The document provides a recap of the 2009 fall retreats for the Natural Helpers of Maine program. It discusses how the retreats allow Natural Helpers to support their peers and build community. Specific strategies the Natural Helper groups planned to address issues in their schools are also summarized, such as awareness events around substance abuse and building school spirit. The summary highlights the program's focus on empowering youth to help their peers and make a positive impact in their communities.

1. Volume 2, Issue 1
Fall 2009
Fall Retreat Recap: 2009
At the time of this writing we they need when faced with like substance abuse, vio-
are wrapping up the last of personal issues. When a peer lence, self harm, and risk of
the Fall Retreats for the 2009 in need is linked up with suicide. These underlying
-2010 school year. It has someone who can help him conditions include feelings
been a great privilege to be a or her, that is a situation that of a lack of support, weak
part of the retreats and to see reaps important benefits for social networks, and feel-
Natural Helpers in action. It the overall school environ- ings of isolation. When
is no wonder why your peers ment. you listen to a peer, you are
nominated you to be part of helping to improve that
the support structure for your perception that there is no
school communities. You One of the things that really one there for support.
are all very inspiring indi- struck me as I observed the When you initiate an action
viduals and offer a great ser- Retreats was how a lot of the plan to bring people to-
vice to your schools. conversations focused around gether, you are working to
this concept of community. quell feelings of isolation.
And when you boil down the When you hold school-
This year is shaping up to be Natural Helpers of Maine wide events, you are help-
another tough one economi- logic model, that is really ing to improve weak social
cally. School budgets have what you are doing. You are networks. You ARE build-
WWW.NATURALHELPERSOFMAINE.ORG
become ing community.
The Listener
increas-
ingly
stressed I very much look forward
as the to witnessing how the re-
overall mainder of this school year
economy unfolds. You all have
has con- come up with some very
tinued to impressive action plans for
struggle. the year. You all demon-
How- strated some great listening
ever, we and referral skills at the
still had Retreats. I have no doubts
a healthy that your schools will bene-
contin- fit greatly, once again, from
gent of schools attend the building community. what you bring this year. I
NHM Retreat trainings. This wish you the best for the
is a testament to your school coming year. See you in
administrations for recogniz- The research shows that a the Spring, if not before.
ing the importance of what peer support program like
Natural Helpers of Maine -Scott M. Gagnon
you provide for your school.
They recognize that this is an really can address some of NHM Coordinator
investment that pays back as the underlying conditions
your peers get the support that contribute to red flags
Inside this issue: News and Tidbits:
Retreat Recap 2009 1 • This year we will have trained over 100
Natural Helpers at our Fall Retreats.
Human Sculptures 2
• We will be in contact soon with those who
“Influenced” A Youth-Led Movie Project 2 signed up to be a part of the Student Advi-
sory Board. We will try to work out a time
Natural Helpers Spring into Action 3 to meet either in person or online.
Natural Helpers of Maine on Facebook 4 • We are hard at work on the Natural Helpers
of Maine website. Stay tuned!

2. Human Sculptures from Natural Helpers Retreats 2009
Clockwise from top left: Falmouth High School, Deering High School, Greely High School, Casco Bay
High School, Marshwood High School
“Influenced”: a Youth-Led Movie Project:
Movie Trailer Released! By Carl Lakari, Project AWARE Coordinator
Project AWARE has just released a movie short on the subject. and acted primarily by young people.
trailer for it’s latest movie project enti- Overall, over 100 cast and crew made it
Over the course of the following
tled “Influenced”. This project focuses possible and it addresses an issue that
school year, PSA creators Aleah Gra-
on raising awareness of the impacts of concerns all of us – how parents model
ham and Josephine Cooper ages 12 and
parental role modeling. for their kids.
14, worked with Project AWARE Play-
For over 5 years, Project AWARE has ers, staff and experienced community This is a great model of service learn-
been providing programs and services members to create a 30 minute direct- ing where teens put their creativity and
to empower young to-DVD movie. This ideas into action. Become a fan on
people to take the dramatic movie Facebook and subscribe to the blog for
lead on issues that “short” addresses updates.
are concerning them. youth issues such as
Project AWARE Links - For more
This has included prescription drug
information and video go to:
substance abuse, abuse, eating disor-
prescription drug ders, alcohol and to- Website: www.projectaware.net
abuse, bullying / bacco, with the focus
“Untold Stories: the Truth about Bully-
harassment, teen being on how adult
ing and Harassment
pregnancy, media role modeling influ-
enced the choices www.untoldstoriesmovie.com
literacy, and more.
young people made. YouTube Channel:
In the summer of 2008, Project
AWARE held its first Summer Film When Project AWARE hosted its sec- www.youtube.com/projectnaturalhighs
Institute. Young people ages 11 – 19 ond film institute last month it became Facebook Fanpage:
created 3 powerful PSA’s about issues a golden opportunity to support young http://www.facebook.com/projectnatur
including peer pressure, teen preg- people to really make a difference. 15 alhighs
nancy, and role modeling. The PSA on youth attendees were trained to crew
role modeling was picked up by a local the film shoot with Maine production Blog and “Influenced” Movie Trailer:
producer who offered to work with company, GumSpirits . The movie, http://projectaware.net/wordpress/?p=1
Project AWARE to create a dramatic titled “Influenced”, is written, directed 53
Page 2 THE LISTENER

3. Natural Helpers Spring Into Action
An important part of the Natural Helpers Marshwood High School: divorcing. Allow peers to voice how it is
of Maine Fall Retreat trainings is the ac- Key Issue: Alcohol Use impacting them.
tion planning portion. Over the course of Strategy: Beer Goggles-An awareness
the 2 days, the Natural Helpers groups activity for middle school students where Poland Regional High School:
engage in two brainstorming sessions. they wear “beer goggles” and have them
The first it to identify the top 3 or 4 issues Key Issue: Substance Abuse
try to shoot baskets, walk, run, etc. Strategy: Bank of Statistics
of concern in their school. The second, is
to come up with Develop a repository of statistics and other
strategies to Deering High School: information on the prevalence of substance
address those Key Issue: Drug Use abuse and its consequences. Develop strat-
issues. Strategy: Assembly and Open egy to disseminate data in school.
House-Giving information to stu-
We, at Day One, dents and parents in ways that will Scarborough High School:
continue to be get their attention using stories, Key Issue: Substance Abuse
very impressed music, etc.
Strategy: Message to Prom-Goers
with the action
Hand out information to prom-goers on the
plans developed Casco Bay High School: impact of alcohol abuse and dangers of
by the NHM Key Issue: Community driving under the influence.
school groups. They have yet again dem-
Strategy: Community Building-Develop
onstrated a keen awareness of the issues
events and strategies to bring groups of Cape Elizabeth High School:
of concern in their school. They also have
students closer together to build stronger
displayed remarkable creativity in creating Key Issue: Substance Abuse
sense of school community.
their plans to address these issues. Strategy: Skits in Health Classes
Write and perform skits around issues of
Fort Kent Community High School:
Here are some strategies planned to be substance abuse in Health Classes to raise
undertaken by our Natural Helpers groups Key Issue: Stress awareness.
in the coming school year. This is just Strategy: Relaxation Night-An evening
one of the strategies that each of the of activities to teach de-stressing tech-
niques and to provide a de-stressing envi- Old Orchard Beach High School:
schools will be developing this year.:
ronment. Key Issue: Substance Abuse
Strategy: Create a Video/Movie
Falmouth High School:
Greely High School: The Old Orchard Beach Natural Helpers
Key Issue: Building Community are writing and producing a short film/
Strategy: Have a Heart Day-Each person Key Issue: Impact of Divorce on Teens
video on the dangers of alcohol and driving
in school is given half a heart and they Strategy: Support Group-Provide a sup- under the influence.
need to find the person with the other half. port group for peers who have parents
who are divorced or are in the process of
Human Sculptures continued...
Clockwise: Fort Kent
Community H.S.,
Cape Elizabeth H.S.,
Poland Regional
H.S., Old Orchard
Beach H.S., Scarbor-
ough H.S.
V O L U M E 2, I S S U E 1 Page 3

4. About Day One:
Day One is Maine’s leading agency
W W W . NA T U R A L HE L PE R S O F M A INE . O R G dealing with teen drug and alcohol abuse.
Day One has been making a difference in the lives of youth for
Day One over 30 years. Our range of programs address youth substance
525 Main St. abuse issues through prevention, intervention, treatment and
South Portland, ME. 04106 aftercare.
Coordinator: Scott M. Gagnon, MPP
Phone: 207-512-8921 Whether our services are required for an individual, a family,
Fax: 207-767-0995
E-mail: scottg@day-one.org school or the wider community, Day One provides training and
education, assessment, screening, referrals and treatment for all
those in need regardless of ability to pay.
Our mission is to dramatically reduce substance abuse among
Maine youth to help them live productive, healthy and reward-
Day One is a member of the ing lives.
United Way of Greater Portland
and the United Way of York County
Natural Helpers of Maine is now on Facebook!
One of the important aspects of the Natu-
ral Helpers of Maine Retreats and Spring
Conference is the opportunity for the
Natural Helpers to network with each
other. It is important for school groups to
bond, but it is also important that Natural
Helpers from different schools connect
and share their experiences. There is a
lot we have to offer and that we can learn
from each other.
It is in this spirit that Day One has
launched a Facebook page for the Natural
Helpers of Maine program. There are
actually two pages. We have the Fan
Page where anyone in the program or in
the general public can become a fan of
the program. This is where we will share
If you are a part of the NHM program In addition to the Facebook page, we are
information to the broader community in
and wish to join the group simple click on working on a stand-alone website for the
Maine and share all of the wonderful
the “join the group” link and the NHM NHM program. If you have any ideas or
things NHM does in the community. We
Coordinator will approve you. You are suggestions for the website please contact
also have the NHM Group Page. This
welcome to share photos, stories, and the coordinator at (207) 512-8921 or
will be exclusively for Natural Helpers,
other information about your experience scottg@day-one.org
Adult Facilitators, and NHM staff.
as a Natural Helper.