Get to know local teen-led prevention clubs
Whatcom Prevention Coalition supports youth efforts to provide prevention education and fun activities in schools located in Whatcom County. Click here to learn more about the awesome projects our Whatcom County youth are involved in and passionate about! For more information, or any questions, please contact the club advisor through phone or email, and be sure to become a fan of your favorite clubs on Facebook!
Connect with local groups and activities promoting healthy youth development
There are many groups in our local community that offer programs and activities for promoting healthy youth development. Click here for a list of groups in Whatcom County that you can connect with.
What is healthy youth development?
Healthy (positive) youth development envisions a world where all youth have the support, relationships, experiences, resources, and opportunities they need. It focuses on strategies and processes that foster the healthy well-being of you and offer promising approaches for preventing or reducing a wide range of adolescent health-risk behaviors.
It is “a process by which young people acquire competencies and positive connections to self, others and the larger community (National Youth Development Research Response Initiative, 2003)” It “builds on strengths (“youth -as -assets”) rather than deficits and aims to help youth reach their full potential and become productive adults.
Integration of youth development and community development involves engaging youth as active collaborators through positive relationships with adults, purposely creating environments where where constructive, affirmative, and encouraging relationships with adults and peers are sustained over time.
–Cited from University of Kentucky publication
Areas of focus for healthy youth development:
We focus on positive youth development, healthy relationships and safety, mental health well-being, youth substance abuse education and prevention, youth suicide prevention, and resiliency and protective factors.
youth: just for you
Learn how to help family, friends, or yourself. Videos, guides, info, kits and more to get you the resources you need to get started. Check it out!
areas of focus
Includes positive youth development, healthy relationships and safety, mental health well-being, youth substance abuse education and prevention, youth suicide prevention, and resiliency & protective factors. Learn more.
parents, families, caring adults
Talk. They Will Hear You. Find resources here on how to talk with your children and teens about positive youth development, substance abuse and suicide prevention.
