The entire training session for local members of Youth Leaders in Kansas (YLinK) was worth the trip but the breakout sessions were especially enlightening, said Tyler Morton, Juvenile Services prevention advocate.
Nine young people and two adults attended the recent Upstream Kansas training event at the Rhatigan Student Center at Wichita State University.
“When our YLinK members participated in the breakout sessions, it was awesome to watch them process what they were learning,” Morton said. “Their passion for the topics was obvious and the sessions gave me more insight into how our group could apply what they learned within our own coalition.”
Topics included how to speak during a meeting; fundraising opportunities; building partnerships; peer-to-peer support; and building a campaign.
Morton noted he appreciates the governmental teamwork by agencies that support young people in a variety of ways.
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services oversees YLinK, while the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) sponsors Upstream Kansas. CADCA is under the umbrella of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It is amazing and gratifying that these entities collaborate to provide this level of training in Kansas,” Morton said. “Through the work of CADCA, youth have scholarship opportunities and access to information about mentoring.
“In addition, they can potentially be trainers themselves after high school graduation.”
Other agenda items at the Upstream Kansas training included: keynote speaker Taylor Johnson, who does stand-up comedy and speaks about mental health; a panel of four young people who spoke about their coalitions and special projects that they started in their schools and communities; and a presentation about the Kansas Youth Prevention Action Council.
Morton and Glenna Reinert were the two adults who attended the training.
20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.
