MHM and the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities welcome Tiana Wilkinson to the position of Drug Free Communities Grant Coordinator. Ms. Wilkinson earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology from Mount Hoyoke College in South Hadley, MA and is working toward her Masters in Public Health at Boston University. Ms. Wilkinson brings expertise in substance abuse prevention and partnership development to reduce youth substance abuse and other risk taking behaviors among Medford youth. When asked about her new position, Ms. Wilkinson stated,” I am thrilled to be joining Medford Health Matters as the DFC Coordinator.  I am eager to collaborate with community members in finding effective ways to reduce the rates of substance abuse among youth in Medford.” Ms. Wilkinson will work out of MHM’s office space at 146 Exchange Ave.  To reach Ms. Wilkinson please call 978-688-2323 x8616 or email her at twilkinson@glfhc.org.

As you know, the Medford Family Network exists to provide family  support for families in all types of circumstances and situations. We  provide parenting education and family activities when you need them,  as well as concrete supports when you need them!

This is a “Shout Out” to those who may be in a position to help us  with a particular family.  The following is a list of items that this
family would greatly appreciate.  Those that attended the Shower of  Support on Sunday, May 15, 2010, need to be aware that those items  will immediately help this family as well as many others that we serve.

Mother –  Clothes Size 12, Shoe Size 9
Father –  Pants Size 34W x 30L, Shirts M/L, Shoes 8.5
Girl –    Clothes Size 2T, 3T; Shoes Size 4, 5
Household – New Queen Size Bedding
Family – Gift Cards to Kmart, Walmart, Target, Kohls, etc., any amount

Please call the Network at (781) 393-2106 for more information or to donate!

Sincerely,
Marie Cassidy, Family Specialist

Students from Tufts University, along with Medford School Food Services, Consultants from the Massachusetts Farm to School Program, along with a few Medford parents, will gather together to launch a Farm-to-school Initiative for the school children by hosting a citywide, Community Dinner kick-off event at the Andrews Middle School!

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With the nice weather on it’s way, many of us in Medford eagerly await spring cleaning. It’s a wonderful time of year because not only are sprouts and gardens popping up everywhere, but so are yard sales. This year many large “city-wide” yard sales are being organized. In a continued effort to be the green city that we know Medford is, let’s all do our part to keep any items that can either be recycled or reused out of the dumps.

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pashley bike

Happy Spring! It is wonderful to see the crowds of people walking and riding bikes, buses, and trains! New Walk/Ride Day coordinators and sponsors are joining us and integrating new events, challenges, and incentives. If you would like help organizing an event, please let us know, so we can add it to our website and help spread the word and inspire others.

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Hey parents and caring adults – check out the latest article in the Medford Transcript by Tami Gouveia-Vigeant, Medford Health Matters’ Drug Free Communities Director!

Team TADD Amazing Race Registration form

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The Amazing Race through Medford Square

We are Team T.A.D.D. West (Teens Against Drinking and Drugs), a youth group of Medford Health Matters who meets in West Medford at the West Medford Community Center. We are organizing an Amazing Race that will take place in Medford Square on April 21, 2010. This race is being held to raise awareness of underage drinking and drug abuse prevention while raising funds to benefit our group. This race is targeted towards teens to provide them with an alternative to destructive decisions over April vacation. We are trying to create a stronger, united community by hosting this race. We are looking for adult volunteers and teenaged participants to take part in this race. Participants will enter as teams of two. The entrance fee for each participant is a $5 donation to our group. The Amazing Race will begin and end at City Hall’s Council Chambers. All participants will need to fill out and return a registration form (parent’s signature required). The deadline to enter the Amazing Race is April 16^th. Please come and enjoy the fun!  For more information, to enter the Amazing Race as a contestant or to volunteer, please contact Penelope Bruce at (781) 393-2560 or PBruce@medford.org

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Be a Parent Not a Pal Presentation April 12^th

By Penelope Bruce

On Monday April 12^th from 7pm-9pm, Medford Board of Health and Medford Health Matters Substance Abuse Task will be hosting a presentation for parents at the Caron Theater, Medford High School.

Be a parent not a pal is a presentation created by Richard P. Campbell and the law firm of Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy to educate students, parents, teachers and members of the community about the Social Host Law, and to illustrate the legal consequences of allowing those under the age of 21 to possess alcoholic beverages. The presentation will tell the stories of victims of the consequences of underage drinking as well as of the hosts who have been prosecuted under the Social Host Law. They show what happens when good kids make bad decisions and well-meaning parents who think that they are providing safe havens for their children and children’s friends painfully discover that these havens are not safe after all. They discuss the liability of social hosts when civil actions with millions of dollars at stake rapidly follow criminal prosecutions. They give new perspectives on the question, “Mom, Dad, can I have a party here at the house? Some of my friends will be drinking, but since I’ll collect all of the car keys, we’ll be safe, and everything will be all right.”

This program is for all parents with teens 6th to 12th grade but the program content is geared toward parents with teens in High School.

Admission is free and refreshments will be served, please RSVP at Medford Board of Health 781-393-2560 or at pbruce@medford.org

Where you live affects your health: A Look at Diabetes Risk in Black Women

Please join the Massachusetts Dept of Public Health in featuring Featuring:

Yvette Cozier,DSc Epidemiologist, Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, Asst. Professor of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health

On March 18, 2010, 11:30-1pm

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Parent Advisory Committee, pawinn@yahoo.com

Parents have long asked what they can do to help us make the club a successful place for their child. In an effort to allow parents to make their voices heard we have created a parent advisory committee. Phyllis Winn parent of Robert and Samantha Winn has agreed to head this committee, her email address is listed above. If you are interested in helping her with any of the following events, or know another way that you can help our club to be a greater place for youth please let us know.

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Movie and Pizza Night, Friday April 16th 6-9 p.m.

Need a night out, not interested in hiring a baby sitter? Leave your kids at the club and know that they’ll be safe and entertained. For only $15.00 per child, you can enjoy three hours of child free bliss. We’ll provide pizza and an age appropriate movie. Registration is required for this event. Please obtain a registration form from the front desk. All registrations must be received by Friday April 9, 2010.

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