Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. ASK joined #GivingTuesday in an effort to raise funds and continue local programming that promotes awareness and prevention of substance use/abuse and other destructive behaviors damaging to our youth.Occurring this year on November 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways.
On October 1, 2017, ASK received the last installment of a 10-year, $125,000 grant, as the term has concluded. This grant was designated to support our programs and activities including Save A Life, Youth Court, Drug and Alcohol Awareness and Prevention, and Prescription Drug Awareness and Disposal.
Every two years, ASK distributes a Prevention Needs Assessment Survey in the Yorktown and Lakeland School Districts - these results helps us to determine where we need to focus our efforts as well as where we are succeeding. Some of the highlights are as follows:
10th-Grade Students Past 30-Day Use of Select Substances
- alcohol use decreased from 41.3% in 2011 to 31% in 2017
- cigarettes use decreased from 10% in 2011 to 1.5% in 2017
- marijuana use decreased from 19% in 2011 to 14% in 2017
In an effort to continue these positive trends in Yorktown, we ask that all community members participate in GivingTuesday. The action you take will help determine the future of ASK, and our future of educating and empowering our youth to make healthy decisions.