Forward/U. is celebrating its second annual FREE spring program this year on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the Community College of Beaver County – Monaca Campus! If you have teenagers and want to learn ways to help them have a positive future, we strongly suggest you attend this event. Forward/U. is an interactive choice coaching program for parents and teens. Unlike many other risk prevention programs, Forward/U. provides a positive and exciting experience for parents and teens while educating them on the benefits of avoiding destructive behaviors and the importance of making good choices.
Last year the program received extraordinary reviews from both the parents and teens in attendance. This year’s program is expected to be an even bigger hit! In response to last year’s feedback, Forward/U. 2013 is all about the pressures that teens face and effective parent-teen communication. Teens will have the opportunity to participate in a program called, Teen Life Exposed. This activity is a competitive scavenger hunt that includes team challenges which are focused around the pressures teens regularly experience. Teens will participate in this segment under the supervision of volunteer mentors. Every teen will be receive a free Forward/U. drawstring bag to carry their scavenger hunt supplies, and will have the chance to compete for prizes! Parents have a choice between two different educational segments this year, The Mock Teen Bedroom or Cybersense. The Mock Teen Bedroom is back by popular demand and will be presented by Detective Captain Anthony McClure, of the Beaver County District Attorney’s office. This segment explains how to visually inspect a teen’s bedroom, while providing parents with up-to-date drug and drug paraphernalia trends in the area. Cybersense is a segment that focuses on safe-guarding teens from the dangers of today’s electronics and social media. This segment will be covered by D. Elaine Surma, Senior Supervisory Special Agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Lastly, parents and teens will join up to take part in a communication seminar. This portion of the program will offer communication tips, realistic recommendations and discussion topics for both teenagers and parents. Nicole Kurash, the Clinical Youth Program Director at Gateway Rehabilitation Center will be leading this educational segment. The first 20 registered teens will receive iTunes gift cards (program attendance required), so register early! All registered teens will be put into a drawing for an iPod touch, along with other door prizes. On the day of the event, Sunday, April 28, 2013, registration and a complimentary lunch will be available from 1:30-2:00 pm, with the program running from 2:00 to 5:30 pm. For more information and to register please visit our website at www.ForwardU.org or call 724-432-3474.