tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71041747982411102132024-02-07T12:38:48.174-08:00SRSLYChelsea coalition dedicated to preventing destructive behavior in youth.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-48697702148795036172012-07-09T10:40:00.000-07:002012-07-09T10:40:19.362-07:00So, 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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?"<br />
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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.<br />
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Questions or comments? Email rcurran@srslychelsea.org, or call (734) 593-5279.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-39395685107842837482011-09-30T09:21:00.001-07:002011-09-30T09:33:42.163-07:00We got the grant!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RvYqlhYuDJeri8NazvIYrCd4DiY5nN66DY_m6oyKavD0ixqn2T4MDONWUD6UFe9u-_FUHaWbhsPqsXLb3BQuHhVyai_NdTJ5BgBBBF9ZI2bpJELmITyaNUhy2lteFoBSeJhCgGsPxJ0/s1600/IMG_3124.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RvYqlhYuDJeri8NazvIYrCd4DiY5nN66DY_m6oyKavD0ixqn2T4MDONWUD6UFe9u-_FUHaWbhsPqsXLb3BQuHhVyai_NdTJ5BgBBBF9ZI2bpJELmITyaNUhy2lteFoBSeJhCgGsPxJ0/s400/IMG_3124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658188934452869810" /></a><br /><br />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. <br /><br />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!SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-77615500269097377962010-03-14T15:10:00.003-07:002010-03-14T15:10:30.843-07:00Hi Everyone!!!!<br /><br />Don't forget we have a SRSLY ST PATTY'S DAY PARTY!!!!!!!! on wednesday! :)Ellen MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293581875174536879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-55641868238328568322010-03-09T08:47:00.000-08:002010-03-09T08:51:30.846-08:00Retreat 2010Hi Everyone!<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />EllenEllen MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04293581875174536879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-10195253049062194092010-01-21T04:14:00.001-08:002010-01-21T04:14:56.937-08:00$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!SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-80616538959415651392010-01-03T12:51:00.000-08:002010-01-03T12:52:10.257-08:00The first post of 2010, from YSC Treasurer Judy KimThe 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<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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!<br /><br /> Hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far! Have a great 2010!SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-66941477343132103282009-12-27T12:33:00.000-08:002009-12-27T12:35:46.234-08:00B srsly safe this holiday seasonHi 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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />Have a SRSLY safe holiday!<br /> <br />Ellen<br /><br />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!SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-76320621449831129002009-11-15T09:40:00.001-08:002009-11-15T09:40:41.695-08:00Minimum Legal Drinking AgeMINIMUM LEGAL DRINKING AGE: 21<br /><br />The issue of the minimum legal drinking age (or MLDA) has been on the news, and was recently discussed on the CBS program 60 Minutes, and Comedy Central’s Colbert Report. If you would like to read John McCardell’s argument for lowering the drinking age to 18, go to www.chooseresonsibility.org.<br /><br />The non-profit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving opposes this change. Go to www.madd.org to read why. Here are some Michigan-specific traffic crash data on the subject:<br /><br />“In 1972, when the drinking age fell to 18, drinking drivers ages 18-20 in crashes more than doubled. In one year. By the last year of the 18 law, it had more than tripled. In 1979, we went back to 21, and those crashes fell by about a third. The number of drinking drivers ages 18-20 in crashes did not fall back below the 1971 number until 1990. The trend on fatalities was less severe. It didn't quite double, never did triple, and dipped below 1971 levels in 1985.” Source: Office of Highway Safety Planning, Michigan State Police.<br /><br />The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the current minimum drinking age law has saved over 800 lives per year over the past five years. Source: www.nhtsa.gov.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-59692765669465405462009-07-29T10:00:00.000-07:002009-07-29T10:16:08.491-07:00Hi from Louisville!Well it's Day 3 of the Mid-year Training Institute with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). We're in Louisville at the Downtown Marriott. It's hot and muggy outside, but it's FREEZING in here! They just loooooove air conditioning down here. <br /><br />But besides the temperature extremes, I've had a great time meeting and learning from other coalition leaders, and hearing about what their communities are doing to prevent destructive behaviors. I've also had the chance to share some of what we're doing in Chelsea, and get some feedback and reactions. (everyone loves the Chaz/CPTN SRSLY idea - way to go Zoe!!!)<br /><br />Now we're about to get started with a session on "Social Hosting Ordinances" and enforcing laws against parents hosting teen drinking parties. It's a packed room, full of other folks who want to prevent tragedies in their communities, that are so often the result of teen substance abuse. I can't wait to hear what other coalitions are doing to fight this problem, and what SRSLY can do in Chelsea. <br /><br />Before I go, if anyone wants to review any of the presentations from this week, they're all going to be posted online at www.cadca.org. This is an awesome website with tons of resources, so check it out, and let me know if you see anything you think we can and should use in SRSLY!SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-55323783679833610392009-05-29T07:23:00.000-07:002009-05-29T07:24:53.562-07:00SRSLY BroadcastsSRSLY Seeking Video and Audio Submissions for Broadcasts<br />The SRSLY coalition is inviting youth and adults to create video and audio broadcasts for its new SRSLY Broadcasts effort. The broadcasts may be showcased on SRSLY Cinema nights in downtown Chelsea, Channel 18 cable television, YouTube, the SRSLY web site and the Chelsea School District web site. <br />“We’re excited to launch this new expressive component of SRSLY,” explains Sharon Kegerreis, project leader and parent volunteer for SRSLY Broadcasts. “We hope that SRSLY Broadcasts will encourage people to develop a broad spectrum of video and audio submissions.”<br />Submissions may include a variety of media formats, such as original movie shorts. High school student Zöe Suffety, an intern for Edgar Norman Creative, developed several movie shorts featuring CPTNSRSLY (Captain SRSLY), a brightly painted mannequin bearing a color likeness to the Hulk. Suffety’s movie shorts will be showcased on June 25, the inaugural SRSLY Cinema night after Sounds and Sights on Thursday nights in downtown Chelsea. <br />“It was fun getting a taste of advertising,” says Suffety. “I put some time restrictions (on the movie shorts) and integrated different things I wanted to accomplish. It was a pretty interesting and, overall, I had a great experience.”<br />Other examples of broadcasts include public service announcements, commercials, interviews, and testimonials. Broadcast “producers” may highlight youth or adults involved in extracurricular activities. These activities may include any topic. Examples include hiking in the area state parks, raising chickens, running in the Run for the Rolls family race, or grilling in the backyard. <br />“Chelsea is a vibrant community of writers, actors, artists, and producers. As a Board member of Chelsea Center for the Arts, I am exposed to so many talented people,” says Kegerreis. “As a mother of a teen and 5-year-old, I am in awe of the limitless imagination of my daughters and their friends. SRSLY Broadcasts gives our community members another avenue for positive self-expression.”<br />Submissions should be in a fully-edited video or audio format. Broadcasts must be saved in MPG or AVI formats and should express one of the defined risk and protective factors that are priorities for the SRSLY coalition and be fully edited and ready to be broadcasted. (See side bar.)<br /> To submit broadcasts, complete the two-page application form located on the SRSLY web site at www.srslychelsea.org. Submit the completed form and your broadcasts to Kegerreis at sharon@michiganvine.com and co-project leader Angie O’Neill at angelaoneill@aol.com. There is no deadline for submission. Any questions may also be directed to the project leaders by email. <br />"SRSLY Broadcasts will ultimately serve as prevention education pieces for our community,” explains Angie O’Neill, chair of SRSLY’s Marketing and Evaluation Committee. “The sky is the limit regarding ways to incorporate prevention messages into each broadcast, and the steps are simple to ensure that your project aligns with the mission of SRSLY.” <br />The SRSLY Broadcasts application is available at www.srslychelsea.org. SRSLY Broadcasts should integrate one (or more) of the following SRSLY Coalition Risk and Protective Factors: <br />Priority Risk Factors the SRSLY coalition wishes to decrease:<br /> *Youth access to alcohol and other drugs in the community<br /> *Parental approval of alcohol and other drugs<br /> *Youth approval/use (peer pressure) of alcohol and other drugs<br />Priority Protective Factors the SRSLY coalition wishes to increase:<br /> *Opportunities for positive community involvement<br /> *Opportunities for positive family involvement<br /> *Commitment to school<br />SRSLY Broadcasts are being immediately accepted. Submit your application and fully edited video or audio to sharon@michiganvine.com and angelaoneill@aol.com.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-70015715107760100382009-03-05T14:25:00.000-08:002009-03-05T14:30:55.483-08:00SRSLY St. Patrick's Day Party<strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">When: Tuesday, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, 7PM - 9PM</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Where: At the Depot</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Who: Beach and CHS students</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">What: Party - music, food, games, prizes, fun.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Why: Good excuse to hang out with your friends until 9pm on a school night.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">How much: Free entry for everyone who wears something green, $5 for everyone else.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Come and join the fun! It will be a blast! </span></strong>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094345780728602637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-34599801631809869612009-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:002009-03-05T10:17:18.749-08:00Boredom and EntertainmentOn the subject of small towns like Chelsea, where there is nothing to do... <br /><br />"People young or old who complain about the boredom "out there" in their town should look inside, where they'll find that their boredom really comes from within. Boring people get bored. Some local kid complaining about how there's nothing to do in Chelsea mostly just needs to, as they say, get a life: find the wisdom or backbone to engage with other people and get a larger purpose than filling his or her hours scanning for a new amusement. Entertainment is itself like a drug: you develop tolerance, and, eventually, you need bigger and bigger hits, until, eventually, you just sit there on the couch thinking there's nothing much to do. There are plenty of bored people in Manhattan: it's not the place, it's the person. Outfits like SRSLY can help not by providing more amusements to soak up teen ennui, but by hosting opportunities for people to discover what joy and purpose can be found in engagement with and service to others, even if most people are a pain in the butt in one way or other. You're never really going to be happy until you stop trying to stay entertained, and Chelsea's as good a place as any, and probably better than most, to figure that out. Wherever you are, you're going to find your happiness in the people around you, if you find it at all. So seeing as how we're here, let's have another party, y' know?" - Jeff Prenevost, SRSLY Coalition Member, currently working with Ellen and Katie Christie to plan the entertainment for our St. Patrick's Day Party.<br /><br />Still think Chelsea kids drink and do drugs because they're "bored?"SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-89004705936475895512009-02-13T06:15:00.001-08:002009-02-13T06:21:29.687-08:00SRSLY Survey Sensation Sweeping Chelsea!By: Allie Reynolds, 7th grade<br /><br />Attention everyone in Chelsea: SRSLY needs your opinion! The Chair of the Marketing and Evaluation sub-committee of SRSLY, Angela O’Neill, has created a survey designed to get the public’s opinion on SRSLY. It is brand new and posted visibly at <a href="http://www.srslychelsea.org/">www.SRSLYchelsea.org</a>. It was designed to give SRSLY the push they need, and to let SRSLY know what people think. It takes less than five minutes to complete and is a great way to get your thoughts and opinions into SRSLY.<br /><br />The results will be used to tell SRSLY what the community wants, and where to really focus their efforts. Anyone who has internet access should take this survey because the members of SRSLY need to know everyone’s opinion. So log on to www.SRSLYchelsea.org and give us your ideas.<br /><br />This survey is very important to SRSLY because it tells us what people think, and it lets SRSLY know what our next step should be.<br /><br />Madisen Powell, Secretary of the Marketing and Evaluation sub-committee says, “A survey is important because it helps SRSLY know what they need to work on, and what the community and SRSLY don’t agree on.”<br /><br />SRSLY needs the people of Chelsea to tell us what they want us to do about destructive behavior in Chelsea youth.<br /><br />“A survey is important because it’s always helpful to get other kids’ and parents’ opinions on SRSLY,” says Julia Porter, 7th grade student and member of SRSLY.<br /><br />This survey is a great way to get the community’s voice to the leaders of SRSLY.<br /><br />“This survey is important because we need to know where we’re starting before we can know where we’re going,” said Reiley Lewis, the Director of SRSLY. “This information will help us see if SRSLY is making a difference in the community.”<br /><br />The results of the survey are going to be presented on March 12th, so hurry and take the survey before it’s too late. We want as many people as possible to take the survey. The more opinions the better, so spread the word! If you’re a parent, tell your kids and the people you work with. If you’re a kid, tell your friends. The students at Beach Middle School have already started taking the survey. Please help SRSLY by giving them your ideas. If you have access to the internet, be sure not to miss this opportunity to get your ideas into a local organization! So give us your thoughts, beliefs, and ideas on SRSLY, and take the survey. Give SRSLY a piece of your mind!SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-61280462777214515792009-01-06T05:16:00.000-08:002009-01-06T05:49:27.323-08:00SRSLY Fun New Year's Eve PartyWhat a great party! I hope the rest of the 200 people at the Seriously Fun, SRSLY New Year's Eve Party had as much fun as I did.<br /><br />Hard to say what my favorite part was... I LOVED the music! I had never seen the Chelsea House Orchestra play before, and I was definitely impressed. Very cool. Of course I also enjoyed seeing so many kids having fun - playing Guitar Hero, getting their faces painted, decorating cookies (suppiles donated by Cole Funeral Chapel), and playing soccer and basketball. But I think best of all was watching friends and families work together to eat half a pie (donated from Meijer and Polly's) during the final event in the SRSLY Olympics. I know everyone was already full of pizza (donated by Jet's and Thompson's), donuts (donated by Pierce's), sandwiches (donated by Zou Zou's), popcorn, and pop... oh, and six different kids of chili, all washed down with cornbread! But even with those busting bellies, every team dug deep and ate their share of pie. <div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj6avzWuC7pE_799OFOVA9jtaYAYXhVyRxP_dTALwSZM5PP7Jp4xDVv_on5nVaC6oSWMK5DW9T42bEBwIqXRsbDLaGkyxnPRXsLAM0tvxC7E3EFn9IVT3hisZ8rYQxdfmGzPjd7pipHk/s1600-h/DSC08130.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj6avzWuC7pE_799OFOVA9jtaYAYXhVyRxP_dTALwSZM5PP7Jp4xDVv_on5nVaC6oSWMK5DW9T42bEBwIqXRsbDLaGkyxnPRXsLAM0tvxC7E3EFn9IVT3hisZ8rYQxdfmGzPjd7pipHk/s320/DSC08130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288170533883170386" /></a><div>Best of all, the whole thing was the idea of kids. You guys came up with this concept at our SRSLY youth meeting way back in November. You said that there need to be more good options for fun things to do on evenings and weekends in Chelsea - and look what happened! The great thing about this community is that adults really do care about kids, and they want to help them be happy, and support them in their decision to stay drug and alcohol free. So when you guys said you wanted a party, adults made it happen. Of course, we couldn't have done it without your help at the brainstorming session (as a non-gamer, I never would have thought to have Guitar Hero there, but that was definitely a highlight for lots of people at the party!) So keep those ideas coming, and if we continue to work together, we can make lots more good stuff happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously this type of fun doesn't just happen - it takes time and energy to plan and coordinate all the moving parts, and it takes warm bodies to make it happen when the time comes. Everyone who came owes a HUGE thank you to the following volunteers, who helped plan, organize, and pull off the srsly fun party: </div><div>Andy Ingall</div><div>Abby Ingall</div><div>Pat Conlin</div><div>Beth Morris</div><div>Jason Boyer</div><div>John Knox</div><div>Cyndi Jabara</div><div>Samantha Jabara</div><div>Nancy Fritzmeier</div><div>Thuy Bui</div><div>Sara Wild</div><div>Chris Stehlik</div><div>Patty Sweeney</div><div>Tim Sweeney</div><div>Tracy McCormic</div><div>Emma Argiroff</div><div>Hope Morrow</div><div>Jim O'Neill</div><div>Angie O'Neill</div><div>Nancy Siegrist</div><div>Gary Siegrist</div><div><br /></div><div>The Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs of Chelsea also deserve a big thank you for their donations of funding for supplies and refreshments, as does the Chelsea School District for the donation of space and equipment. (Pat Little suggested we use the smartboards for video games - genius!) And thanks to the McCormic Family for donating all the black balloons. They looked great with our green ones. :)</div><div><div><br /></div><div>So in closing, thanks to everyone who made this possible, and I can't wait for the SECOND annual SRSLY Fun New Year's Eve Party! <br /></div></div>SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-66915760240182434632008-11-17T17:50:00.000-08:002008-11-17T17:58:58.805-08:00SRSLY Youth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nN2h7LWKd4J4zK1XC2pzFQ5oki_Y9FiyxOycT35djdBfBU2Ni55vrGmdMtwO-qPt4988u-NlhGZLNG0sXsYicyN5vr2wqS55iLgb-S4AS-Qz8v4IY_D2tDDZs5JT-kPoA6steFBLe24/s1600-h/SRSLY+youth+meeting+11.13.08+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269811090373870594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nN2h7LWKd4J4zK1XC2pzFQ5oki_Y9FiyxOycT35djdBfBU2Ni55vrGmdMtwO-qPt4988u-NlhGZLNG0sXsYicyN5vr2wqS55iLgb-S4AS-Qz8v4IY_D2tDDZs5JT-kPoA6steFBLe24/s320/SRSLY+youth+meeting+11.13.08+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>On Thursday, November 13, nearly 60 kids filled the Beach Middle School library to answer one question: What can we do to prevent kids in Chelsea from drinking and doing drugs?<br /><br />The SRSLY Youth Meeting brought together local 10 to 18-year-olds who shared their ideas about the SRSLY Program and ways to connect with Chelsea’s youth about high-risk behavior. Working in groups of six or seven, the attendees came up with over 50 different ways to prevent underage drinking and drug use. Facilitators included teachers and Link Leaders from Chelsea High School and Beach Middle School, youth pastors, a librarian, and parents.<br /><br />This is what we are all about. This is the whole point of SRSLY. We are a team, made up of very different people, who all want the same thing. We want kids in Chelsea to be happy and healthy, and make good decisions about drugs and alcohol. And the best way to achieve that is to let the kids take the lead. That's exactly what happened last week, and I couldn't be more excited about it. Thanks to all those who came and shared their great ideas.<br /></div><div>If you want a chance to speak your mind and share your ideas, your chance is coming up tomorrow (Tuesday, 11/18, 6:30 - 8pm at the Washington St. Education Center cafeteria). Can't make it tomorrow? Keep checking the calendar at <a href="http://www.srslychelsea.org/calendar">www.srslychelsea.org/calendar</a>. We'll have another big meeting in early December. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269811084544810194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d2prhepHMw64zQATiNIkYXH8PFJoEY7fzCXMb0Oe94pgZiUs0XSyfIXiiShAkXGBDtGmOTmqm1AzAh2AUCLlHIhqRfmzxJbb5CobOEx1Becl-OtunPcKCaFTI0QuaCAnk3okaHEhxFw/s320/SRSLY+youth+meeting+11.13.08+018.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-69237272642874622632008-11-12T07:12:00.000-08:002008-11-12T07:27:25.376-08:00Why We're HereLast weekend, something terrible happened. Two Chelsea teens, Ian Hughes and Anna Herter, were killed in a dirt bike crash on Friday evening, November 7th, 2008.<br /><br />What we know is that they were on a dirt bike, it was after dark, and they weren’t wearing helmets. There is some speculation that alcohol was involved, but that has not been confirmed. Whether or not alcohol was involved, riding a dirt bike in the dark with no helmet on is very dangerous. If alcohol was involved, then it made an already dangerous situation even worse. Now Anna and Ian are gone, and everyone who knew them will miss them very much. Our deepest sympathies go out to their friends and families.<br /><br />But it didn’t have to happen this way. SRSLY is here because we want to make sure this stuff doesn’t happen anymore. But if we’re going to do that, we have to work together. We are lucky to be part of a community of people that care about each other. Now we have to work together, as a community, to try and prevent tragedies such as this one from happening again.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-12056408451411419742008-11-07T07:14:00.000-08:002008-11-07T07:31:14.041-08:00SRSLY YouthOctober was a fun time to be part of SRSLY. Between Project Sticker Shock, the Link Crew Homecoming Tailgate Party, Anti-Drug posters and lessons with 5th and 6th graders, and having kids sign up to join SRSLY left and right... the past month was totally awesome!<br /><br />With Project Sticker Shock we COVERED Chelsea businesses with bright green stickers and posters, reminding adults that buying alcohol for minors is in fact, illegal. Seems simple enough, but what really got everyone's attention (including the Ann Arbor News and Chelsea Standard) was the fact that kids were the ones sending the message! 40 CHS students joined together with Chelsea PD and 19 local businesses to raise awareness about the penalties for buying for minors, and send the message that it is srsly not ok.<br /><br />Over 300 South Meadows students worked on posters to promote a drug-free lifestly in Chelsea as part of the "What's your anti-drug?" poster contest. Kids drew themselves running, horseback riding, skateboarding, reading, climbing trees, and hanging out with their friends and family, because these are all healthy things that help them stay drug-free. For their community service project, Girls on the Run participants brought completed posters to businesses on Chelsea's Main St. and asked them to display the posters in their stores. Once again, the message that kids want to live above the influence is heard that much more clearly when it is coming directly from kids. <br /><br />So here's what we need now: more youth involvement. Adults can only do so much with SRSLY. I need every kid in Chelsea, between the ages of 10 and 18, to come to a meeting on Thursday night, November 13th, at Beach Middle School library from 6:30 - 8pm, and share your ideas about what we can do to prevent destructive behavior in Chelsea youth. I want to hear why you think kids in this town drink or do drugs, and I want to hear how you think we can keep that from happening in the future. No, scratch that... I don't WANT to hear your ideas. I NEED to hear them! Because let's face it, you guys are the ones on the front lines. You know what's really going on. So you know better than any adult what should be done about it.<br /><br />Plus, I'll have lots of pizza at the meeting. So even if you don't have any ideas right now, you should come anyways. You'll get to eat some food, see your friends, and hear their ideas. And I'm sure after talking about this stuff for a little bit, you'll come up with some of your own.<br /><br />Then after you come to the youth-only meeting on the 13th, make sure you join your parents at the community-wide meeting on the 18th, at the Washington St. Education Center cafeteria. That's where we'll tell adults in Chelsea all the great ideas youth had, and get to work on implementing the chnages you asked for.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-83792993135139479002008-10-01T09:16:00.000-07:002008-10-01T09:23:12.550-07:00Scary new trend in an already scary drugTwo different parents sent me this story, and I think it's important that you all know about it too. Check out the following link about a new trend in crystal meth: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/02/health/main2752266.shtml?source=RSSattr=Home_2752266">www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/02/health/main2752266.shtml?source=RSSattr=Home_2752266</a>.<br /><br />Parents need to make sure you know enough about crystal meth to talk to your kids honestly about it, and explain to them why it is so important to never try this drug. If you want or need to learn more about meth, go to <a href="http://www.theantidrug.com/">www.theantidrug.com</a>. They've got good information on all drugs, including crystal meth.<br /><br />Kids, if you're curious, please send me your questions. You should also ask your parents about meth, or any drug for that matter. There is good information out there, and no reason to wonder alone.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-70161937699441189082008-09-26T19:59:00.001-07:002008-09-26T20:10:41.413-07:00Srsly, what's with the t-shirt slogans?Here's a break-down of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SRSLY</span> shirts you saw at the game tonight...<br /><br />"Good Times!" Pretty straightforward... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SRSLY</span> is all about having fun in safe and healthy ways - that means no drugs, and no underage drinking! We will plan and host and promote fun substance-free events all year long, so keep an eye on the calendar at <a href="http://www.srslychelsea.org/calendar">www.srslychelsea.org/calendar</a> if you want to join in the fun.<br /><br />"Thank You For Noticing Me." You saw these on banners as well as t-shirts. Did you know that when kids think that adults in their community notice them, they are less likely to drink or do drugs? How simple is that?!?!? We (adults) know that we all notice and appreciate the young people in Chelsea, but that's not good enough! We (adults) need to make sure that youth know that we notice them! So notice a young person, and make sure they know you did!<br /><br />"My Neighbor Likes Me." Same idea, a little deeper. Beyond being noticed, young people need to know that they matter to their family, and their community. The more kids feel like their neighbors and other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">adults</span> in the community like and appreciate them, the less likely they are to engage in destructive behaviors (like drinking and doing drugs). So if you know a cool kid in your neighborhood, you need to go out of your way to tell them how cool they are! And if you are a cool kid in your neighborhood - YOU ROCK! YOUR NEIGHBORS LIKE YOU, A LOT!<br /><br />"Words On A Shirt (a good place to start)" We all need to talk openly and honestly about drugs and alcohol, and the effects they have on our lives and bodies. Kids need to talk to trusted adults, and parents need to talk to their kids (and each other), about how to stay safe and healthy. No one has all the answers, but we can all learn from each other, as long as we TALK! So parents, talk to your kids. And kids, ask a parent or other trusted adult. Everyone has questions, so let's get them out in the open, and find some answers. Shirts are just the beginning...<br /><br /><br />You want a cool shirt? Earn it! (or buy it). Check out the website to find out how. Updates coming soon.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Reiley</span>SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-85366736121447583872008-09-26T19:53:00.000-07:002008-09-26T20:38:30.617-07:00Thank You!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt5yAeDuOvEkvdsKHM3wWie4pPz-d6l7DuLgBhxWMifAN2c3_f-cqIg8Z0usvpVbTjtfZm4wSPgf-90cydqOCdwnaeHtn63kg7K1F7HgQBozc9lVaVR8lDBu7eMrU-LsU6D_jcvVu6ro/s1600-h/DSC07588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250536490428547666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt5yAeDuOvEkvdsKHM3wWie4pPz-d6l7DuLgBhxWMifAN2c3_f-cqIg8Z0usvpVbTjtfZm4wSPgf-90cydqOCdwnaeHtn63kg7K1F7HgQBozc9lVaVR8lDBu7eMrU-LsU6D_jcvVu6ro/s320/DSC07588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Dear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SRSLY</span> Volunteers, </div><br /><div><br />Thank you for being, by far, the coolest volunteers on the planet. Tonight was so much fun, it was ridiculous, all thanks to YOU! It was so great to see everyone excited about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SRSLY</span>, and preventing destructive behavior in Chelsea youth. And it was so fun seeing everyone covered in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SRSLY</span> tattoos, glow bracelets, and t-shirts! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY_KpuZFd5HKkIfuHLLRNRxywodUOHB4-ycH6EvmD1fKxl_6g0w3Ug1d2IxyYg2sqM6RSiaOtxXmcBugAiZaDo73rz6MhJwY6XjeLIvOLRLDj2iJ8wDpUodFhl25LCfm7YetU0vCmfRY/s1600-h/DSC07622.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250536492850805458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY_KpuZFd5HKkIfuHLLRNRxywodUOHB4-ycH6EvmD1fKxl_6g0w3Ug1d2IxyYg2sqM6RSiaOtxXmcBugAiZaDo73rz6MhJwY6XjeLIvOLRLDj2iJ8wDpUodFhl25LCfm7YetU0vCmfRY/s320/DSC07622.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Speaking of... if you're <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wondering</span> what the t-shirts are all about, check out the t-shirt post. If you want to see more pics, check out the Facebook page (SRSLY Chelsea). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt9oLcrvrXYhkuKgHmvk4B__X1C3vJ3coegTrkogB_vDDXcQF-bj7hM42AxlmZMMNFu9yig4ecYKmOT4Z1np7eLxFhHPRtNuE6sNw2VVGftF9SPTWGksrHOH-nBxOWgyzQoViZsdIWnM/s1600-h/DSC07594.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250536490568145426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt9oLcrvrXYhkuKgHmvk4B__X1C3vJ3coegTrkogB_vDDXcQF-bj7hM42AxlmZMMNFu9yig4ecYKmOT4Z1np7eLxFhHPRtNuE6sNw2VVGftF9SPTWGksrHOH-nBxOWgyzQoViZsdIWnM/s320/DSC07594.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you want to volunteer for future <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SRSLY</span> stuff, go to <a href="http://www.srslychelsea.org/">http://www.srslychelsea.org/</a> and click on the volunteer! link. Cool stuff coming up in October. Check it out! Some of the dates may chance (like for Project Sticker Shock), but if you want to sign up, click the link and let me know. We'd love to have you! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SRSLY</span> is super-good times!<br /><br />Thanks again. U guys srsly rock! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_lDwhNhPCoZA4DxgUNqac-2E8FV8dSpv1ldh8BfSt79Q5s1u25xZIJkr4EFszmW8MCabH1XRqa_Pl0NguyXFtO7BvfzHuWoRaYxISZmyled4roa8_gVKXuAYtVB4k65wpHhuHBWo6Mg/s1600-h/DSC07629.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250536497273684866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_lDwhNhPCoZA4DxgUNqac-2E8FV8dSpv1ldh8BfSt79Q5s1u25xZIJkr4EFszmW8MCabH1XRqa_Pl0NguyXFtO7BvfzHuWoRaYxISZmyled4roa8_gVKXuAYtVB4k65wpHhuHBWo6Mg/s320/DSC07629.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />- Reiley</div>SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-60230681317002996312008-09-15T06:54:00.000-07:002008-09-15T07:12:44.749-07:00Getting Good InfoI spend a lot of time on-line. When I have a question, a work-related project, or a need to waste time or entertain myself, I usually turn to the internet.<br /><br />Everyone has their favorite websites for passing the time, but where do you go when you need an answer? How do you know you've found the right source? I struggled with this question last week, as I spent hours following a trail of websites with information about the minimum legal drinking age. Because of the Amethyst Initiative (<a href="http://www.amethystinitiative.org/">www.amethystinitiative.org</a>), the debate over whether or not to keep the drinking age at 21 has been in the news. I decided to review the evidence on both sides of the case, so I could make an informed decision about my position on the issue.<br /><br />Easier said than done. I ended the day more confused than I started! Mothers Against Drunk Driving says alcohol has a negative impact on brain development. ChooseResponsibility.org says it doesn't. Argh! So where do you go when you have a question about drugs and alchol, and you just want a straight answer, without a hidden agenda?<br /><br />I have found the information at two websites to be reliable, straight forward, and easy to understand: The Anti-Drug (<a href="http://www.theantidrug.com/">www.theantidrug.com</a>) is aimed at parents, while Above the Influence (<a href="http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/">www.abovetheinfluence.com</a>) is geared towards youth. Both have tons of information on any substance you could think of, tips on how to deal with youth who are using, and interactive feautres like quizzes to test your knowledge and skills. Check them out, and let me know what you think.<br /><br />Also, if you find a website that is super awesome, or super lame, tell me about it! That way we can give everyone else a heads up to either check it out, or avoid it.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104174798241110213.post-9365625198678304182008-09-10T12:13:00.000-07:002008-09-10T12:15:49.552-07:00NEW BLOG<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAyFoKkI3X0EU0Z-PQpuoDMkt_TKdC_urAD6K3i4VcUJglTyWjcqbL2ll49qyYbznUxO_rYmyKDVavKxJSsWGkhKjH5-X5LgX2CMYH5cbtRUsb3EwwJIt8kjjxAdjLVX0nrSbqsqX2n4/s1600-h/GAMEINVITE.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAyFoKkI3X0EU0Z-PQpuoDMkt_TKdC_urAD6K3i4VcUJglTyWjcqbL2ll49qyYbznUxO_rYmyKDVavKxJSsWGkhKjH5-X5LgX2CMYH5cbtRUsb3EwwJIt8kjjxAdjLVX0nrSbqsqX2n4/s320/GAMEINVITE.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244473495068143490" border="0" /></a><br />COME TO THE CHS VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME!<br />Learn what SRSLY is and how you can become involved.SRSLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10799189001308875919noreply@blogger.com0