Tobacco prevention happens on a local, national, and global level. From Youth Leadership Day to World No Tobacco Day, everyone can bring an end to tobacco use.

Youth Leadership Day

On May 6, the annual 8th Grade Tobacco Education and Youth Leadership Conference was held at EWALU in Strawberry Point. Approximately 60 students from ten area schools were equipped with prevention messages to take back to their peers.

During small breakout sessions, the students learned about Youth Advocacy, ISTEP (Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention), and Tobacco 101, which was facilitated by a group of West Central High School students.

Teambuilding was another big theme of the day. Through the EWALU ropes course, students were shown leadership opportunities to sustain and help their school tobacco groups flourish. One student commented,

“I learned a lot while still having fun. I liked using teamwork and meeting new people during the ropes course.”

By building good relationships between schools and strengthening their own high school tobacco group, these students can be more effective in encouraging their peers to be tobacco-free.

World No Tobacco Day

Your high school days may be far behind you, but you can still get involved in tobacco prevention. The World Health Organization states,

“Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death globally and is currently responsible for killing one in ten adults worldwide.”

That is why World No Tobacco Day has been established and will take place on May 31. This year’s theme focuses on banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. Join your county coalition group to counteract tobacco industry efforts.

Here’s what you can do:

1. If you use tobacco, give it up or cut back for May 31.
2. If you don’t use, be supportive of those around you who are trying or would like to quit. Encourage them to call Quitline, a free tobacco cessation program for Iowans, 1-800-QUIT NOW, or visit www.quitlineiowa.com.

If everyone from youth to adults works together, we can build a tobacco-free community, nation, and world. Get connected to a county coalition or a high school youth group to connect with these teams preventing tobacco use.

What if your mother had been homeless when you were a child? Can you imagine what life would have been like? I’ve often wondered about that each time an advocate helps transition a mom and her children from an abusive relationship to a safe place to start a new life without violence.

“I just wanted to say thank you for your help with paying the deposit and rent for my new place. If I didn’t get help from you, I don’t know what me and my kids would have done. We wouldn’t have been able to move without your help.”   Resource Center Client

A major barrier to a victim leaving her abuser is the lack of funds to start on her own.  We’ve helped an average of 30 mothers and 40 children a year with first-month’s rent and utility deposits, using funds from state grants and a generous donor.  But the grant has ended, and the donor fund has been depleted.  The needs still exist. 

A new Emergency Housing Fund has been started to help clients start a new life without violence. Our goal is to start with $3,000 to provide first-month’s rent or utility deposit to fill current needs. When our long-term goal, an annual fund of $18,000,  is reached, 30 families can have a fresh start away from domestic abuse.

Every gift helps. Please consider making a donation and helping these families.

This fresh start works and is often all the family needs. Rarely does a mother need additional help. Giving a fresh start to a child and mother develops safe, healthy communities – our neighborhood.

Be part of ending the violence and changing the life of a local mother and child. Donate to the Emergency Housing Fund and give families a needed escape from violence into safety.

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This is our current effort:

It is the first stage to reaching our longterm goal:

If you would like to give a on-going gift to sustain this fund using these types of giving please contact David Runyon, Executive Director, 563-387-1720.

Recent events in the news of young girls being sexually assaulted while intoxicated and then exploited over social media, remind us that the consequences of underage drinking are serious and long lasting. As a parent, one way you can prevent risky behaviors like underage drinking, is just by having conversations with your kids about your values and expectations.

Research shows that young people are three times more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs if their parents don’t make clear rules about them. While your kids are under your roof, establish these rules and talk with them about your expectations. Some day they’ll leave your home and maybe go off to college on their own. Prepare them to make positive decisions in that next stage.

College may be right around the corner for your son or daughter. Your influence as a parent continues, even after you drop them off on campus.

“Off to College: Now What?” has week by week tips to keep the communication open through the first six weeks of college and beyond.  The booklet also includes a quick tool that may help you identify when your student may be struggling with alcohol and need some additional help.

“Child development is the foundation for community development. Everyone can play a role in strengthening families as advocates, donors or volunteers,” said Steve Scott, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. “By supporting and educating families, we can help ensure that their children grow up safe, nurtured, and empowered to reach their full potential as adults.”

Child Abuse Prevention Month raises awareness that child abuse is preventable.

We all have a role, because at this point, not all children grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. That is why this April, hundreds of communities across the nation are celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month. Through a proclamation signing, awareness campaigns, and a Children’s Fun Run in area Head Start classrooms, we’re getting the message out: Child abuse is preventable, and communities can support this cause.

This month and throughout the year, we’re encouraging individuals and organizations to play a role in making Northeast Iowa a better place for children and families. Parents gain the knowledge, skills, resources, and support they need to care for their children promotes children’s social and emotional well-being and prevents abuse.

Watch for the Pinwheel displays and the “I am 1 of 4” campaign in the libraries throughout the area. Pinwheels remind us all that ending abuse is an ongoing struggle needing community support. This support for every child comes from at least four trusted adults in their life who make them feel safe, nurtured, and loved. If you are involved in the life of a child, will you take the “I am 1 of 4” pledge?

Show your pledge to be 1 of 4.

To show your pledge, change your Facebook profile photo to one of these for the rest of April:

These efforts to keep kids safe will not end after April.

Throughout the year, I and my team, work with area providers to offer a variety of resources including sexual abuse prevention programs for youth and adults, parent education and support groups, and general education and awareness events.

It takes everyone working together to support children and families. At an upcoming monthly meeting, join the conversation, offer your services, and get involved in helping children and families thrive. For more information on the times and locations of these meetings, upcoming programming, or ways to get involved, contact me, Katie Becker at 563-380-4375 or at kbecker@helpingservices.org.

You may also be interested in:

What it mean to be “1 of 4″

The difference “1 of 4″ makes in a child’s life1 of 4 bookmark

Download 1 of 4 bookmark in English or Spanish.

Pilates Day is an annual, international, community event celebrated on the first Saturday of May every year. The Pilates Day mission is to foster the public’s appreciation and awareness of the Pilates Method through a network of varied, innovative, and high quality grassroots Pilates events accessible and affordable for all. Pilates Day is a program of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), and Pilates Day events are produced and hosted by PMA members.

This year Discover Happy will host classes on May 4 to raise money for Helping Services!

8am Foam Roller Class: Ever wondered how to use your foam roller?  Come explore stretching and strengthening techniques with your roller!

9am Demi-Bar Inro: A quick 45 minute Demi-Bar Pilates class to introduce this amazing, high energy class,mixed with traditional Pilates concepts.

10:30-11:30 Pilates for Back Pain: Whether you have back pain or not, your spine will feel amazing after Amanda’s Mat Class. The imagery I use in cues will give you freedom in your spine to allow you more control during the exercises. This class will have you singing (literally) while doing the Roll Up and the Spine Stretch.

12- 2pm Open House/Trivia Contest:  Come chat with instructors, see the space, ask for demo’s and brush up on your Pilates trivia because our winner receives 2 seats at the SALT/WATER dinner on Sunday May 5th!

2:30-3:15pm Breathe Into Movement: Build knowledge of how to enhance your lung capacity. This is a 45 minute class including non-strenuous exercises. Your body will connect to the flow of movement with deeper breath execution.

Sign up for these FREE classes today! Classes Pilates for Back Pain is under the “workshop” tab. Donations for the Resource Center at Helping Services will be collected the day of the class.

At Helping Services, we appreciate the support and fundraising efforts of everyone who chooses to further our mission. However, being the recipient of fundraiser donations does not mean we officially endorse the event or organization. 

Remember when we asked you to help board member, Pastor Tom Buresh, win a chance to kiss a rat? Well, we’re happy to report: Tom won. Thanks for voting!

From the cans placed throughout Waukon and the donations Tom and our office received, he raised $410 to support our mission.

Tom gathered with some of the other clergy contestants, the 4^th graders at St. Pat’s School, and Pepper, the classroom rat.  As Tom hammed it up to the thrill of the students, he gave awaiting Pepper a nice-long kiss as the final climax to this wonderful fundraiser.

Watch the Kiss

Once again, we are so thankful for Tom’s unique and very visible support for the ways our staff and volunteers set out to serve Northeast Iowa. We are grateful for the St. Pat’s 4th graders as the catalyst of this great service project.

If you didn’t get a chance to vote with your donation, your gift still can help the mission to prevent violence, drug abuse, and unhealthy relationships. Make a donation and enter “Kiss A Rat” in the notes. We’ll let Tom and the St. Pat’s 4th graders know that they’ve raised even more.

Read the original post for more background on this unique fundraiser.

“During the past year, how did you get alcohol?” 73% of youth reported getting alcohol from the following sources: parents, friends over 21, parties, friend’s house, and brother or sister (Iowa Youth Survey of Delaware County,  11^th graders, 2010). Today, if you provide alcohol to a minor, if you allow minors to drink on your property, or know that underage youth are drinking on any property you own- you will get fined $500.

Why? Because the new Social Host County Ordinance #37 was passed April 1. It states, “Persons under the legal drinking age often attend gatherings where controlled substances and/or alcoholic beverages are brought or made available, and  the persons who are in control of such premises either have reason to know or are knowingly tolerating, allowing or permitting such drug and alcohol use to occur. This ordinance will establish penalties for persons who know or have reason to know or permit or allow underage drinking or drug use, and will encourage those persons to ensure that those activities are not occurring on premises under their control.”

This ordinance was passed to help protect our youth from the dangers and consequences of drinking underage. But this is only one approach. Parents are another major influence. Eighty percent of youth report parents influence them the most when it comes to making decisions regarding alcohol use. (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration Survey, 2011)

Delaware County Drug Abuse Coalition (DDAC) is sponsoring an informal discussion on Tuesday, April 23, 6:30 p.m.,  at the West Delaware High School Commons to engage parents, educators, businesses, community organizations and others in creating a safe and healthy environment for our youth. Together we’ll discuss and better understand the legal ramifications of allowing underage drinking to occur. Community resources will be available along with light refreshments. Come when you can, as you are welcome to join us for all or part of this event. Contact Melanie with any questions, 563-582-5317.

Our youth deserve to live and grow to adulthood in an environment where alcohol is not misused. Let’s unite together in supporting this ordinance which will help build a substance-free environment and help parents and the community in their responsibility to keep our Delaware County youth safe and healthy.

Protect your family, your community and the environment by properly disposing of medications.

Sites around Northeast Iowa will take your old prescription drugs in an effort to reduce prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse.

“Because these drugs are so readily available, and many teens believe they are a safe way to get high, teens who wouldn’t otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs.” Parents. The Anti-Drug

For your safety and privacy:

• Keep all substances in original containers.
• All liquid containers must be sealed in leak-proof, clear plastic bags.
• Mark out identifying information on bottles.
• Unidentified medications will be accepted. NO QUESTIONS ASKED

We will accept:

• Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications including: vitamins, supplements, and herbals
• Needles, sharps, and syringes with needles in puncture proof container
• Aerosols or pressurized containers

We cannot accept:

• Illicit or illegal drugs
• Bloody or infectious waste

This event is hosted by the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force and local county coalitions.

Find your local Drop-Off site.

Calmar |Police Department,  101 South Washington Street. Chief Joe Ward,  563-562-3224.

Chester from 10:45 to 11:00 a.m.| City Hall 302 Main Street. Sheriff Mike Miner, 563-547-3535.

Cresco | Police Department, 124 South Park Place. Chief Tim Ruroden, 563-547-2424.

Decorah |Drop-Off Site #1:  Wal-Mart Super Center 1798 Old Stage Road, in parking lot area by south entrance. Assistant Chief Dave Smutzler & Deputy Gordon R Buss, 563-382-3667 or 563-382-4268. Drop-Off Site #2: Medicap Pharmacy, 702 Montgomery Street. Susan Burks, 563-382-8765.

Elkader | City Hall,  207 North Main Street. Chief Marv Duff, 563-245-3110.

Elma from 11:00 to 11:20 a.m. | Fire Department, 107 Orchard Street. Sheriff Mike Miner, 563-547-3535.

Fredericksburg | Community Center, 151 West Main Street. Sheriff Todd Miller, 641-394-3121.

Guttenberg |Municipality Building,  502 South 1^st Street.  Chief George Morteo, 563-252-3333.

Harpers Ferry |Harpers Ferry Public Library.  Sheriff Clark Mellick, 563-568-4521.

Lime Springs  from 10:00-10:20 a.m. | City Hall,  201 Center Street. Sheriff Mike Miner, 563-547-3535.

Marquette |Mar-Mac Police Department,  319 Pleasant Drive. Chief Randall Grady, 563-873-2500.

Monona | Monona Police Department,  104 East Center Street. Chief Jane Quandahl, 563-539-4400.

Nashua |Fire Department, 125 Greenwood Ave. Chief Ernie Willsher, 641-435-2068.

New Hampton | Chickasaw County Community Center, 260 Prospect Street. Chief Mike Anderson, 641-394-3241.

Postville | City Hall 147 North Lawler Street. Mike Halse, 563-864-3234.

Protivin from 10:00 to 10:20 a.m.| Fire Department, 132 Larson Ave. Sheriff Mike Miner, 563-547-3535. 

Riceville from 10:00 to Noon | Fire Department, 106 Walnut Street. Sheriff Mike Miner, 563-547-3535.

St. Olaf | Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, 22680 230^th Street. Sheriff Mike Tschirgi,  563-245-2422.

Waukon | Waukon Fire Department,  11 1^st Ave N.E.  563-568-4521 and 563-568-4338.

West Union | Drop-Off Site #1:  Union Drug Store Lilac Plaza.  Steve Metcalf,  563-422-3721. Drop-Off Site #2: Steege Pharmacy 119 North Vine Street. Officer Robert Blockus, 563-422-3535. Drop-Off Site #3: Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, 220 North Industrial Pkwy. Sheriff Marty Fisher,  563-422-3234.

Back to what can and can’t be dropped off.

Prom and graduation are peak seasons for high school students to drink alcohol to excess. Teenagers at this stage in life will often use it to celebrate events or to prove their maturity. Encounters with alcohol will be a common practice for most, with nearly three-quarters of high school students drinking alcohol by their senior year.

Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal. Period. Teenagers that do consume alcohol have a tendency to binge drink, often resulting in serious consequences. Some of these consequences are fatal, like drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road fatalities linked to alcohol increase between the months of April and June. In 2011, there were 4,907 youths involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes between the months of April and May. The state of Iowa had a total of 48 youth traffic fatalities in that same time period. Most states have strict laws against underage drinking and driving, such as the suspension of their license until the age of 21.

But underage drinking and driving isn’t the only issue. Underage drinking alone greatly increases the danger of youth committing or being victims of vandalism, sexual assault, accidents, or alcohol poisoning. These aren’t one-night consequences; they can cause damage that lasts even into adulthood.

Parents play a valuable role in teenage drinking habits. Education about alcohol consumption should begin in early adolescence. Even as high school seniors, teenagers will still lack mature judgment. Parents, you still have a significant amount of influence with your child, even if your youth is resistant. Take initiatives to discuss drinking with your teenager before prom or graduation. Ask them who they’ll be with. Will there be access to alcohol? Bringing up recent news reports about negative alcohol-related incidents can be a good window to start a conversation.

As parents and as a community, we must encourage our youth to celebrate safely, prove their maturity wisely, and live to see 21 when they can enjoy a drink responsibly.

Further direction and resources on underage drinking can be found at www.helpingservices.org/talk, or by contacting Stacie Schroeder.

You may also be interested in:

Talking with Teens

Off to College: Now What?

How to Have “the Talk”

Underage Drinking: The Bad, the Ugly, but There’s Good

Youth and young adults have plenty of challenges to negotiate in life without the added challenge of negotiating the complex emotional maze created when they have been physically and emotionally assaulted. Dating violence, sexual assault, rape, social media harassment, and in-your-face bullying leave scars and wounds that can take lifetimes to heal. Why, then, don’t we stop it?

These wounds fester in adults and impact intimate relationships, parenting, job performance, and general life satisfaction and happiness. Pastors, mental health pros, substance abuse counselors, law enforcement, juvenile court, correctional services, lawyers, clerks of court, and so on, deal with people who are spending their lives recovering from the impact. Why, then, don’t we intervene?

It is time to say STOP! It is time for people to “get it.” It is time to recognize the impact of assault on our society, culture, and nation. If you are not willing to say STOP, move over. Get out of the way because you are part of the problem.

The time for addressing this is now. We cannot wait while our youth, the nation’s future, drain their energy and resources on recovering from wounds they should never have received.