Upcoming Events
April 13, 10:00 - 4:00: Stop by Webster Central PTSA’s Community Arts Day and visit our table where we will not only have loads of prevention information to share, but also a fun, free, craft we’re calling “How do you octopi your time?”. Kids can make and decorate a colorful paper fish or sea creature to join our octopus and friends in a huge seascape banner at the event. Our hand-out shares how families can intentionally build protective factors into daily activities by doing positive activities together.
April 27, 10:00 - 2:00: Start cleaning out your medicine cabinets – the DEA’s next National Drug Take Back Day is April 27 and the collection location is the VanIngen Court Building at 1002 Ridge Rd, Webster, NY 14580 (look for the blue roof!). This is a drive-through event. You will not even need to get out of your car. We’ll share more details about how you can help to keep Webster safe by properly disposing of unused medication in next month’s newsletter, so stay tuned!
Webster Headlines
Happy birthday to these WHEN members celebrating in March:
Garrett W, Nicca S, Stephen G, Jennifer C, Martha W, Jen D.
We would like to extend a big welcome to all the new members who recently signed up at Family Game Night events!
We are just starting to plan an event to offer families a chance to weigh-in on issues their kids may be facing and to share perspectives and parenting support. Anyone interested in helping to plan the event should email Linda.
Our group of grant-writing volunteers is full-steam-ahead, and they plan to complete our grant request well before the April 17 deadline. Our outside evaluator will then review it and offer suggestions so we can fine-tune it before submission.
To encourage more Webster residents to join WHEN, we will be listing our current roster of members on our website under "About". This helps interested prospects become more comfortable joining when they see that their friends and neighbors are already members. *If you are a member but do not wish to be listed publicly, (and have not already let us know) please just email Jen and she will promptly remove your name. Check to see if your name is included on the list we plan to publish by clicking here.
PSA: URMC is 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.
Neuroplasticity
“Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, and communities that promote the health and well-being of children and families.” - ChildWelfare.gov
Rewiring your brain to a growth mindset can produce these protective factors: recognition of prosocial involvement, emotional control, interaction with prosocial peers, and opportunities for prosocial involvement in the family and school.
By WHEN member, Judi Swanson, LCSW~R
“You can use your mind to change your brain to benefit your mind - and everyone else.” - Rick Hanson.
Our brains are amazing. This three pound organ in our head controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, and every process that regulates our body. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke calls the brain “the crown jewel of the human body.” Our brain is constantly changing, evolving, and adapting - reflecting the changing, evolving, and adapting of the human it resides in.
“You can change all things for the better when you change yourself for the better.” - Jim Rohn
The human brain has the ability to change. A Healthline article states that “neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to restructure or rewire itself when it recognizes the need for adaptation.” Have you heard the phrase “neurons that fire together wire together”? This refers to the brain’s ability to develop new pathways and relearn others. In all areas of our daily living we can learn new strategies to cope with feelings, change behaviors, develop a positive mindset, and learn new skills.
“You’re in charge of your mind. You can help it grow by using it in the right way.” - Carol Dweck
This knowledge helps a person take action and do the work to rewire their brain in all sorts of positive ways. Activities such as doodling, playing video games, making art, exercising and more provide a plethora of growth for the brain. Failure provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop your abilities even more. If you don’t succeed you can try again in a different way. The same Healthline article states “with a bit of time and patience, you can rewire your brain, which may help with certain mental health symptoms and protect against cognitive decline.” Taking action to make yourself happier and healthier will create ripples of positivity in all areas of your life.
WHEN has grown, adapted, and evolved as an organization. Feedback and input from community members has helped to shape the programs WHEN provides to meet the changing needs in the community.
Spotlight
Thank you Dustin and Ella for your ongoing help at Family Game Night events!
Upcoming Meetings
Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 13 at noon. Register here to receive details for both in-person and online options.
We meet in person AND online via Google Meet the second Wednesday of each month 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. If you missed the last meeting, view it via the link below. We plan to make the most recent meeting available on our website going forward.
Read last month's Coalition Meeting Minutes.
Reminder
We need all of Webster’s support to keep kids safe and healthy. Please join us, share our newsletter with local friends and family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, volunteer, or ask how your business can get involved. Together, we can make a difference for kids right here in our hometown.