent’s quality time with their child. So, take a moment. Put down that smartphone or laptop. Let work or those chores go for a while. Take a walk with your child in the rain. Go fly a kite. Lay back on the grass and just stare at up the stars. Take them away on a last-minute surprise camping or fishing trip. Even if just for a moment, give them your focused time and attention. Nothing will ever beat it. We owe it to our kids ... and ourselves after these last two-and-a-half years.
LivingwaySteveSamLarioza
At the Livingston Council for Youth, we feel a renewed sense of hope and optimism, but—even more—a sense of responsibility to the children and parents of our community to step up our efforts. What you see here is just the magazine we publish, but behind the scenes we are bringing together all the schools and youth organizations in the area, coordinating their resources and talents. We are lucky to have so many people who are passionate about helping Livingston County youth and their parents.
• Every Community Member Can Connect and Encourage Youth – Youth need many adults in their lives, beyond parents and teachers, who not only care about them but who see their potential and provide encouragement towards that vision.
FROM THE STEVE
• Adults Need to Stay Engaged – Families provide the framework for healthy development with high expectations for their children, clear rules, consistent messages, and consequences for breaking the rules. At the onset of adolescence, influence begins to shift from family and institutions to peers.
Maybe some of the hope and optimism is coming after two-and-ahalf long years struggling and then learning to live with the Covid virus. It certainly has changed our schools and our children. Could this school year be a little bit closer to “normal”?
To your best school year ever!
Here in Livingston County, Michigan, parents, youth serving organizations, educators, the faith-based community, and the community at large share a common goal to help youth succeed. Great things are happening here already, but we realize that we can do better by collaboratively working together to develop the community-level strategies that will continue to bring positive change. The Livingston Council for Youth mobilizes the power of community to empower our kids to
The Livingston Council for Youth strives to empower kids by bringing the community together as one voice to create a culture where every child feels valued, safe, loved, and empowered. Based on a 2016 countywide survey of 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students, we discovered the following:
(810) steve@reachinghigherinc.com220-8812SAMLARIOZA:(517)586-1001ohanadojo@gmail.comA
www.lcunitedway.org | YC MAGAZINE | October 2022 3 We support the mission of FORCOUNCILLIVINGSTONYOUTH “LEARNINGHartlandConsolidatedSchoolsFORLIFE” We LivingstonSupportCouncil f or Yout h You Belong Here EngagedHealthy ImporValuedtant MATCHING MONEY MONDAY Save the Date December 5th Add the community to your Christmas list! Stay tuned for details at lcunitedway.org! Driven by Faith, HERE FOR ALL! LivingstonCC.org / 517-545-5944 At Livingston Catholic Charities, our Special Ministries services provide quality programming for individuals living with cognitive and physical disabilities. We focus on offering growth for persons 18+ years with disABILITIES in: • personal relationships • continual learning • recreation • spiritual development Follow us on Facebook
Sexual Assault Services: Teens who have been sexually assaulted receive compassionate care in a private setting at our Sexual Assault Response Center. All services are confidential and provided by specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and Sexual Assault Counselors.
Cinderella’s Closet: Every prom and homecoming season we host this boutique for high school students. Teens can support a good cause while shopping this eco-friendly event for party dresses and gowns. All dresses are just $25. Proceeds benefit victims and survivors at LACASA. lacasacenter.org
How We Help Teens
Safety Seminars: Livingston County high school students learn valuable infant safety information at our seminars on Shaken Baby Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
LACASA Center provides confidential programs and services at no charge for teens who have been affected by child abuse, domestic violence, or sexual assault. We also offer awareness programs in area high schools and throughout the community that are specially designed for teens.
Dating Abuse Prevention: We offer seminars throughout Livingston County high schools that help teens recognize controlling behavior and identify ways to build positive relationships.
24/7 Helpline: Teens can reach out to an advocate around-the-clock with questions or concerns by calling or texting our 24-hour Helpline.
24/7 Helpline: Call 866-522-2725 or Text 517-777-8005
How Teens Can Help: Get involved by volunteering at the LACASA Collection, our unique charity resale boutique in Howell. You also can reach out to us about joining our Teen Advisory Council.
Counseling: We provide counseling and support groups for victims, their families, and their friends at no charge.
YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR STORY AT: amaat@lcunitedway.org
It was helpful to learn how all this technology was affecting his brain development, albeit frightening. A study found that teens who excessively play video or internet games have brains structurally different than those who don’t play, which may cause developmental delays, difficulty processing information, and problems maintaining relationships. I was definitely concerned about his schoolwork. In addition, the brain chemicals that control moods and feelings are chemically different. I was beginning to have some “ah-ha” moments. Maybe his moods weren’t just teenage angst but were from his excessive use of technology.
Equally disturbing was finding out that these structural changes in his brain can also lead to difficulty dealing with social conflict, being more susceptible to addiction, higher rates of depression and suicide, and riskier behaviors. The authors said technology use can change how kids’ brains develop and can impact judgement. I had noticed that he didn’t seem to know when to stop a potentially risky behavior, like when he was doing tricks on his bike. I just thought it was him being a tween, although his friends didn’t seem to exhibit the same disinhibitions.
• Refusing to turn the device off
• Lower grades
Reducing the use of technology for the entire family wasn’t the easiest, but it has been worth it! ■
• Increased conflict at home
was concerned about how much time my kids were spending on technology. We had tried to set limits, but it got to be more and more of an uphill battle. I knew I needed to address it ASAP as my 12-year-old son was living on one form of technology or another. I found the book Unplug: Raising Kids in a Technology Addicted World by Drs. Lisa Strohman and Melissa Westendorf. It was a lifesaver, full of information on technology addiction, signs of overuse, and tips to deal with it. We were lucky enough to not need professional help. Yes, some kids need professional help to deal with a technology addiction.
• School attendance
• Alienation from friends
One extremely helpful tool from the book was access to the Technology Use Continuum. It helped us assess whether we might be headed for trouble. It’s available at https://technologywellnesscenter. com/screening-tuc-survey/. If answers show there may be a problem, a more in-depth assessment is available to address physical, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal areas. This and other resources on the site were extremely helpful.
CONFESSIONS FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE
To increase our awareness of our kids’ wellbeing, we started being more purposeful in our daily contact. Every day we have a 10 minute debrief about our days. We’ve even started Sunday Family Nights with tacos and games. Yes, they balked at first, but we were persistent, and now they actually enjoy it.
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• Loss of interest in previous activities
• Amount of time spent on technology
For many of us the kitchen table represents the typical family experience. We have laughed while having family game night. We have cried over our children’s choices. We have blown out the candles on many cakes. We have argued our way out of doing the dishes. We have struggled through those “three more bites.” We have learned hard lessons and celebrated many deserved successes. One thing is for sure though—if our kitchen tables could talk, there would be plenty of stories! So often it is in relating to others’ stories that we realize there isn’t always one answer, or even a right answer. Parenting is hard work! If you have a story of lessons learned, we invite you to share it with our readers. Sometimes, knowing we aren’t the only ones struggling to find the answer is all the help we need.
• Excessive anger
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• Depression/anxiety
• Mood swings
• Increased need of technology – the more they played, the more they needed to
I learned that technology overuse isn’t my son’s desire to use, or even frequency, but how he responds to restrictions and his ability to impose his own limits. This was a huge red flag. My daughter liked playing games but didn’t have a crisis when limits were set. Her brother’s behavior was the polar opposite.
I found signs very helpful in identifying if my kids needed help:
I learned that addiction has two components. The first is the behavior that causes a problem. For us it was playing video games. The second part is the persistence of the behavior. When someone continues the behavior or thinks about it despite negative consequences, AKA getting grounded, it can be considered an addictive disorder. That was definitely where we were with my son. Yikes, how did we get to this point?
I was excited to find some actual pointers on what to do to try and gain control again. Removing ‘intermittent reinforcement’ was one of those tips. Messages from social media in the form of ‘likes’ or ‘mentions’ reward kids randomly and, because they see no tangible negative consequences, they become hooked (similar to a gambler in Las Vegas). Every time I gave in to allow more TV or computer
time, I was inadvertently using the most effective reward system. UGH. I won’t be doing that anymore. By removing intermittent reinforcement, providing consistent (notice it’s not constant) oversight, and continuing to be an active and present role model, I was starting to gain control. Whew!
The physical symptoms we learned to look for were:
UNPLUGGING: OUR FAMILY’S STORY
GROW RESILIENCE cultivate hope
Dreaming, it turns out, is more than just a sweet thing kids do when they’re young — it becomes a critical part of overall wellbeing.
Hope, as defined by the researchers at Alliance for Hope, is “the belief that your future can be brighter than your past and you play a role in making it happen”.
Of course, sometimes their dreams are outlandish — think about the little kid who wants a farm filled with unicorns. Sometimes their dreams are unrealistic — the kid who wants to become a YouTube star, never hold a job, and live at the beach with all their friends when they grow up.
oung kids are notorious for having big dreams and ambitions. Whether it’s for a new hamster, a trip to Disneyland, or a kickflip on a skateboard, kids spend a lot of time imagining and planning for their future.
Hope is a simple concept to understand, especially when you consider the opposite: hopelessness.Youknowabout hopelessness, right? It’s the feeling you get on Sunday afternoon when you know you’re going to spend most of your week in pointless meetings that you can’t get out of. It’s the feeling you get about your health when you don’t stick to your plans to exercise more and eat healthier foods.
The encouraging news is that hope is something that we can cultivate and encourage. It acts as a protective factor against harmful substance use and is a key indicator for wellbeing and academic success.
RESILIENCE
Kids who are hopeful about their future will do better in school, have stronger relationships, make the transition to adulthood more efficiently, and make healthier choices along the way.
hope;
By NATURAL HIGH STAFF
October 2022 7 continued on page 9
HOW TO CULTIVATE HOPE
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Hopelessness translates into a desire for escape. It’s too uncomfortable to feel hopeless, and the emotions of regret, shame, disappointment, sadness, and anger can drive people to activities that will numb their pain.
The good news is that hope is like a muscle — it can be exercised and strengthened. You’re not born with a fixed amount of hope. It’s not given out in limited quantities, and it doesn’t evaporate over time.
Feeling hopeless is a miserable experience. Whether you’re feeling hopeless about your relationship status, friendships, career path, or your health, most people would say it’s one of the worst experiences of being human.
In other words, when you’re feeling hopeful, you are confident that tomorrow will be better than today. Feeling hopeful makes whatever you’re going through today more tolerable, and the anticipation you feel for the future enables you to endure whatever challenge gets in your way.
You'll be a part of a community of like minded women who contribute their personal passions, best ideas, and unique strengths to the mission of building stronger communities. Volunteer within our community alongside others to create change. Network and collaborate with key business and community leaders at events. Learn more about critical issues impacting our community. Advocate for key community issues at the local and state level. T O L E A R N M O R E A N D G E T I N V O L V E D C O N T A C T A N N E R E N N I E , A R E N N I E @ L C U N I T E D W A Y . O R G Help Us "Grow Great Kids" in Livingston County! 810 229 6571 brightonlibrary.info Keeping youconnected 24/7 eResources for Students eBooks & ResearcheAudiobooksDatabasesTest&CollegePrepHomeworkHelpStop by and check out our updatedspace!teen
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When it comes to making a positive impact in a kid’s life, there’s nothing more effective than what you model and demonstrate. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done!
You’ve heard the phrase a thousand times before, “It’s not what’s taught — it’s what’s caught that counts.” Kids watch and learn from adults, for better and for worse. In fact, if you’re going to err on one side, the evidence points towards emphasizing the example you give rather than the words and concepts you teach.
One of the most important examples you can offer is how you respond to setbacks and challenges. If you’re truly filled with hope, and you’ve anticipated multiple setbacks and routes to achieve your goals, then you should have no problem talking about them when they arise. When kids can see adults push through setbacks with creativity and resolve, then they’ll be more encouraged to face their own challenges in similar ways.
HOW TO MODEL A HOPE-FILLED LIFE FOR KIDS
HERE ARE THREE SPECIFIC WAYS YOU CAN MODEL A HOPE-FILLED LIFE FOR THE KIDS IN YOUR WORLD:
That’s why it’s important for you to take the initiative to share with them the goals you’re working towards. Don’t assume they know. Trust that it matters. If you’re working on an academic goal, maybe a graduate degree or a professional certificate — tell them about it and the work you’re doing to achieve it.
2. Divulge Your Setbacks
Charles Snyder was one of the key figures in developing pop psychology in the 1970s and 1980s. He developed what’s known today as Snyder’s Hope Theory which includes a framework for understanding and cultivating hope, as well as measuring how much hope someone carries within themselves.
Having a hope-filled life isn’t just about crossing the finish line of your goals and ambitions, it’s about recognizing the importance of all the little steps along the way. If you have a goal to publish a book someday, then celebrate writing a paragraph. Each paragraph is progress and a sign that you have what it takes to keep going.
Hope pathways are about seeing multiple pathways to achieve your desired future. In other words, believing deep down that your goal is possible and achievable.
1. Share Your Hope
So, when it comes to working with kids, we can lead them to think through what they want, what they will do to get what they want, and alternative routes to getting what theyTheywant.will be clearer about their future, and they will see themselves as key actors in the story that’s unfolding, strengthening their motivation and resolve along the way.
Hope agency is about seeing yourself as a critical piece and driver towards your desired future. In other words, believing that you have the power and ability to make the steps and changes necessary. It’s saying to yourself, “I can do it — I have what it takes.”
He distinguishes different parts of hope and explains the thinking that underlies each one:
CULTIVATING HOPE
Your life will be an encouragement to do the same: to pursue worthy goals, make progress each day, confront setbacks with tenacity, and celebrate the milestones to get there. ■
Here’sprogress.anactivity to help kids with goal-setting called Designing Your andthanexperiencepartachieveWhentomoreways,moreregularly,improvedchoicestheysomeonehealthier,health:uploads/2021/11/Designing-Your-Future.pdf.https://www.naturalhigh.org/wp-content/Future:Usetheexampleofimprovingyourit’sonethingtosetagoaltobecomebutit’smorepowerfultohelpthinkthroughthedifferentpathscantakeinordertomakehealthieroverall.Therearemanyfactorsthatleadtohealthincludingexercisingmoreeatingahealthierdiet,gettingsleep,processingfeelingsinproductiveandspendingmoretimeoutdoors,etc.That’sadifferentprocess,anditleadstoresiliencewhichisakeymeasurementunderstandingsomeone’slevelofhope.someonecanonlyseeonewaytotheirgoalorfeelsliketheyhavenotoplayinmovingforward,thentheiroflifebecomesmorelikeavictimaparticipant.Victimsfeelsmall,insignificant,forgotten,helpless.Thoseinternalstatesoften
Hope Pathways
To help someone cultivate hope, guide them to describe the type of future they want, and help them design the path to get there by creating specific activities they can engage in to make
By opening your life and sharing what you’re going through, you’ll make it normal for kids to see engaged, healthy adults who are moving forward on dreams and ambitions rather than accepting whatever life hands them.
Hope Agency
lead people to make unhealthy and unwise choices.People with high hope, though, respond differently to setbacks and challenges. They understand roadblocks as a part of the process, not the end of the story.
3. Celebrate Progress
Let the kids in your life know what you’re feeling proud of and grateful for. They will see behind the scenes what accomplishing a goal really looks like, and your enthusiasm to keep after it will be contagious.
If you’re working on a personal goal, perhaps around your desire to give back to the community or a character trait— let them know what you’re working on and what you’re doing.
When it comes to cultivating hope, Snyder’s theory creates the foundation for proper goal setting. It’s one thing to ask people to come up with things they want in life, but too often their desires are left as wishful thinking that lacks any real benefit.
By opening your life and sharing what you’re going through, you’ll make it normal for kids to see engaged, healthy adults who are moving forward on dreams and ambitions rather than accepting whatever life hands them. Your life will be an encouragement to do the same; to pursue worthy goals, make progress each day, confront setbacks with tenacity, and celebrate the milestones to get there.
Make sure you’re sharing about what you’re striving towards. Most of the time, kids aren’t going to care to ask you about your personal ambitions and goals. No surprise there —kids are more used to receiving than engaging. They also probably don’t care about you because they’re more focused on their own lives.
Although some people are born with a more optimistic outlook than others, anyone can become a hopeful person.
Highway M-36 Rotary Club
Hannah Glowacki BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR Hannah volunteers at Pregnancy Help Clinic because she is passionate about helping moms who are in a difficult situation. She spends her Saturdays taking care of things that will free up the staff to focus on client and patient care. She said, “I couldn’t help for a month, but when I came back everyone knew my name and showed genuine care for me. I feel valued because the people at this organization want to be supportive of me in my life and my future.” Hannah is a senior at Brighton High School and is a member of the National Honor Society. She also spends her free time investing in young students by coaching volleyball for 4th and 5th graders.
Highway M-36 Rotary Club is a new service organization serving the Pinckney, Putnam, Hamburg, and Hell area. Their focus is working with seniors, veterans, the hungry, the community, and local youth. The club recently worked with local cinematographer Joe Malik on his production of a movie about youth depression and suicide. The club helped with serving lunch to the cast, crew, and local teens that volunteered as movie “extras”. We had the opportunity to witness, first-hand, the workings of a movie being made, and also the truth about teen suicide and its recent up-trend even here in our small community. We encourage all to see this film, in hopes a better understanding of what our teenagers are going through and possible means of intervention.
Ji Marcella is an active member of Kensington Woods School’s art and music departments. She is a digital artist, specializing in character design, and was featured in the Michigan District 8th Congressional Art Show, Lansing Art Gallery Art Scholarship Alert and was selected for the Top 18 in the state and Governor’s Traveling show by Michigan Art Educators Association. This summer she was featured in local art shows and is a veteran member of Kensington Woods Chamber Singers and Garage Band. Ji shares her creative energy with others, creating a welcoming environment for all!
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Ji Marcella KENSINGTON WOODS, SENIOR
Greg Hillier is a United Way Board Member who has been a strong volunteer for United Way’s Day of Caring committee and event. This year he partnered with two young men to do home repairs at an older adult’s home. The young gentlemen had little experience with tools and had not done repair work before. Greg took the opportunity to show them each tool, how to use it, and then had them make the repairs, once they learned the tool. They walked away excited, not only for making a difference for the older adult, but also for the hands-on education they received. Greg walked away happy knowing that he made a difference for the homeowner, and for the young men he taught life skills.
IS THERE SOMEONE YOU’D LIKE TO NOMINATE?
Check out who’s standing out in our community.
Kayla Barkoff
PINCKNEY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR
Please email amaat@lcunitedway.org and tell us why this individual has stood out in your crowd.
Greg Hillier LIVINGSTON COUNTY UNITED WAY BOARD MEMBER
Kayla has been involved with the youth-led advisory board since her sophomore year. She said, “Being part of this group has given me so many great opportunities, the most memorable being our school’s mock car accident and getting to attend CADCA with other youth from around the world. I was able to direct the mock car accident for our school and able to educate my peers on the dangers of drinking and driving in the most impactful way possible. I would not be able to make the changes I’ve been making without Mrs. Sandra Parker or my mother–—two people who are constantly pushing me to do better. I’m so grateful to have so many opportunities to make change in my community.”
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ASSETSDEVELOPMENTAL40 Turn the page to learn more! The 40 Developmental Assets® may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only. Copyright © 1997 Search Institute®, 615 First Avenue NE, Suite 125, Minneapolis, MN 55413; 800-888-7828; www.search-institute.org. All rights reserved.810-632-5200WWW.CROMAINE.ORG teens cromaine@ Use your library card to access ebooks and audiobooks through Libby! Get the app or use it in your web browser at libbyapp.com. Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm Friday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm Sunday hours Sept - May hours Visitour calendar Check out a mobile hotspot from Cromaine for Wi-Fi on the go! HotspotsMobile
40 Developmental Assets are essential qualities of life that help young people thrive, do well in school, and avoid risky behavior. Youth Connections utilizes the 40 Developmental Assets Framework to guide the work we do in promoting positive youth development. The 40 Assets model was developed by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute based on extensive research. Just as we are coached to diversify our financial assets so that all our eggs are not in one basket, the strength that the 40 Assets model can build in our youth comes through diversity. In a nutshell, the more of the 40 Assets youth possess, the more likely they are to exhibit positive behaviors and attitudes (such as good health and school success) and the less likely they are to exhibit risky behaviors (such as drug use and promiscuity). It’s that simple: if we want to empower and protect our children, building the 40 Assets in our youth is a great way to start.
Look over the list of Assets on the following page and think about what Assets may be lacking in our community and what Assets you can help build in our young people. Do what you can do with the knowledge that even through helping build one asset in one child, you are increasing the chances that child will grow up safe and successful. Through our combined efforts, we will continue to be a place where Great Kids Make Great Communities.
SUPPORT
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16. High expectations: Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.
3. Other adult relationships: Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
4. Caring neighborhood: Young person experiences caring neighbors.
Howell H.S. Cheer helping at United Way’s Day of Caring
8. Youth as resources: Young people are given useful roles in the community.
17. Creative activities: Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
14. Adult role models: Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
13. Neighborhood boundaries: Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.
19. Religious community: Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.
CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME
“Buildings” digital painting by Ji Marcella, Kensington Woods Senior
assets in action
18. Youth programs: Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community.
11. Family boundaries: Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s whereabouts.
15. Positive peer influence: Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS United Way’s Sustainability Scavenger Hunt: “Give Your Book A New Life”
6. Parent involvement in school: Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.
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2. Positive family communication: Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s).
12. School boundaries: School provides clear rules and consequences.
EMPOWERMENT
7. Community values youth: Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
1. Family support: Family life provides high levels of love and support.
9. Service to others: Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.
5. Caring school climate: School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
20. Time at home: Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week.
Local youth participate in LCCA’s 3rd Annual Youth-Led Summit
10. Safety: Young person feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood.
BOUNDARIES & EXPECTATIONS
If you or your child would like to submit a picture that represents one of the 40 Developmental Assets, please email amaat@lcunitedway.org with a picture and the number of the asset the picture represents. Not all pictures are guaranteed publication.
22. School engagement: Young person is actively engaged in learning.
Local youth enjoying Women United’s Mobile Reading Trail
25. Reading for pleasure: Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
21. Achievement motivation: Young person is motivated to do well in school.
29. Honesty: Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.”
LCCA took four Pinckney youth to CADCA conference in Orlando
23. Homework: Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day.
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37. Personal power: Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me.”
33. Interpersonal competence: Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.
30. Responsibility: Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility.
Howell Hive Teen Center’s new study lounge
SOCIAL COMPETENCIES
35. Resistance skills: Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
28. Integrity: Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.
36. Peaceful conflict resolution: Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.
POSITIVE IDENTITY
24. Bonding to school: Young person cares about her or his school.
39. Sense of purpose: Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.”
Reaching Higher 4 Youth “Leadership Immersion” class in August
32. Planning and decision making: Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
POSITIVE VALUES
31. Restraint: Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.
27. Equality and social justice: Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
34. Cultural competence: Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
COMMITMENT TO LEARNING
26. Caring: Young person places high value on helping other people.
38. Self-esteem: Young person reports having a high self-esteem.
40. Positive view of personal future: Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future.
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Research suggests that people who use marijuana regularly for a long time are less satisfied with their lives and have more problems with friends and family compared to people who do not use marijuana. Being a teenager is hard enough to maneuver without adding the burden of problems with friends and family.
• We need to put ourselves in their shoes. Consider how we would like to be spoken to about a difficult subject. Try to think back what it was like when we were teens. Ask if it’s okay talking about this and if it’s okay if we give some advice.
• Be clear about our goals. Try writing them down and review them later to make sure we got our points across.
Of the more than 500 chemicals in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, is responsible for many of the drug’s mind-altering effects. Marijuana disrupts the brain’s normal functioning and can lead to problems studying, learning new things, and recalling recent events. These skills are obviously needed to be successful in school. In fact, youth who use marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school.
• Don’t lecture. (It didn’t work when our parents did it!) Just saying, ‘you shouldn’t use because I’m the parent and I said so’ will not work. Offer empathy and compassion, showing them that we get what they’re saying.
PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS
MARIJUANA
• Be positive. Approaching the subject with anger, scare tactics or disappointment will be counter productive. Pay attention and be respectful and understanding. Telling them that we appreciate their honesty will go a long way.
By LINDA COLLINS, Prevention Specialist
Alcohol is the mostly widely used substance of abuse by America’s youth. When teens drink alcohol it affects their brain in the short-term, but repeated use can impact long-term brain development. It can affect both functionstructure.and
• Be calm. If we start when we’re angry or anxious, it will be harder to achieve our goal.
Drinking can lead to poor decisions by youth about engaging in risky behavior, like drinking and driving, sexual activity (such as unprotected sex), and aggressive or violent behavior. In fact, underage youth who drink are more likely to carry out or be the victim of a physical or sexual assault after drinking than others their age who do not drink.
MEAN OKAY
legal does not
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here have been a lot of changes recently across the country regarding the legalization of marijuana. Alcohol is legal for adults over the age of 21. Prescription pills are legal if prescribed by a physician. No matter how we as adults feel about substance use, research has proven that the use of any substance is harmful for youth and the developing brain. Just because a substance has been legalized for adult- or medicinaluse by adults, does not make it okay for youth use. The following is information taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
THC affects the areas of the brain that control balance and coordination, as well as helps control movement. These influence performance in sports, driving, and even video gaming. It interferes with alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. (This comes in handy if a baseball is coming at our face at 60 mph). High school seniors who use marijuana are twice as likely to receive a traffic ticket and 65% more likely to get into a car crash than those who don’t use.
THC affects areas of the brain involved in decision making. Using marijuana can make youth more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex or getting in a car with someone who’s impaired.
Whether we want to believe it or not, marijuana can be addicting. Approximately 10 percent of users will develop marijuana use disorder. Youth who begin using before
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is the mostly widely used substance of abuse by America’s youth. When teens drink alcohol it affects their brain in the short-term, but repeated use can impact long-term brain development. It can affect both function and structure. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, youth who being drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to meet the criteria of alcohol dependence at some point in their life.
When taken as prescribed, prescription and over the counter medications can be effective ways to treat pain or cold/flu. If taken without symptoms or in higher quantities, it can affect the brain in similar ways illegal drugs can and may lead to addiction.
Given all these statistics and the research, it’s important that we as parents relay the facts to youth so misinformation does not lead them to make poor decisions. Our conversation needs to include the dangers of drugs on the developing brain and why just because it’s legal for adults, it’s not okay for kids.Here are some pointers from “Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change,” William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnicon, on how to have that conversation:
• Keep an open mind. When a child feels judged or condemned, she is less likely to be receptive to the message.
• Ask open-ended questions. For example, say, “Tell me more about…” Then sum up and ask questions.
It’s important with all the messaging on marijuana and the messages we send youth about alcohol and even medications, they understand just because it’s legal, does not make it safe for them to use. Their brains are still developing, so for their health and safety, and to reach their full potential, they must stay substance-free. ■
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the age of 18 are 4–7 times more likely than adults to develop a marijuana use disorder.
SELF-CARE FOR KIDS
Reading
FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
Kids learn by watching, and if they are watching you let yourself go, they’ll do the same. Model healthy habits and make sure you give your kids plenty of opportunities to take better care of themselves. From personal hygiene to putting the phone away, healthy habits today can result in healthier, happier adults tomorrow. ■
16 October 2022 | YC MAGAZINE | www.lcunitedway.org
BE THE EXAMPLE
Personal hygiene is more than just taking a bath and brushing your hair. Helping your children learn to keep themselves clean and well-maintained can improve their self-esteem, confidence, and selfimage. Just as importantly, great hygiene reduces children’s chances of becoming sick. Personal hygiene also includes keeping their bodies healthy through getting enough sleep. Even when you have a kiddo that wakes before the sun comes up, the youngest members of your family need 10 or more hours of sleep every night.
self-care activities
L
By CATHERINE WORKMAN
If you think your child has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try a noise machine or talk to your pediatrician for advice. You can also create a relaxing bedtime routine that will help them get their minds and
Blank Children’s Hospital shares several alarming statistics about childhood health, including the fact that only two percent of kids in the U.S. eat a healthy diet, and around a quarter of all kids don’t engage in physical activity. Give your children a healthy head start by helping them exercise. This could be anything from playing soccer in the backyard to hiking on the weekends.
ocal coalitions and partners work tirelessly to reduce substance abuse, bullying, and violence for youth. Part of this means teaching children how to care for their mental and physical health from an early age, which includes everything from finding a hobby to maintaining their physical appearance. Today, we showcase a few self-care activities for kids that can help them maintain a clear mind so that they can avoid toxic habits in adulthood.
While there are many different reasons for children’s stagnant lifestyles, one is, without question, their access to technology. In a world where most children have their own smart devices—88 percent of teenagers own a smartphone—kids have more distractions and don’t get outside as much. Introduce moderation into their lives by getting them to step away from tech for a little bit. Encourage your kids to play basketball with their friends in real life instead of talking through their headset during their next Fortnite battle. Make sure they have ample opportunities for socialization, including play dates and participation in afterschool activities.
bodies ready for sleep. And last but not least, make sure your kids turn off their phones, tablets, and computers at least an hour before bedtime and remove them from the bedroom.
Spending Time Away from Technology
Blank Children’s Hospital shares several alarming statistics about childhood health, including the fact that only two percent of kids in the U.S. eat a healthy diet, and around a quarter of all kids don’t engage in physical activity. Give your children a healthy head start by helping them exercise. This could be anything from playing soccer in the backyard to hiking on the weekends. You can also encourage your kids to partake in other forms of physical activity, such as swimming, jogging, or signing up for martial arts classes. Letting them find what they enjoy will make them more likely to stick with it for the long term. At the end of the day, anything that gets them up and moving will encourage other healthy choices, such as sticking to a healthy diet.
Exercising
them. A library card is a wonderful gateway to the joys of reading.
There are few activities that are both relaxing and mentally stimulating at the same time. But reading is one of these, and as Reading Rockets explains, starting early gives your children a leg up in the classroom. Read to your children and encourage them to find a story they love to enjoy on their own. Thirty minutes each night with a good book can help them wind down while stimulating their imagination and getting their brain ready for all the learning they’ll do throughout their years in school. You can further encourage your child to read by taking them to the library and getting them a library card. Although you can easily read books on phones or tablets, you’ll truly introduce them to the joys of reading by allowing them to pick out physical copies of the books that interest
Maintaining Personal Hygiene
Before your kids can engage in self-care, they have to see you do the same — after all, they are quick to mirror your behavior. It’s not hard to role model healthy habits, especially knowing how badly parental stress affects children. Show your kids that it’s not selfish to practice self-care by easing up on your perfectionist tendencies, fueling your body with healthy foods, adding physical activity, and looking for ways to reduce stress when you come home from a hard day at work. Anything you can do to shake up your routine and give yourself a mental or physical break will go a long way toward teaching your little ones to do the same.
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The social pressure to sign your child up for ‘all the things’ is very real, and extracurricular activities are important. Numerous studies show that participating in extracurricular activities help improve academic achievement, build self-esteem, and encourage supportive friendships. However, over-commitment is a genuine concern and can be harmful to a child’s wellbeing, not to mention stressful for you. Here are factors families should consider when considering after-school activities:
FAMILY PRIORITIES: What do you value most as a family? Fitness? Teamwork? Music? Family dinners? Whatever they are, make choices that reinforce those priorities.
The length in feet of the world’s longest wedding veil.
400
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MONEY: Extracurriculars can be costly. Uniform fees, tuition, and travel can add up. Be realistic about what your family can afford.
Your child will benefit from extracurricular activities, but by keeping the above guidelines in mind, you will be able to keep the whole family happy and healthy.
HAVE A amaat@lcunitedway.orgQUESTION? We cannot guarantee all questions will be published; however, we will do our best to respond to all questions submitted.
23,000
The average number of years a dollar bill lasts.
The number of fish a puffin is recorded to have carried in its mouth.
6
The number of muscles used to take a step.
54
18 October 2022 | YC MAGAZINE | www.lcunitedway.org
The weight in pounds of the largest animal’s heart (blue whale).
The height in feet of the largest sand
AGE: In general, younger children need fewer organized activities and more unstructured play time. As kids get older, it sometimes makes sense to add in more sports, classes, or clubs. High schoolers looking into higher education should keep in mind that colleges and universities like to see applicants with a robust resume of extracurriculars.
FAMILY SIZE: The number of caregivers in your home will affect how much you can realistically schedule. Furthermore, if you have five children it is going to be harder to coordinate schedules than if you have one or two. If need be, have the kids take turns participating in after-school experiences.
PARENT INTEREST: How do you feel about drop-offs and pick-ups, events and games? What does your work/life balance realistically allow? If you, the caregiver, are less than enthusiastic about an over-committed extracurricular schedule, it will take its toll on everyone in the family.
NUMBERScastle.
My daughter’s best friend has a practice, club, or class every night of the week. I want my child to be involved in extracurricular activities, but how much is too much?
CHILD INTEREST: Is your child excited about each activity you are considering? Are they a kiddo that needs down time or do they prefer having places to go and things to do? Let the answers to these questions guide your choices.
TIME: Children need sufficient time for schoolwork, playing, resting, and eating. If time for these things is already tight, limit yourselves to one extracurricular activity per kid.
www.lcunitedway.org | YC MAGAZINE | October 2022 19 Learn more. Experience more. Be more. Discover more for your child at HowellSchools.com GO HIGHLANDERS! CHALLE EARTH LCUW GOES GREEN LIVINGSTON COUNTY was a success! Stay tuned for future sustainability events! Follow us on Facebook @lcunitedway or visit our website at lcunitedway.org!
opens doors to learning for your child
Of these eight stages, modeling is the heart of the strategy instruction and is easy to do at home. Modeling is a demonstration of a skill by thinking aloud while doing it and then gradually involving your child until they take over the task. Of course, finding out what your child knows and doesn’t know is essential. No matter how much modeling you do, if your child is missing important knowledge that is needed before moving on, you must clarify that first. Once you know where to begin, model the desired skill you would like your child to
First,use.preview your child’s assignment and determine what steps are needed to complete it successfully. A solid model always starts with a statement of purpose
STRATEGIC INSTRUCTION
Modeling is the heart of the whileskillhome.instructionstrategyandiseasytodoatModelingisademonstrationofabythinkingalouddoingitandthengraduallyinvolvingyourchilduntiltheytakeoverthetask.
t’s hard to know how best to support your child or teenager at home with their nightly homework. You’ve probably wondered where the line is drawn between doing it for them and simply helping. Most homework assignments are meant for students to practice the skills they are learning in class. But many students, and perhaps this applies to your child, are not yet ready to practice on their own. This creates a problem. You want your child to be independent, and at the same time, you want their homework to be meaningful. And, you want them to practice the skill in a way that is strategic, efficient andEducationworthwhile.researchers at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KUCRL) design teaching methods to help students become strategic learners. These methods are called Learning Strategies and are part of the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM). Each Learning Strategy uses eight stages of instruction that have proven time and again to help students of all levels succeed on academic tasks or assignments. To teach your child to be strategic, you can use the same eight stages of instruction. The stages are Pretest, Describe, Model, Verbal Practice, Controlled Practice and Feedback, Advanced Practice and Feedback, Posttest, and Generalization.
Continue verbalizing all the steps as you complete them: read the passage, then go back to each word in bold, re-read that sentence, use the context cues to decide on a definition and write down the definition (Presentation Phase). After doing it once in full as a model, begin giving some of the steps to your child. Allow your child to take on more and more of the verbalizing and directing of the task until they are doing it fully on their own for you (Enlist Engagement). Then, before you end, review the critical steps and talk about when else they can use this skill (Post Organizer). Completing work in this way allows your child or teenager to gain confidence in knowing how to approach, manage and complete tasks. The use of self-talk helps many students both remember and make sense of what they are doing as well as identify and isolate questions if they are confused. Modeling allows students to see and hear the physical behaviors and thought processes that those who are proficient with an assignment use. Last but not least, the four phases of modeling increase the likelihood that your child will be able to complete future assignments independently. ■
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By TRISH SCHREIBER, SIM Professional Developer and JOCELYN WASHBURN, Director of Professional Development, University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning
www.lcunitedway.org | YC MAGAZINE | October 2022 21
A model might sound and look like this:
known as an Advance Organizer. Then, it moves onto the Presentation Phase when you complete the task in full while saying your thoughts aloud while your child watches you. The third stage of modeling is when you Enlist Engagement from your child. This is a time when you are both working together until you successfully complete the work. At this point, you are acting as a support net to make sure the task is completed as planned and all the steps are verbalized. Repeat these first three steps as many times as needed to finish the homework, giving your child more and more of the responsibility to verbalize and complete the steps while you affirm their progress and correct when necessary. Eventually you turn the assignment over to your child when they model successful completion of the task for you. Lastly, once your child has finished the whole assignment, provide a Post Organizer, a review of all that you did. At this point, you’ll highlight the critical steps you both did, personalize the steps, predict when to do this again, and state expectations for next time they have this type of assignment or one that is similar.
“The directions say to use context clues to write a definition for each bold word in the passage. This means we will do a close reading of the passage to determine the meaning of the vocabulary words by using clues in the context of the passage (Advanced Organizer). So, I’m going to start by just reading the passage once in full to become familiar with it, knowing that we’re going to have to go back and read it a few times to focus on the sentences with the target words to complete the assignment. I also see that there are six words in bold print, so we’ll be going back to the reading at least six times, probably more, because even if we think we know the meaning of the word, we also know that word meanings can change significantly, depending on how the author uses it. So, we must consider the words around each word to complete the close reading accurately.”
22 October 2022 | YC MAGAZINE | www.lcunitedway.org M A K E I N Y O U R CHANGE HOMETOWN NOT EVERY CHILD IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY HAS ENOUGH NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO EAT. YOU can help make a change. Donate today at lcunitedway org | Livingston County United Way 2800 Dorr Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
In addition to weight gain from the sugar, there are negative side effects of caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine can cause nervousness, irritability, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and increased
By STAFF
t’s a common occurrence to see youth walking around with a can of Rockstar or Monster. But have we thought about what they’re actually consuming in the form of caffeine? And it’s not just the energy drinks, but those coffee drinks as well.
One can of Rockstar has 160mg of caffeine. A caffè mocha has 174 mg. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents get no more than 100 mg per day. In one can or cup, they’re consuming more than one and a half times the recommended amount. If they’re drinking three per day, that adds up to around five times the recommended amount. Some youth report that friends drink four of five energy drinks a day.
Most of us would probably not give our children illegal stimulants, so we should rethink their use of legal stimulants. ■
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CAFFEINE: friend or foe?
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In addition to caffeine, these drinks have a lot of sugar. One can of Rockstar contains 60 grams of sugar, which is the equivalent to about 1/3 cup. Now times that by three, and they’re consuming almost a cup of sugar per day.
blood pressure—none of which are good for kids. Side effects also include nausea and diarrhea. Kids with medical conditions may be at even greater risk. Caffeine in high doses becomes toxic. There have been increased calls to poison control and even reported deaths of teens from Withdrawaloverdose.symptoms include headache, fatigue, decreased alertness (which then makes them want to consume more caffeine), difficulty concentrating, flu-like symptoms, irritability, depressed mood, muscle pain or stiffness, and nausea and/or vomiting. None of these make it optimal for learning and may lower their academic performance.Teenshave started drinking energy drinks at a record pace. Sometimes it is to stay up to study, but a lot of times it just for the “high” they get from the caffeine. It’s time we share the dangers of too much caffeine and energy drinks with our kids. Caffeine is a stimulant like cocaine, nicotine, meth and amphetamines. It is a drug and it is addictive.
C E L E B R A T I N G 2 0 Y E A R S !
TH
Livingston County United Way had an awe inspiring group of 689 Volunteers at the 20th annual Day of Caring held on August 10th. Day of Caring is the largest one day community service event in the entire county In a single day, these amazing volunteers completed 58 projects, including replacing doors, toilets, sinks, painting, household cleaning, yard clean up, deck repairs and so much more!
T H A N K Y O U F O R Y O U R S U P P O R T J a m e s D e w l i n g , A s s o c i a t e B r o k e Jr a m e s D e w l i n g , A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r B r i g h t o n H i g h S c h o o l G o l f C o a c Bh r i g h t o n H i g h S c h o o l G o l f C o a c h 4 t h G e n e r a t i o n R e a l t o 4r t h G e n e r a t i o n R e a l t o r N a t h a n O a k e , A s s o c i a t e B r o k e Nr a t h a n O a k e , A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r H a r t l a n d H i g h S c h o o Hl a r t l a n d H i g h S c h o o l F i n a n c e T e a c h e r & G o l f C o a c Fh i n a n c e T e a c h e r & G o l f C o a c h C O M M U N I T Y F O C U S E D R E A L E S T A T E ( 8 1 0 ) 2 2 7 1 0 1 6
Livingston Council for Youth 2980 Dorr Road Brighton, MI 48116
