Submitted by Biffy Cahill
TRACs is honored to support and facilitate the Youth 2 Youth Berlin program. Through hard work, dedication, perseverance, and community support, these 15 teens and 3 adults were able to secure over $7,000 in funding for the Youth to Youth Eastern States Conference this past week. Not only were youth able to obtain sponsors through local business, community members and church organizations, but also contracted with all four towns within the Berlin School District to cover the cost of registration for two town residents in exchange for community service. [private]
The youth have already created a Prom Promise video at Berlin High School, provided babysitting services for a parenting program in Grafton, assisted with sports clinics and hosted a Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies Workshop during the Stephentown Youth Camp, volunteered to work at the Easter Egg Hunts in both Berlin and Stephentown and are working on additional projects/volunteer opportunities and community activities they can organize.
Youth to Youth International is a drug and alcohol free organization that promotes fun and healthy choices to teens all over the world; hosting a four day conference at Bryant University in Rhode Island. Here teens can all get together to experience the time of their lives with other people from all over the country who also believe in the Youth to Youth lifestyle.
At Youth to Youth teens find not only fun alternatives to support a drug and alcohol free lifestyle but an attitude and philosophy that aren’t found elsewhere. Said to be a “land of magical thinking where reality is found”; these teens are free to be themselves without fear of judgment and find not only increased self-esteem, leadership skills, and confidence but, empowerment, motivation and enthusiasm to bring this message back to their communities. This year was a huge game changer for many; the group looks forward to infusing their ideas into our program and making a difference community-wide and District-wide.
Youth to Youth Berlin would like to thank all of their community and business sponsors, as well as the towns who spnsored teens this year, and made it possible for those students to attend. They are: Kathy Jimino, Rens. Co. Executive, Rensselaer Co. Legislature, Town of Berlin, Town of Grafton, Town of Stephentown, Harris Family LTD Investments, Thomas G. Berry, Jean A. O’Dell, SB Cass Associates, Barbara/Norman Messenger and Teresa/Frank Higgins in memory of Sandford K. Vanderhoef, United Methodist Church at Main Street Berlin, Grafton Volunteer Emergency Relief Squad, Inc., Taconic Plastics, Atlantis Corporation, Stephentown Federated Church, Berlin SADD Chapter, Gundrum Lumber, Rocky Hill Country Store, Grafton Town Store, Farrell Homes, Inc., The Berry Patch, and Vonadeau Wine and Spirits
Biffy Cahill is the Adult Facilitator for Youth 2 Youth Berlin, and the President of TRACs.[/private]