Medford Health Matters

Let’s Spark Medford’s Potential

11/30/09 | 11:48 am

Team T.A.D.D. West and Team T.A.D.D. South. When you see these words, can you say that you know who these groups are, what they do and what they stand for?

If your answer is no to any of these questions, to me, that is a problem.

I am part of Team T.A.D.D., which stands for Teens against Drinking and Drugs and is a youth organization through Medford Health Matters. Our mission is to reduce underage drinking in Medford as well as change the perception of social norms.

But I have a dilemma.

Although people in the community and many students know who we are, I believe as a whole, the Medford community is not well educated about us. And that is preventing us from gaining the support necessary for our continued growth.

The thing that sparked this idea was when I attended the Search Institute’s Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Conference. It was held in Cincinnati, Ohio from Nov. 5-7.

Teens from all over the United States attended and shared how they are making positive impacts in their communities and beyond.

This conference provided me with excellent networking opportunities and I met a few girls from Rochester, N.Y. They facilitated one of the workshops that I attended and in listening to what they do and how they get their tasks done, I became inspired.

I desire to create the same opportunities in Medford. They explained how whenever they decide to do a project or hold an event, they get the support of almost all of their community. And city officials too!

I want that for T.A.D.D. I want that for Medford.

If I had to approach Medford residents and promote an event for T.A.D.D. or even just T.A.D.D in general, I would probably encounter numerous people that do not know who we are. However, the girls from New York are able to speak to people in their county and most likely have that person know about their group and gain instant support.

I want that for T.A.D.D. I want that for Medford.

I have a vision for Medford because I see it’s potential. My vision includes gaining the support of my community. I want every section of this city to work together to become a better community. I want us all to work in unity.

My vision consists of T.A.D.D. being the catalyst to spark change not only in the youth but in the senior citizens and everyone in between. I’d like to increase inter-generational connectivity because change does not come about by only working with one group of people. From the youngest children to the wisest elders, everyone has a role to play and no one will get left out.

We cannot only focus on the youth, but adults as well. We can focus on the youth to gain new and creative ideas but we have to realize that we don’t have to come up with the basis of our ideas alone. Adults have had experiences that can help us spark change.

The task doesn’t have to be a struggle if we are open-minded and accept help. Medford has as much potential as any other city and maybe even more because we have resources in youth and adults. Medford is strong and as I strive to carry out my vision, I hope our community comes together and becomes engaged in the positive change that’s happening right in their back yard!

— Team T.A.D.D. member Crystal Chandler is junior at Medford High School.

Medford Transcript- Wicked Local

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