From the Director

The Community Alliance for Prevention is focused on strengthening our community in order to reduce and prevent youth substance use. We serve those within the boundaries of 203 and 204 school districts which is predominantly composed of Naperville and the Far East Region of Aurora. Primarily through community collaboration we are working toward lowering youth use rates for marijuana, alcohol and prescription medication for non-medical use. We are seeking to create this community level change through evidence based methods.

Preventing substance use requires comprehensive prevention strategies and community action. Now, more than ever, communities and prevention providers have access to research and evidence-based strategies that when used in combination with local assessment and planning efforts can be used to significantly reduce the problems and consequences associated with substance use.

The strength of the Alliance is its members. Our dedicated membership comes from a comprehensive list of sectors serving our community. Our membership includes representation from business, civic groups, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, media, parents, faith organizations, schools, local government, substance abuse organizations, youth and youth serving organizations.

In order to effectively impact the problem, a community needs an in-depth understanding of what the problem is and what’s contributing to it on a local level. When the community is involved and invested in the process of addressing the issue, prevention efforts are more likely to be sustained into the future. The Alliance uses local data to design and guide evidence based strategies for our community.

As we move through a year unlike any other in recent memory, many have found themselves feeling disconnected. Lives that had been so active and busy, unexpectedly shifted. In-person gatherings suddenly moved to digital platforms. These necessary changes brought understandable new

MATT CASSITY challenges. However, it also made clear the value of relationships. Our circumstances may continue to change but it’s important for us to continue to find meaningful ways to connect to those around us and our community.

This issue of Youth Connections touches upon several key topics that impact our students’ connection to the outside world. Knowing what shapes our children’s social awareness helps us understand their experience.

Much like everything else in life, empathy takes practice. Our cover story, “Empathizing With a Bigger World,” seeks to help us do just that with our children by offering age appropriate guidance that will help us foster and reinforce empathetic instincts. Another component of life that has a great influence on youth is stress. “The Five Sources of Stress in Teens” provides a look at common stressors that may be weighing our students down. “What is Negative Peer Culture” addresses our students’ relationship to the social dynamics they find themselves in. In addition, there are several other articles of significance, including “Impacts of Marijuana on the Teenage Brain.”

As you make your way through the magazine, please be sure to check out the following two sections: “Faces in the Crowd” highlights people and organizations doing great things in our community, while “Assets in Action” showcases some of the wonderful happenings in our area that help affirm healthy youth development. All photos were taken prior to social distancing measures.

Beyond the articles, you will find extremely valuable local information. Each advertisement is from a community organization. The services and programs they provide are great resources for our families and help shape the incredible community we live in. We hope you enjoy this edition of Youth Connections Magazine.

MATT CASSITY Alliance Project Coordinator 360 Youth Services 1323 Bond Street, Suite 119 • Naperville, IL 60563 mcassity@360youthservices.org • (630) 961-2992

youtube.com/IndianPrairie204 www.ipsd.org