The St. Lawrence County Health Initiative's SPORT Program has been offering education, assistance, peer support and tobacco cessation services to youth 19 and under throughout St. Lawrence County for the past five years.
We are extremely grateful to the St. Lawrence County Legislature, Edward I. Moses Walk/Run for Life Corp., Gouverneur Linkages for Prevention and United Way for providing the bulk of the funding which supports SPORT!!
The true essence of SPORT is positive youth development. SPORT is an innovative program that uses positive skills-building activities to teach and model total wellness awareness, community responsibility, job readiness skills, life skills, and so much more. The purpose of SPORT is to teach youth how to make healthy choices, create healthy life goals, and how to make healthy lifestyle changes in order to reach their life goals.
The SPORT program consists of three approaches - SPORT teams (peer education and support groups), Quit Groups, and school-based education programs.
SPORT TEAMS
SPORT team members receive training in: behavior change methods; community resources and referrals; adolescent sexuality issues including abstinence-first, STIs and comprehensive reproductive health; drug use and abuse; healthy decision-making; leadership; teamwork; nutrition; physical activity, and; lifelong wellness. SPORT team members also learn about the Clinical Model for Treating Tobacco Use and how to provide referrals and support for their peers who want to stop using tobacco products. There are currently SPORT Teams in Canton, Massena, Colton, Ogdensburg, Hermon-DeKalb and Gouverneur. Each SPORT Team meets twice a month for support and education and attends outreach events throughout the county to promote the program and educate and recruit other youth. The SPORT Teams also perform community service.
What will I do on a SPORT Team? - Click here to learn more about your role as a peer educator!
SPORT Team Application - Click here to get your application to join a SPORT Team near you!
HOW YOUTH CAN GET HELP TO QUIT USING TOBACCO
Quit Groups are community-based tobacco cessation groups. Youth participate, of their own free will, in either individual or group sessions or a combination. Quit Groups are CONFIDENTIAL and free of charge. Cessation sessions are offered upon request and consist of meeting with youth for eight, one hour sessions. Upon completion of the group, youth are supported as necessary to maintain a tobacco-free lifestyle. Additional cessation support can be maintained through personal contact, telephone, email or AOL Instant Message.
Debbie's AOL Screenname is: tobaccodebbie
Toll Free Phone number is: 1-866-802-8336
Email: millerdl@potsdam.edu
TOBACCO EDUCATION
Tobacco education programs are offered in schools throughout St. Lawrence County. The basis of addiction, consequences of tobacco use and steps for quitting are presented in a lively, interactive format by thoroughly trained and experienced staff. Programs run from one class period to a week-long series, depending on the school and grade-level. SPORT team members also develop and present tobacco education programs for younger students in their schools. Tobacco education can also be presented to community-based groups (examples: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Youth Groups).
HELP US HELP YOUR COMMUNITY
To help this valuable, one-of-a-kind program continue providing services to the youth in your community, we are inviting your business, civic or fraternal organization to “Sponsor a SPORT Team” (click for printable brochure/donation form).
To Sponsor a SPORT Team as an individual, click on the link for a printable donation form.
Open the world of possibilities to the youth that hold the keys to the future of your community. Provide for tomorrow by sponsoring a SPORT Team Today!
To participate in the program, email Deborah Miller or call the office at 267-2807!
Deborah L. Miller, SPORT Program Director
millerdl@potsdam.edu
Kellie Hitchman, SPORT Coordinator
hitchmkj@potsdam.edu
