DECEMBER 2022
Upcoming Events
Dec 1, 6:30-7:30 PM: WHEN and State Road PTSA are co-sponsoring Family Game Night at State Road Elementary school to bring families together and build community. We hope to bring this event to all of our elementary and middle schools this school year. Learn more here.
This month, WHEN is providing naloxone training for WCSD District Administrative Office employees in order to make our community safer for all. We appreciate the school district's cooperation and support. If you are a DAO employee, contact Janine Sanger for details: director@whendfcc.org
Webster Headlines
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URMC is now offering Nicotine Dependence Treatment for all ages. In-person appointments, telehealth, and free Commit to Quit group sessions are all available. This is an amazing resource for our community and has the potential to help so many struggling with nicotine addiction. It's particularly beneficial to our youth population who have seen an increase in nicotine dependence, but have had few resources to help them quit.
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Last month, we offered a Resiliency Webinar by Dr. Joseph D. Fantigrossi, Ed.D, Director of Intervention and Professional Development-Finger Lakes Community Schools, Coordinator-Seneca County Community Schools. He also presented in person to our coalition at our monthly meeting. We are grateful for his insight and hope to make his presentation available on demand on our website in the coming weeks... stay tuned!
Managing Holiday Stress
Protective Factors: Emotional Control
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” A.A. Milne
For some of us, the holiday season is filled with things to do, presents to buy, and people with whom we enjoy spending time and making memories. However, for others, the holidays can highlight the fact that special people are not in their lives and, for some, the lack of money is a reminder that gift-giving will be limited or may not be a possibility. While holidays mean different things for different people, the one constant is that extra stress can be sprinkled in for all.
“Be calm and merry on.” - Unknown
The good news about all of this stress is that there are actions you can take to cope. A Johns Hopkins Medicine article states, “Before you start preparing, acknowledge that things may not go exactly as planned. It’s OK if it’s not perfect. Imperfection is healthy and normal”.
Some actions you can take to focus on self-care are:
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Keep to routines as best you can.
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Make sure to get sleep.
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Fit in time for physical activity.
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Make healthy eating choices.
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Say no to anything that feels extra.
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For those seeking connection with others, volunteer, and help out where you can.
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If you are lacking money, remember that you are the best present anyone could have.
WHEN invites you to visit the following resource for additional health and wellness tips during the holiday season: hopkinsmedicine.org.
On behalf of WHEN:DFCC, we wish everyone Happy Holidays and continue to appreciate all that you do for our community.
Spotlight
We'd like to thank Webster Central School District's athletic directors and high school health teachers who welcomed WHEN into health classes in November so that we could learn directly from students about their perspective, attitudes, and concerns about nicotine and alcohol use. Hearing directly from teens is our best resource for understanding current community needs so that we can tailor our programming to be most effective.
We are very grateful for the support from Webster schools and look forward to a continued partnership to keep Webster kids safe and healthy.
Upcoming Meetings
We meet in person AND online via Google Meet the second Wednesday of each month at noon.
Our next coalition meeting is December 14 at noon.
Many of us join during our lunch break. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. In fact, our goal is to have representation from all walks of life, to better meet the needs of the whole community.
Register here to receive details for both in person and online options.
Bring your lunch and join in person at NEQALS: 1030 Jackson Rd, Webster, NY 14580 (extra parking next door)
Reminder
Be extra gentle with both yourself and those around you. Happy holidays to all!