The Riverhead CAP is seeking community volunteers to help teach its “Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program” to fifth and sixth grade students at Pulaski Street Elementary School for the 2022 to 2023 school year.
Designed to reduce the risk factors for alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, the program is led by community volunteers and student peer leaders from the middle and high schools.
Lessons aim to help students develop social and emotional skills to make healthy choices, build positive friendships and develop self-efficacy, communication and resistance to peer pressure.
“We’re grateful for the community members who donate their time to support this program,” said Felicia Scocozza, CAP executive director. “Since 1982, we’ve seen this investment of time yield a tremendous payoff, for both the volunteers and the community.”
A total of eight sessions will be held on a monthly basis, with a total time commitment of about two to three hours a month over the course of the school year. Volunteers are trained to teach the scripted program through a flexible training schedule.
“Our volunteers represent a diverse cross-section of the community who share a common interest in helping young people make healthy decisions,” said Cynthia Redmond, community prevention specialist at Riverhead CAP.
Jennifer Power, a longtime volunteer with Riverhead CAP, described the interactions between the older student peer leaders and elementary students as “magical.”
“The younger students always listen closely to their peer leaders as they speak on topics such as the dangers of alcohol, vaping, and drug use,” Power said. “Since the peer leaders are only a few years older, the impact they have on the Pulaski students is apparent. I am constantly amazed by how much this one-hour program truly impacts the lives of each student, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
For more information about the program or to sign up, contact Redmond at (631) 727-3722, email volunteer@RiverheadCAP.org or visit the Riverhead CAP website.
Both English and Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed.
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