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This week's speakers:
From TASK (Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids).
Paula Peterson - President (left of photo) and Theresa Popandrea - TASK Coordinator.
Theresa started with SOS Outreach in Colorado. She came to Tahoe and started SOS in South Lake ten years ago. TASK now is very fortunate to have this incredible woman as part of the dedicated team working hard to make sure the youth of our community have the best chance in life when it comes to dealing with drugs and alcohol.
TASK was originally created to address the high levels of youth substance use in South Lake Tahoe, California - a rural resort town with a population that increases from 20,000 to approximately 100,000 in peak vacation seasons. When their national grant funding expired, the coalition wanted to continue its mission of keeping our youth safe.
The community TASK serves is unique. We have seasonal and resort-based employment, plentiful bars, stores that sell alcohol and vaping supplies, and retail cannabis dispensaries - all of which contribute to what some call a "party town culture." This all makes alcohol and drugs abundant and easily accessible to our youth.
Together the team at TASK work hard to provide the youth in our community all the information and support the need to make the right choices when faced with drugs and alcohol.
Two of the huge drug education programs in town are now going to be facilitated by TASK - Drug Store Project and Challenge Day. Both programs work to provide youth with the right information and tools they need to face the challenges in their lives.
Challenge Day does what the title suggests. A social and emotional learning workshop that challenges the youth that participate to be open about, and exam, the challenges that they all face everyday. It is a highly emotionally charged event that can change lives in a very meaningful way. You can see a intro video about it here or visit the main website here
There are Challenge Days already set for the High School on Feb 13th - 16th. The Middle School Challenge Day date is yet to be set but likely will be in April. Many volunteers are needed for each day so please get in touch with TASK.
Drug Store Project -
a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation, is a comprehensive middle school drug prevention program designed to educate youth about the dangers of substance use and abuse. Another amazing program to help guide kids to make better decisions surrounding drugs. Run for many years by our very amazing Lisa Huard, Theresa is working with Lisa to incorporate the program over the next couple of years. More info about DSP can be found here - again volunteers are always needed so please reach out if you can help at the next DSP on April 4th.
There are technology tools that can help continue to send support where needed.
NIXLE - a texting program that keeps communities informed by their local organisations. Go here for full details
Learn more about TASK here
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