We Celebrate The 96.8!

Many ‘firsts’ are experienced in the classroom. Those lessons and experiences had not only help shape our young people at a critical time in development but also create a foundation which they will build on for the rest of their life. For this very reason, Horizon has provided prevention programming in the school setting for over 10 years with a combination of education, mentoring and engagement opportunities for school aged youth. Some of these programs, made possible by grants like Virginia Foundation for Health Youth and Drug Free Communities, include the Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol (SODA) Mentoring Program, Healthy Youth through Prevention and Education(HYPE) Clubs, and the Too Good for Drugs (TGFD)teaching curriculum.

Out of the 300 students who participated in the fall semester of Too Good for Drugs, 96% of students said “the TGFD program helped me to become more knowledgeable about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco usage and the health risks associated with each” and 92% of students affirmed “The TGFD program has increased my personal commitment to remain/become drug, alcohol, and tobacco free.” Students said their favorite part of the program was working with peers, community, and other people as well as being able to open up to someone in a nonjudgmental environment.

Students participate in "Kick The Habit" Kickball Tournament at Jefferson Park, Lynchburg.

High school students from Lynchburg City Schools shared with us why they value the Too Good for Drugs program, offered to all incoming freshman for a full semester. “There’s always a way out if you feel pressured into doing things or in a really tough relationship and your scared. You can always reach out to someone for help.” shared a student from E.C. Glass High School. Alexis Jones from Heritage High School recalled learning that “There’s better things to do than drugs and smoking. When you do that stuff, you can become addicted and always want more.” Alexis and her peers stay drug free by pursuing hobbies like basketball, cooking, volleyball, and being a member of the HYPE Club.

The HYPE Club (Healthy Youth through Prevention and Education) sets a standard of being drug free for their classmates by organizing events and activities that promote healthy behaviors. This year, they hosted a “Dodge the Smoke” dodge ball tournament for their peers, “Kick the Habit” kickball tournament for students of all ages, a “Speak Up, Speak Art” art show, and Kahoot drug-free challenges for SAMHSA’s Red Ribbon Week among other activities. In reflection of their accomplishments in the past year, Brooklyn Dop, a HYPE Club member said “at the end, we had a lot of kids come up to us asking ‘When are we going to do this again?’ That was awesome because it felt like we had done something that really mattered to them.”

Horizon's Prevention Team poses for a picture with HYPE Club student. Left: Brooklyn Dop, Taylor Cafro, Curtis Jones, Kali Miller, and Januwaa Davis.

The positive outcomes of these youth development programs include improved social skills, improved behavior, increased academic achievement, increased self-esteem, and increased self-efficacy. (source) We are seeing those results right here in our community too! Results from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that 96.8% of students in Lynchburg City High Schools have not used substances within the last 30 days.

Taylor Cafro, TGFD Program Facilitator at Horizon explains that “This program not only teaches students the harmful consequences of substance misuse but also meaningful life skills such as goal setting, relationship building, managing emotions and decision making. As the program facilitator, it is really motivating to see them willing to connect on a deeper level, laughing in the classroom, enjoying the activities, and learning skills that last a lifetime all at the same time.”

Be sure to follow @gethypecva on Instagram and CVA.Get.HYPE on Facebook for the latest on HYPE Club activities!

Brooklyn Dop, HYPE Club Student, and Taylor Cafro, TGFD Program and HYPE Club Facilitator at Horizon.

PARTNER APPRECIATION

Horizon would like to recognize Lynchburg City Schools for their continuous support and partnership that has been foundational to the implementation and success of these programs for 13 years strong. We salute their commitment to helping children develop their full potential by providing learning opportunities which recognize individual needs. We look forward to many more years of impactful partnership as we aim to empower our local youth to make healthy choices by reducing and preventing youth substance use.