Lihue Teens Collaborating with Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking

SSgt. Barbara Payomo and County of Kauai Liquor Control Commission Investigator Gerald Rapozo, representatives from the Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking (HPPUD) met with teens from the Lihue Outreach who recently worked on The Photo Voice Project.

The Photo Voice Project involved teens on every island photographing various factors that influence young people to begin drinking at an early age. The group of teens from the Lihue Outreach photographed accessible alcohol at home, empty alcohol containers near playgrounds, and visible alcohol ads.

Having learned about the physiological dangers and socioeconomic costs of underage drinking through the Photo Voice Project, these teens will soon be launching a media campaign and educating youth and parents through public events funded by HPPUD.

According to the State Attorney General’s Office website, HPPUD
was created to address the problem of underage drinking in the State of Hawaii. The members of the partnership represent county, state, and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and community residents concerned with the health of Hawaii’s youth.

HPPUD members and Boys & Girls Club staff and youth

Pros & Cons For Kids Helps Kauai Clubs Kick-off Summer

Former professional football player Eason Ramson of the San Francisco 49ers’ first Super Bowl Championship Team helped start the first day of summer programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii – Kauai Branch with a “youth empowerment seminar” about making healthy and smart decisions. Club members, parents, volunteers, and staff were also treated to an autograph session with Ramson.

“The coolest part was holding his gigantic Super Bowl ring,” said Lihue Outreach member Brandon Iida.

According to its website, Pros & Cons for Kids mission is “to provide a holistic module of youth development services for families.” The team is led by Eason Ramson as its director, as well as honorary board member Russ Francis, from Kailua High School and Dana McLemore, who played for the University of Hawaii.

Eason Ramson speaks to Boys & Girls Club members on Kauai about making safe and healthy choices.

Club members get autographs from Eason Ramson following the Pros & Cons for Kids youth empowerment seminar.

Teens Making Garlic Bread

Teens at the Lihue Outreach afterschool program at Lihue Court Townhomes recently learned to cook garlic bread. Using French rolls and common household ingredients, the teens produced epicurean delights enjoyed by youth and staff!

Teens smile with the garlic bread that they created.

Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii – Lihue Outreach participated in Kauai High School’s Health and Wellness Fair on May 21, 2009. More than 100 students and teachers stopped by the BGCH table to get information about under-aged drinking, which has been highlighted by recent automobile accidents involving young people on Kauai. Teachers sought information as graduation nears.

BGCH and YWCA of Kauai staff also promoted the Kauai Youth Network, which is nearing its first anniversary.

Mike Miranda speaks to a Kauai High School student about the dangers of underaged drinking.

Be Like a Subtraction Problem and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Young people today face many challenges: online predators, drug use, peer pressure, predatory advertising techniques. Yet, youth are often marginalized and isolated based on gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, and cut off from the tools they need to improve their lives. Their voices and opinions are often not included in the politics and decision-making processes that affect their lives, schools, and communities.

As a response to the issues young people face and to the community’s need for youth leadership, The Boys & Girls Club Hawaii – Kaua`i branch and the YWCA of Kaua`i have joined forces to initiate a new, unique leadership program for Kauai’s young people.

The Kauai Youth Network (KYN) will be a new youth organization that seeks to expand opportunities for young people to engage, partner and lead the changes they want to see on our rural island. KYN will be planned, directed and owned by the youth participants themselves.

The KYN will be hosting The First Annual Youth Summit, to be held at the YWCA Camp Sloggett. It will provide a setting and project foundation where participants can meet and bond in a fun, intellectually stimulating and challenging environment. The Summit will be held 13 – 15 March 2009. Contact the KYN at kauaiyouthnetwork@gmail.com or via telephone 245.9552. Also, look for KYN on facebook!

 

Join the Koloa Program for an Ohana Day at the Beach!

The Koloa after school program will be hosting an Ohana Day on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at the Koloa Boat Harbor.

The family potluck begins at 3 PM. Families are encouraged to bring something to barbecue, go swimming or fishing, talk story, and to try their hand at winning prizes in various games!

Contact our staff at 632-0009 for more information.

Stages of Change

The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii – Lihue Outreach is hosting the Stages of Change breakdance competition. The event will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009, from 6 PM to 8 PM. A dance until 10 PM follows. Tickets to the event cost $5 ($7 at the door). Contestants enter for free. Competition includes crew/crew and 1-on-1 battles. Call 632-0009 for more information.

‘Slippah Project’ provides footwear to youngsters

Members of the Leaders In Training of the Lihue Outreach distributed slippers and books to kids at Lihue Court Townhomes on Friday, December 19. The slippers were donated by individuals and corporate sponsors (Royal Hawaiian Movers and Oahu Express, Ltd.) of The Slippah Project.

The Slippah Project

The Slippah Project, started in 2005 by community volunteer Lynn Vasquez of Mayor Wright Housing on Oahu, aims for children as she says, “to have a pair of rubber slippers so they won’t have to go barefoot.”

Three years later, an offshoot of the project will be started on Kauai. Boys & Girls Club Leaders In Training from the Lihue Outreach and Waimea Clubhouse will be spearheading fundraising and distribution to provide slippers to Kauai’s youth who are homeless or living in housing projects.

The Slippah Project on Kauai is hoping to raise donations–monetary or actual slippers– to provide 1,500 slippers for Kauai’s needy youth. To contribute for Kauai’s youth, please send or drop off donations to:

Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii – Lihue Outreach
3083 Akahi Street #201
Lihue, HI  96766

The Slippah Project website

Article from The Honolulu Star Bulletin

Happy Halloween!

Lihue Court Townhomes and the Boys & Girls Club held a Halloween Costume Parade and Contest on October 31. Kids, parents, and neighbors walked around the LCT property to trick or treat and show off various costumes including fairies, princesses, and ninjas.

Members at Lihue Court Townhomes participated in a costume parade that circulated through the property.