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| Youth to Youth (Y2Y) |
Youth to Youth International was founded in 1982, in Columbus, OH. The
determination and integrity of local teens led to the design of a drug prevention program for
teens that was both positive and fun. This program has allowed teens to take a strong role in
the community by choosing to live a healthy lifestyle, free from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
It is unbelievable that this program, which began with only 100 teens, has now
grown to serve as a model for prevention programs in over 37 states and 16 countries - AND has reached
over one million drug-free youth! The Youth to Youth magic gets stronger every year and continues to
affect the community on a number of different levels. As Youth to Youth continues to spread, each new
community has embraces the program and provided teens with an incredible support base. |
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| There are four component pieces of Y2Y: |
- Information:
- Teaching the facts on the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol and other drug use,
and other information that impacts decision making skills.
- Personal Growth:
- Providing other information that impacts decision making skills and healthy choices.
- Focusing on knowledge, good self concept, emotions, and interpersonal skills to establish
positive behaviors.
- Exploring personal values and internal decisions regarding making a drug-free choice.
Building identity and support with one's peer group who are also choosing a drug-free
lifestyle.
- Developing a positive self-concept through enhancement of leadership skills
- Alternatives:
- Offering alternative activities that are viewed as more rewarding than substance use.
- Creating fun environments that support being drug-free.
- Environmental Change:
- Organizing activities that can change conditions that exist in schools and communities.
- Changing existing factors that are contributing to the tobacco, drug and alcohol problem.
- Developing positive programs initiated by youth.
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| THE YOUTH-TO-YOUTH PLEDGE |
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The Youth to Youth Pledge was first written and accepted by The Youth Advisory Board in Columbus,
OH in the summer of 1984. It was later updated in 1994 to include making healthy choices. This pledge is
a commitment by the youth involved to remain drug free while involved in Youth to Youth. The pledge is a
statement of each member's commitment to the program and its philosophy. |
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If a participant chooses not to sign the pledge, he/she will not be excluded from any Y2Y fun
event or similar activity. But, to avoid hypocrisy, the pledge must be signed by any member wishing
to be on the Youth Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau, or Youth Staff. This is because he/she will have
an active role in planning Y2Y activities, newsletters, presentations to the public and media, and most
importantly, will be serving as a role model to other youth. |
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| print version |
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I, _______________________________________, as an active member of Youth to Youth, do genuinely
and wholeheartedly swear to maintain and uphold the ideas of the Youth to Youth Program. Not
only do I believe in the program and its worth, but I also believe in myself and my worth as a
person. Therefore, I now formally state my commitment to stay free of alcohol, tobacco, and
other drugs throughout my involvement with the program.
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I recognize the fact that as a member of Youth-to-Youth, my peers will be looking to me to set
an example by making healthy choices. I also realize this will not be an easy state to maintain;
but, I have a support network of friends in the program that will always be there for me in my
times of need that will back my decision to be DRUG-FREE!.
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| _____________________________________________________________ |
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_________________________ |
| Youth Signature | Date |
| _____________________________________________________________ |
_________________________ |
| Adult Signature | Date |
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The majority of Rapid City Schools have active Youth to Youth groups in addition to Wall, Box Elder,
and New Underwood. For more information on Youth to Youth, please visit the
International Youth to Youth website.
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