MAY 2022
Upcoming Events
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May 15, 12:00-4:00 PM: NEQALS family-friendly open house and community health fair at 1030 Jackson Road, Webster. Meet your town’s first responders, a variety of healthcare providers, and stop by the WHEN table to get a FREE seed planting kit! More information on the NEQALS facebook page.
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May 24, 1:00-2:30 PM: Operation Parent presents a live webinar on SOCIAL ANXIETY: The Silent Pandemic That Needs a Louder Voice. Register here.
Webster Headlines
Community Arts Day
Community Arts Day was a wonderful success! WHEN volunteers spoke with hundreds of community members, helped kids decorate planters, and gave away nearly 250 planting kits, along with tips for “Planting Positivity at Home”. The feedback was great and we are excited to employ this activity at upcoming tabling events.
Prom, Ball and Gradation Safety
Please share our “Have Fun - Be Safe” Prom/Ball/Grad party social posts in the coming months as we share information to help kids and their families prepare for safe celebrations.
Prevention Tip: Talking with Kids
Ewan McGregor was spot on when he said, “The thing about parenting rules is there aren't any. That's what makes it so difficult." As parents and guardians we love our children fiercely and unconditionally, yet we can struggle with setting rules, boundaries, consequences, and communication. As our children get older and become more independent in the world, instilling protective factors and positive choices can seem impossible.
“Children don’t say, “I’ve had a hard day. Can we talk?” They say, “Will you play with me?” – Lawrence Cohen
All children, including teenagers, are strongly guided by what their parents think even when they tell you differently. As children become teenagers, they want to be trusted to do more things than they did when they were younger. “They want to be thought of as mature, responsible, and independent. Giving teens some space and privacy can work wonders for their development,” according to VeryWell Family.
The key to your relationship with your children is communication. An article from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication says, “Begin talking openly early and often — perhaps even earlier than you might think. This helps developing brains grow and creates stronger attachments and healthier relationships early on.” If your teen is heading to the prom or a graduation party, talk about it. Throughout their development, all of those talks have built a relationship foundation for these more challenging conversations. As Matthew Jacobsen said, “Behind every child is a parent who believed in them first.”
Find specific tips for successfully navigating difficult conversations with teens here.
Upcoming Meetings
We meet 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.
Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 11 at noon. Simply register here to receive the meeting link, or email Janine Sanger, Executive Director for more information.
Spotlight
Syed Ahmed Mustafa serves as president and CEO of Northeast Quadrant Advanced Life Support (NEQALS), a Webster-based agency providing emergency medical services in Monroe, Wayne, and Livingston counties. He has been an active member of WHEN and ardent supporter of our work. We especially would like to thank him for offering WHEN the use of a meeting room at NEQALS for our coalition meetings when we are back in-person (stay tuned)! When she appointed him to the Rural Ambulance Services Task Force, Senator Pam Helming said, “Ahmed is highly respected by his peers in the EMS community for his leadership, expertise and commitment to high-quality emergency care and the recruitment of EMTs and paramedics..." WHEN is proud to recognize Ahmed as both a partner and a member.
Reminders
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Prom and Ball season is right around the corner. If someone you love will be participating in these events, please consider sharing our safety tips with them before the event and use the opportunity to discuss your expectations, consequences, and support.
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If you are a member of WHEN but have not yet joined a committee - you’re missing out! Please email Jen at info@WHENdfcc.org to be added to a committee distribution list. That’s how you’ll know what we’re working on and how you can contribute. There is never any obligation to take on specific projects, but Webster benefits from the inclusion of many perspectives and suggestions; yours is needed! See committee descriptions here.
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Not a member yet? Join here. Members share ideas and volunteer on local projects that make Webster safer for families, kids, and teens. We strive to include all perspectives, so please consider joining to share your experience to benefit our town.