TOGETHER

Program: Neighborhood Center, After-School and Summer Academic Enrichment Programs

Program Description:

Neighborhood Center, After School and Summer
Academic Enrichment Programs. TOGETHER! operates one Neighborhood
Center, two After-School Tutoring Programs and a Summer Academic
Enrichment Program serving low-income youth and families. Children are
provided tutoring/homework help, and activities that further their
social, emotional and cognitive development in a safe, supportive
environment with appropriate mentors and role models. Youth learn new
skills, demonstrate an increase in positive social behaviors,
experience greater academic success in school, and learn skills,
attitudes and behaviors to remain drug-free and safe. All programs
focus on children, youth and families who are economically
disadvantaged and who would not normally be able to access other support services. The Neighborhood Center, located at a HUD-supported
apartment complex, provides additional family support services
including access to the food bank and other community resources.
Weekly Family Library Nights are provided at one local elementary
school during the academic year. There is no charge to participate in
our programs.

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Program: Tobacco Prevention & Education Program

Program Description:

TPEP educates the community about the dangers of tobacco use and abuse and also provides cessation resources. We facilitate youth advocacy groups such as Students Protesting Lies About Tobacco, and their activities such as teaching an anti-smoking curriculum (TATU) to younger children; cleaning up cigarette butts, chew cans and other tobacco refuse from city parks; and working with local governments to get laws and proclamations passed that keep youth from being exposed to secondhand smoke. We also give presentations at schools, tribal councils and conferences that educate about the dangers of commercial tobacco use. We provide quit-smoking kits and other cessation resources to those attempting to quit. We also attend school and health fairs and give away anti-tobacco items to children and youth, such as stickers and pencils. Strong working relationships exist with Thurston County Public
Health and Social Services, Nisqually and Chehalis Tribes, and North
Thurston Public Schools.

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Program: Community Education & Drug-Free Communities

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Citizen-based and community leader coalitions bring together representatives from schools, local jurisdictions, law enforecement, businesses, youth-serving organizations, service groups, parents, and others to address community issues and promote healthy youth development. A "Communities That Care" strategy is used to assess community needs and develop, implement, and evaluate a community action plan. Working with local school districts, the research-based Project ALERT substance abuse prevention curriculum is implemented for students in grades 6-8 at participating schools, reaching approximately 1500 students annually. Other prevention efforts are implemented depending upon needs and available resources. A Parent Resource Guide is published and distributed throughout the County. Media campaigns address prescription drug abuse and prevention of underage drinking. A Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention coalition works to educate the community, reduce youth access, and establish safe disposal options.

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