Byline: Charlotte Boucher
The upper county is a great place to raise kids: open spaces, wonderful schools, and a generous, caring community. But our distance from more urban areas and the resources they provide can pose real problems, especially for our young people. They often can’t drive yet, or if they can, they need access to a vehicle. And it takes at least a half hour to get to 270, anyway.
That, in a nutshell, is why UPN – the Upcounty Prevention Network – came to be. We recognized that our local kids were missing out on opportunities and services the youth of other areas in the county took for granted.
We all know it takes a village to raise a child. UPN’s goal is to mobilize the power of community to promote healthy lifestyles for our kids. That means physical well-being, mental health, and positive relationships. We sometimes say we’re connective tissue: we don’t directly provide all the services, but we help students and their families learn about them and get access to what they need.
For example, this May 29 UPN is partnering with WUMCO to bring together noted experts on the issues surrounding social media and our youth for a panel discussion at Town Hall as part of the Wellness Wednesday series. It will be available in person at Town Hall at 7:00 or live streaming at the UPN Facebook page, so as many families as possible can learn from the experts, ask questions, and find out what’s available to help them work through this often-difficult topic safely and successfully.
Because we are blessed to live in a community that cares, UPN almost never has to launch major fundraising drives. Local families and merchants have always been generous with their time and with gifts of goods, services and money. We are always delighted to receive donations, however! If you’re interested in supporting UPN’s work, please visit UpcountyPreventionNetwork.org and click the donate button! Every penny goes directly to support our kids.