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For the 2nd year in a row, Columbia has been awarded with being one of the best communities for youth.  That’s pretty amazing!  Come celebrate this occasion on Wednesday, Jan 18 (tomorrow) at 4:30 PM at the Columbia City Council Chambers downtown.  You know you want to.

With the holidays right around the corner, you might be asking yourself, “What am I going to do for New Years?”  How about I give you a suggestion: First Night Columbia.  This is an outstanding event that happens in downtown Columbia on New Year’s Eve.  It’s complete with live music, dancing, fireworks, and more.  There is something for everyone at First Night.  So, bring your friends and family and take advantage of this local hot spot.

For details:

http://www.firstnightcolumbia.org/

For Teens:

There is a venue dedicated solely to teen bands from the Mid-Missouri area.  There will be awesome live bands, plus a dance party to bring in the New Year.  Be there!

During the last week of October, the Youth Community Coalition partnered with multiple agencies to conduct a Prescription Drug Take Back event.  This event gives residents the opportunity to safely dispose of old and unwanted medication.  The abuse of prescription and over the counter medication is a dangerous trend around the nation.  One of the ways to help prevent the abuse of medications is to dispose of medications that you are no longer using and safely store the ones you need to keep.

At the take back events, we collected over 180,000 pills.  All together they weigh over 500 pounds!  That is a great step forward, but there is so much more to do.  We will have another take back event in Spring 2012.  If you need to dispose of medications between now and then, we have installed a 24 hour drop box at the Columbia Police Department.  Just walk into the main lobby and drop them off!

All of this work would not be possible without the partnership and efforts of the partners below:

• Boone County Sheriff’s Department
• Columbia Police Department
• Hallsville Police Department
• Centralia Police Department
• Ashland Police Department
• University of Missouri Police Department
• Sturgeon Police Department
• Harry S. Truman VA Hospital
• MU Wellness Resource Center
• Columbia Public Schools
• Hallsville Public School
• Ashland Public Schools
• Sturgeon Public Schools
• Columbia Daily Tribune
• Missouri Department of Natural Resources
• Family Counseling Center–Prevention Resource Center
• ACT Missouri
• Missouri Youth Adult Alliance

Registration is open for Youth Service Day 2011!

This is a great opportunity for youth all around Columbia to serve together.  Check out the registration page for more info.  http://yc2.org/programs/yc2-events/youth-service-day/

Come check out the 2011 Back to School Health Fair this Saturday, August, 13 from 9-2 PM at the Calvary Baptist Church at 606 Ridgeway Avenue!  Come prepared for free dental, hearing, and vision screenings for K- 12 graders, haircuts, games (with prizes!), refreshments, all while being entertained with one of Columbia’s talented step teams!  Backpacks and various school supplies will be provided on a first- come- first- served basis.

NOTE: Students must be accompanied by adults to receive services.

Recently, the government has made synthetic drugs illegal in the state of Missouri effective this August. These drugs are primarily used to experience the feeling of being high.  Local stores statewide will no longer sell these products, making  them harder to obtain.  What are your views regarding the government’s decision?

Most people think that drunk driving is a big issue in America today, but actually it really isn’t  a big issue like it used to be. Research shows that drunk driving isn’t as common as it once was. But now there is a new problem other than drunk driving. It is drugged driving. Although it doesn’t seem like a problem really it is. it is starting to become more of a problem than drunk driving. In 2007 more than of weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter medicines. In 2009 this percentage rate rose another 7 percent.That’s  crazy isn’t it. So that should tell you something right there. Be Smart and DON’T drive under the influence.

Hey check this out: YC2 Connect 2 invite

Hey check out our new YC2 Newsletter: June 2011

To be involved in positive clubs and activities is a very good thing. It keeps you motivated to do the right thing and stay in that group and it sometimes changes your attitude towards things. For example, if you involve yourself in a school sport or something that you like you will be more motivated to do right and stay in that activity because you enjoy doing it. Plus its way better than being out there doing other things that are illegal. And plus you can feel good about what you are doing because you enjoy it. That is why it is important that young people try to be involved  in positive activities so they don’t end up doing other things that are not good.