Riverhead Community Awareness Program is seeking community volunteers to help facilitate its “2023-2024 Too Good for Drugs Prevention Program” to fifth- and sixth-grade students at Pulaski Street Intermediate School.
The “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum at Pulaski Street Intermediate School is an evidence-based, life skills program designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use. The lessons introduce and develop social and emotional skills for making healthy choices, building positive friendships, developing self-efficacy, communicating effectively, and resisting peer pressure and influence. Research has linked these skills with healthy development and academic success.
“It is not enough to just tell young people to not use drugs or drink alcohol. We must help them develop the skills they need to resist those influences and we also need to create a community that supports healthy lifestyles. By volunteering their time, CAP volunteers show students that there are people in the Riverhead community who care about the choices young people make,” said Cynthia Redmond, Community Prevention Specialist at Riverhead CAP.
Between training and the monthly lesson at Pulaski Street, the total time commitment is only about two to three hours per month during the school year. No experience is necessary. Riverhead CAP ensures that volunteers are fully trained and prepared to teach the scripted program by providing a flexible training schedule. Both English and Spanish speaking volunteers are needed.
“I can honestly say it has been rewarding to know that I have assisted in accomplishing a positive service for the young people in our community. As a bilingual volunteer, it brings me great joy to see our Hispanic youth gain insight into what Riverhead CAP provides to our community as a whole,” longtime CAP volunteer Stella Reinen said.
“Without volunteers, especially bilingual volunteers, Riverhead CAP would not be able to continue to provide drug and alcohol education, counseling and prevention to our Riverhead Schools and community. As the old saying goes, ’It takes a village to raise a child’,” Reinen said.
For more information about becoming a CAP volunteer, or to sign up, please contact Cynthia Redmond, Community Prevention Specialist, at (631) 727-3722, Volunteer@RiverheadCAP.org, or visit CAP’s website at RiverheadCAP.org.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
