By Erika C. and Ross A.
As part of drug awareness week, Jaime Weener, a social worker at Youngsville School/ Sullivan County BOCES alternative school, contacted FFS admissions director, Jeff Brain, about having students from FFS share their experience, strength and hope at his school. Brain agreed ,and on October 30th Marc S, Ross A, Nate S, Chris B, Rylee B, Liz K, Rachel R, and Erika C. spoke to Youngsville students.
This was the second year that students from The Family School have been invited to speak at the Youngsville School. “We’ve done this before. They know us and have had a positive experience with us in the past,” said Brain, who was eager to go back a second time to carry the message.
The students were greeted by Weener and Kathy Garlic, a counselor at the school. They told the students from FFS about their observance of drug awareness week. Their goal was to teach their students other ways to have fun besides getting high. Each grade competed in a poster contest with positive messages about the dangers of drugs, which the FFS students had the privilege of judging.
During the morning the eight FFS students shared their stories with groups of kids from middle school to high school, “I really enjoyed telling my story and it kept it green for me,” said one FFS student.
For lunch the students enjoyed pizza as a treat for the end of drug awareness week. After lunch they participated in activities such as board games, dodge ball, tag, etc. Chris B, Ross A, Marc S, and Nate S,played board games with the high school students and continued to carry the message in a more personal way.
Brain was very pleased with the experience this year and said, “I think it went very well. The (FFS) students did a great job sharing their experience, strength, and hope.”
