Youth Involvement

      Youth are the foundation and future of our communities' well-being. OCP supports youth leadership and empowerment and community involvement in schools. When working together, the common goal of youth feeling valued by the community is strengthened.  Local schools and OCP work closely together to provide support for youth leadership through Community Dialogues.  Each dialogue provides a point around which youth and adults explore common topics, and participate in community development whether in a community or school based program.

  •      Community Dialogues: Since 2008, OCP has held Community Dialogues in each town in the school district. Over 200 people have participated in dialogues around topics including the role of drugs and alcohol in our communities and the ideal vision for your community. Youth leaders have been trained in active listening and dialogue techniques and, because of their skills, have been asked to facilitate other community meetings.
  •      Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Analysis Project: As one of 5 programs in Vermont to participate in a UVM youth training, youth learned to lead communities in analyzing data and creating workgroups.  After a youth retreat and two Community Dialogues the following four workgroups have been established based on the priorities chosen by youth.  Current work groups: youth mattering to community, availability of substances on WUHS/MS campus, early adolescent sexual activity and low perception of risk of alcohol.
  •      Vermont Kids Against Tobacco (VKAT)/ Our Voices Exposed (OVX): Through tobacco education these school based programs, students discuss high risk behaviors and choices and teach advocacy, leadership and social skills. VKAT, for middle schoolers and OVX, for high schooler have strong curriculi and provide opportunity local youth to meet other similarly motivated youth.
  •      Teagle Landing Concerts: OCP worked with young people to start an outdoor concert series on Teagle Landing. By the river in downtown Woodstock, this provides a venue for youth to showcase their talents, a chance for the local coffee shop to have evening business and the town selectboard to grapple with the idea that youth need a place to congregate
  •      Community Booth: OCP is creating a space in the middle school lobby where community members can engage with youth on community issues and projects common to all. Modeled after the computer help desk, this community booth enhances the lobby as a means to break down the barrier between community and schools.
  •      Celebrate Youth Month: in conjunction with the Windsor County Prevention Coalition OCP will highlight and promote youth events and activities county wide, creating a connection for youth beyond their home communities.
  •      Town Hall Meeting: in conjunction with communities across the country focusing on alcohol awareness, there was be discussion by two high school seniors at the Middle School Parent Network meeting highlighting how they navigated their way through their middle and teen years. Town Hall Meeting in 2011 will take place in April.  
  •      START TEAM: OCP works the START team - comprised of a county wide partnership of police and community coalitions focusing on underage drinking education and enforcement.
  •      Spectrum Teen Center: Spectrum provides prevention, leadership and recreational activities for local high school aged youth. OCP supports Spectrums' activities, including VKAT youth being mentored by high school students from a combined Spectrum/SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) "Sticker Shock" campaign.
  •       Killington Teen Center: Killington Teen Center has it's own space and has provided youth activities as well as youth and parent education. While Killington youth attend WUHS/MS, their distance from the the school necessitates their own space. OCP recently provided "Smoke Free Zone" signs for the teen center.
  • Peer Leadership Activities for Youth (PLAY): Older students provide hands-on, age appropriate activities for younger students to jumpstart conversations about real world choices and consequences. In Spring 2010 this was piloted by WUHS students with WUMS youth. Future plans include all middle school students experiencing this program, who in turn will take it to older elementary students. PLAY training is provided by Robert Bryant from Second Growth (www.secondgrowth.org)