So, what do we need?

Five years ago, things in Chelsea were very different. Back in 2007, teens here were using alcohol and marijuana at a higher rate than their peers across Michigan, and that number was moving in the wrong direction - up. We got organized, we got funding from the Coghlan Family Foundation, and we started SRSLY.

Back in 2008, SRSLY conducted a needs assessment to measure our community's youth substance abuse problem, and identify risk and protective factors. This process was the foundation for our strategic plan, and each of our four yearly action plans since then. The needs assessment was the basis for everything we do in SRSLY, from Project Sticker Shock, to SRSLY Cinema.

Here we are today, four years later, with a lot to be proud of. More than 600 volunteers have donated almost 9,000 hours to SRSLY activities. Monthly coalition meetings and events put youth in the driver's seat, with adults playing an important supporting role. Strong brand recognition means people think SRSLY when they see lime green.

So that's what we've got, but what do we need? A lot has changed since we started four years ago, and that's why SRSLY just did another needs assessment. Led by the Assessment Team (or "A-Team" as they called themselves), SRSLY leaders looked at survey data, held focus groups with teens and parents, and interviewed key informants at the schools and in the community. We put all this information together and answered the question, "What are the youth substance abuse problems and needs in Chelsea?"

The answer will be summarized in a full report, which will be posted on www.srslychelsea.org. Next up, the Planning Team will get started on a new and improved SRSLY Strategic Plan, based on the Assessment Team findings. Watch for the new plan this fall.

Questions or comments? Email rcurran@srslychelsea.org, or call (734) 593-5279.

We got the grant!

SRSLY was awarded the Drug Free Communities grant on August 31, 2011! This grant will provide funding to support youth substance abuse prevention in Chelsea for the next five years. This will allow us to build on all the good work we're doing, and expand our efforts to promote healthy youth.

Thank you to all our members and supporters who help us prevent destructive behavior in Chelsea youth! And thanks especially to the Coghlan Family Foundation for the vision and generosity to get SRSLY to where we are today. We could not do it without you!

Hi Everyone!!!!

Don't forget we have a SRSLY ST PATTY'S DAY PARTY!!!!!!!! on wednesday! :)

Retreat 2010

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to say a big 'THANK YOU' on behalf of the YSC to Reiley, Mrs. Morris, Mr. Knight, Bill&Tracie Christie, Sara Wild, Mr. Ingall, and all the other adults for helping us out with our retreat. I think we all learned some new ways to handle some of the tough things about being leaders, as well as had a great time. I didn't honestly think that I would have ever seen Reiley ice skating. Devin, you were crazy fast, and it was a little bit scary. Anyway, thank you everyone for coming, and it was a great time!

P.S. Congratulations to all of the YSC that were nominated and/or elected to new positions or just got re-elected to their old ones! I'm looking forward to a great year.

Ellen

$5.5 billion?!?!? Srsly?

SRSLY is seriously doing its best to help stop destructive behavior in teens! Did you know that each year, students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol, more than they spend on soft drinks, tea, milk, juice, coffee or books combined? Why not spend that money on doing something with your friends? Why not come to one of our monthly coalition meetings, or participate in one of our SRSLY sanctioned events? Coming up in March is the St. Patrick's Day Party. Speaking from experience, it t is a ton of fun and anyone is welcome! Have a safe Valentine's Day, and remember, Don't Do Drugs (or drink while underage) SRSLY!

The first post of 2010, from YSC Treasurer Judy Kim

The New Year’s Eve party was so fun! I think that CHO, the choir, and fiddle club played fantastically! If you were there, then I hope that you had tons of fun! The idea of the whole “scavenger” game was great to keep all of the kids busy and got them to have fun at different stations they would probably never go to. Very brilliant! J

Honestly you guys? Wasn’t playing Eye of the Tiger a million times a little too much? Sure it’s a great song, but too much of a good thing usually turns out to be a bad thing! It gets real tiring, trust me.

The idea of the party was a great hit this year again! So many people were in the cafeteria, I couldn’t even find a good spot to sit all the chairs were filled. The food was awesome, too! The pizza, chips, and drinks! Delicious! Apparently the pizza ran out which was a shame. The food was still scrumptious!

Hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far! Have a great 2010!

B srsly safe this holiday season

Hi Everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a great holiday season so far. Everyone loves the holiday season, all the partying and festivities. This is a perfect time to remind ourselves to be safe, and to make good choices. The holiday season is one of the biggest times for people to become involved with alcohol related accidents. New Year's Eve is the second most fatal holiday as far as drinking and driving goes. Please remember to be safe out there, everyone.

Also, a reminder to anyone that may be new to SRSLY, underage drinking is illegal. The consequences for a minor drinking are heavy: jail, fines, the whole bit. It's great to let your children have a fun time and have fun with their friends during the season, but please, be the best host possible and DON'T serve them alcohol. Alcohol has irreversible effects on the brain until the mid 20s.

Have a SRSLY safe holiday!

Ellen

PS - Don't miss the SRSLY New Year's Eve Party, 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Beach Middle School on the 31st. Free and fun!