By Jasmine Franklin
Drugs, alcohol, and bullying will be the focus of a series of discussions for students in October and November.
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is bringing four speakers to schools throughout the community to discuss issues in today’s teenage world.
“We realized we weren’t really reaching out to teenagers as much as our other demographics,” said executive director of FCSS Joanne Comeau. “We thought about the dominating issues today and decided having open discussions about them was beneficial.”
The non-profit, government-funded community agency offers programs and services to enhance the lives of families and individuals.
These presentations, are expected to effect teenagers lives but anyone including parents is invited.
Katy Hutchison will speak at the Ponoka Composite High School gymnasium on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. Her presentation will focus on a personal experience about how alcohol, drug use, peer pressure and bad choices have effected and propelled her exploration into forgiveness and restorative justice.
Major Conrad Flapps is a courageous aviator who enlists his audience as his flight crew when he can’t seem to get off the ground. He will be at St. Augustine Catholic School Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m. and Ponoka Elementary School at 2:15 p.m.
On Nov. 4 and 5, Sally Glover, a registered psychologist and national instructor for St. St. Francis Xavier University, will talk about bullying and using empowerment techniques to change bullying attitudes with humor, creativity and spontaneity. She will present in the gymnasiums at St. Augustine Catholic School, Diamond Willow Middle School, Ponoka Composite High School and Ponoka Outreach School.
And lastly, Dr. J. Stuart Ablon Ph.D, will hold a presentation Nov. 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a one-day workshop Nov. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the alternative concepts of dealing with difficult children and adolescents — The Explosive Child: The Collaboration Problem Solving Approach. He is sponsored by Ponoka FCSS, Rimbey FCSS, Wetaskiwin CFSA, Wetaskiwin County and City of Wetaskiwin FCSS. Dr. Ablon has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline NBC, and Good Morning America. His presentation and workshop will be at the Ponoka Kinsmen Community Centre.
All presentations are free and require no registration except for Dr. Ablon who has sold out the centre.