Youth task force works to benefit children

Friday, December 6, 2013

Nevada Daily Mail

The Vernon County Youth Task Force has been active since 1994, when then Gov. Mel Carnahan initiated the program.

Denise Nelson, the coordinator of the R-5 School health program, took the initiative to start a local effort to bring agencies and schools together to provide better support services.

Although the program was inactive for several years, it really picked up again seven years ago, finding new life under the leadership of Tricia Bridgewater.

Now the president of this organization, Bridgewater lauded the program, noting, "Students do better when they are working with the community. More progress can be made."

The mission of the organization is to "work hand-in-hand with the community and Vernon County schools," added Bridgewater. Everyone, including parents, schools, and community members, work together to accomplish more, she said.

At the meetings, the organization's members discuss what is going on at the schools and then brainstorm ways to help improve those offerings and issues, Bridgewater explained.

Because of the broad spectrum of interests of the task force, there are a number of different committees with a narrower focus.

The program committee, chaired by Jeanna Brauer, provides "life choices education to youth in the classroom and service learning opportunities in the community."

The mentoring program, chaired by Stacey Wilson; the Dental Care 4 Kids program chaired by Dennis Painter; the fundraising committee, chaired by Tina Zeigler, and LOL (Living Out Loud), a new group chaired by Ranea Schultz, are also part of the collective organization.

Bridgewater said the VCYTF is involved in enrichment services, alcohol prevention, being pro-active, and anti-bullying.

"Just recently we had Dr. Melissa Massey come visit from Webb City to talk about school bullying and what we can do as a community to help prevent it."

The organization decided that bullying was not just a school problem; it is a community problem as well.

Bridgewater said that after much discussion, it was decided that, "adults need to watch their behavior as well as students. We need to figure out how to treat each other with compassion, to be a role model for the students. These are vital things we seem to be losing."

The organization has also recently begun the LOL program, which is coming up with fun efforts like glow-in-the-dark volleyball, powder puff competition and more, "to encourage teenagers to make responsible decisions."

The organization meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month, at 9 a.m. at the community center in Nevada.

"Everyone is very positive, they work well, and everyone is always invited to join," summed up Bridgewater.

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