LA PLATA YOUTH SERVICES PROJECT
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For my Sophomore Inspire Week, I went with some of my closest friends to La Plata Youth Services and created an event for the teens of Durango and the surrounding areas. The process took two days and is still being worked on outside of Inspire Week. We wrote a grant, came up with ideas and proposed it to some pretty important people.
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4.4k teens commit suicide every year. In the U.S., and Colorado has the highest rates. La Plata County holds the highest stats in the state. How does that make you feel? Well, it hit us hard. So, we came up with a way for teens to be heard and a way for others to bond with people just like them.
We have resources that no one really relies on. Has Safe-2-Tell really helped anyone? If you were feeling negative, would you really call? Teens are highly more likely to talk to friends that they trust, rather than going to an adult. Most adults don't understand. They weren't a teenager living in today's society. "When I was your age..." "I was a teen once too..." are some things we hear quite often, and it doesn't help.
With this event, we want to give teens a chance to be heard and understood. Nothing like this has ever been done. Durango either has events for 21+ or small kids. Teens want something to go to and feel welcome. And not something corny hosted by adults that don't understand our definition of "fun".
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In this event, we are going to start it off with a march. This march will be lead by skaters and bikers. We decided this because skaters are looked at as "stoners" and "stupid". When in reality, they're just doing what they love. But sadly, it's been like this for decades.
We will be marching for the voice of the youth. It'll be held from Gaslight to Buckley. When we get to the end, the main event will be held at Buckley. There will be a stage with live music done by local teen bands, an open mic, food, and other small games that correspond with positive actions.
LIST OF EVENTS//
-Buckley Hill Skate: motivation
-Adult Dunk Tank: age difference
-Mini Ramp(s): expression
-Hacky Sack: connection and trust
-Relay Race: collaboration
-Volleyball: communication
-GaGa Ball: perseverance
-Night Water Balloon Fight (after tech is put up): Let it all out
-Live Art: expression//breaking boundaries and barriers
-Humane Society: stress/coping