YOUTH WELFARE Committee

 

Chariman: SK Joseph L Shankle

 

Information from Supreme for this committee:

  • Participate in the Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest. The contest’s goal is to encourage the creation of thought-provoking slogans and visuals by young people for their peers to promote awareness of the dangers of substance abuse. You can order Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest Kits, which contain all the materials needed for your council to participate by using the coupon found on page 5 of the Council Report Forms Booklet (#1436), on the Order’s Web site, or by calling (203) 752-4625. Entries in the contest must fall under one of these topics: Alcohol Awareness and Abuse, or Drug Awareness and Abuse. Each poster must include a slogan reflecting either of the topics and an original visual image. Posters may only be entered under one topic. Categories will be broken down by age: ages 8 to 11 and ages 12 to 14. Entries will be judged at local, district, state and international levels. International winners will serve as the basis for substance abuse awareness materials produced and distributed by the Supreme Council. Your council should begin promoting the contest at the start of the school year so students can work on posters during the fall months. Council judging should take place in January. District/regional and state competitions should take place in February or early March. The deadline for receipt of state level winning entries at the Supreme Council office for the international competition is March 31. International winners will be announced in May. Contact schools (public, private and parochial) in your community to organize and conduct a Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest. Besides creating awareness among young people of this problem, it will also give your council the opportunity to look at programs that provide alternatives to drug and alcohol use. Young people should be among the judges picked for the contest and play a vital role throughout your council’s participation.
  • Coordinate a communitywide education program on teenage alcohol and drug abuse. Distribute informational literature. For more information, contact the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Dependence Information, at 800-729-6686, or the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 22 Cortladt St. #801 New York, NY 10007-3128/www.ncadd.org. In Canada contact Canadian Centre on Sustance Abuse, #300, 75 Albert St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7 (613) 235-4048.
  • Benefit children and youth by participating in America’s Promise — The Alliance for Youth. America’s Promise works collaboratively with individuals, organizations and communities, mobilizing people from every sector of American life to build the character and competence of young Americans by fulfilling “Five Promises” to them: 1) ongoing relationships with caring adults—parents, mentors, tutors, coaches, 2) safe places with structured activities during nonschool hours, 3) a healthy start and future, 4) marketable skills through effective education, and 5) opportunities to serve or give back through community service. America’s Promise is a national network making good on these promises! To get involved or for more information, visit their Web site at www.americaspromise.org or call 1-888-55-YOUTH.
  • Work to reduce teenage drunk driving. Invite a speaker from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Alcoholics Anonymous or the local or state police to participate in a council sponsored alcohol abuse seminar.
  • Volunteer the support of your membership to develop more medical and psychiatric counselling facilities in your community. Spearhead a drive in your community to establish a drug crisis clinic, “Safe House” or teen center where teens can get positive reinforcement about refraining from the use of drugs and alcohol.
  • Educate and enable young people to reject illegal drugs by participating in the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The campaign Web site, www.theantidrug.com, contains numerous tips for parents and other caregivers in helping young people say no to drugs.
  • Become a foster parent. Through organizations such as Save the Children, Foster Parents Plan and others, you or your council can become the hope of a poor child. Ask your diocesan office to recommend a program.
  • Participate in local civic campaigns that raise funds to help sick and disabled children. ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; the Muscular Dystrophy Association; the Easter Seals Foundation; the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; and other childhood disease research organizations need constant fundraising support. Contact local chapters and offer the help of your council.
  • Educate adults in the local community, your parish, schools and other forums about the media’s influence on children’s values, attitudes and behaviors by utilizing the “Unplug Your Kids” video produced by the National Institute on Media and Family. For more information on ordering a video or on the institute’s other programs contact (612) 672-5437 or www.mediafamily.org.
  • Support abused and neglected children. The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program trains volunteers to speak for the best interest of abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers are assigned to a case by a judge. They conduct research, interview people involved and make recommendations on what is best for the child. Councils interested in aiding CASA through providing financial aid and/or volunteers or obtaining more information on the program can write to: National CASA Association, 100 West Harrison, North Tower; Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119, telephone: 1- (800) 628-3233 or go to www.nationalcasa.org.
  • Order and distribute the free informational pamphlet, “Think You Know Something About Child Abuse,” available from the Prevent Child Abuse America to help educate your community about the horrors abused children face. This and other publications relating to parenting, child abuse and child abuse prevention are available by contacting Prevent Child Abuse America, 500 North Michigan, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60611, Web site: www.preventchildabuse.org, telephone: (312) 663-3520. In Canada contact: Child Welfare League of Canada, #1001 75 Albert St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7, telephone: (613) 235-4412, Web site: www.cwlc.ca.
  • Keep children in their communities safe through participating in Project KidCare® or Child Find Ontario. For more information contact Polaroid at 1-(800) 552-0711, and press 1 (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern time). For more information on Child Find Ontario please call (905) 712-3463.
KofC Supreme Documentation Source Page 32