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Prevention Programming

New Outlook incorporates a comprehensive approach to the prevention of substance abuse among teens that is evidence-based and supported by the State of New Hampshire. One of the most important protective factors in substance abuse prevention is providing children and adolescents with opportunities for positive interaction with peers during the after-school hours.

New Outlook's regular programs, including Groundbreakers, Kindness Corps, Girls' Group, and Cook's Corner, teach leadership and teamwork, emphasize the importance of community service, and encourage youth to place value in physical activity and their overall health. These are all characteristics that have been proven to prevent teen substance abuse. In addition, New Outlook provides a Homework Help program that encourages academic success and achievement. Furthermore, our Celebrity of the Month program, which honors one youth each month who has been identified as an outstanding participant, highlights the importance of leadership and being a positive role model. We also provide mentoring, a safe place to talk, and a safe, supervised environment.

New Outlook also provides specific prevention programming at the Teen Center. At least once a month during the school year, youth are given the opportunity to participate in programs focusing on substance abuse prevention, health and nutrition, violence prevention, bullying prevention, and tolerance. During our Summer Adventures program, we provide eight specific prevention workshops focusing on substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and internet safety. All of our workshops are provided by trained local professionals, from the following agencies: AIDS Response Seacoast, the Community Diversion Project, Exeter Health Resources, and the Exeter Police Department.

A key part of our prevention programming involves providing support and resources to local parents. We have a monthly e-newsletter focusing on prevention that is sent to parents of New Outlook participants, is available on our website for download, and is also sent to area social service providers for their use. Additional resources for parents are added to our website monthly.

Finally, New Outlook works in the community. Our prevention coordinator works with the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham, providing enrichment activities for all middle schoolers and teaching a prevention curriculum. The prevention coordinator also works with several area groups focusing on substance abuse prevention among youth.

If you have any questions about our prevention programming, please feel free to contact Angela Haynes, Prevention Coordinator, at 778-3933 or at angela@newoutlookteencenter.org.