Volume 3 Issue 3
July 2008
MISSION Making Choices for a Better World STATEMENT MJCPC observes Take Our Daughters & Sons To Work Day 2008 The mission of the Metro Jackson “Making Choices for a Better World” was She also provided tips for making better choices: Community the message to the students who participated in 1. make peace with your past choices, 2. look for Prevention Coalition is to reduce factors the 2008 Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work a pattern, 3. decide to make better choices and 4. that lead to alcohol, Day observance spearheaded annually by the ask for help. tobacco and other Angelia Gooden, MJCPC training specialist, drug use and Metro Jackson Community Prevention increase resiliency Coalition (MJCPC). The program is designed to said, “The students were very excited and very factors of adolescents, give students a firsthand look at the world of eager about going to the various offices located children and families within the Jackson Medical Mall, JSU e-Center in high-risk work by allowing them to shadow a and on the JSU main campus to shadow an environments in professional on Jackson State University’s main Jackson, Miss. employee. The students were excited about campus, the JSU e-Center or the Jackson learning what that department/division did and CALENDAR Medical Mall. how it worked. They all talked about what they Jasmin Searcy, Miss Jackson State did from the time they left their work site until Peer Educator University, 2007-2008, who served as the guest they got off the bus at their school. I hope that speaker, gave a thought-provoking message to Training-of-Trainers these young teens keep that enthusiasm and November 11, 2008 the students that required their participation in remain focused when they get older and enter the her presentation. Searcy invited audience work force.” Coalition Meeting volunteers to share their experience as a shadow “From start to finish, the success of the October 6, 2008 to a professional. She followed that by telling annual Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work End-of-the-Year the students, “My goal today is to challenge Day observance by MJCPC is always a reflection Celebration each and every one of you to adopt new goals of the dedication and fortitude of Mrs. Terry December 12, 2008 for everyday situations that you are faced with Bennett, MJCPC outreach worker, said Alvin L. whether it is peer pressure involving cigarette Clark, MJCPC program manager. “That success CONTENTS smoking, drugs, alcohol, and so on or simply is measured by the response and enthusiasm of the just making decisions for your future. students toward the observance and their Let me introduce to you what I call the Page 1 MJCPC observes Take three Cs: Challenges, Choices, and Our Daughters & Sons Consequences. As students, we all are faced To Work Day with Challenges, and then we are forced to
Page 2 make Choices whether they are good or bad and MJCPC observes Take then our choices are followed by Consequences, Our Daughters & Sons which is by definition something that logically To Work Day continued or naturally follows an actions or condition.”
Peer Educator Nakia L. Searcy further explained, “We want to Walker profiled make sure that we make the right choices so that the consequences that follow our choices Page 3 MJCPC holds peer will become positive and not negative. The key educator graduation to making better decisions is to know yourself, ceremony your values, your priorities, your direction, your Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day participants (left to right) Jalesa Gatlin, W. goals. If you have a handle Page 4 on these elements Samuel Bell, and Kenya Odems are pictured with Community Coalition of your life, it’s much easier to evaluate the Miss Jackson State University 2007-2008 Jasmin Resource Links opportunities the world has to bring you.” Searcy, who served as the guest speaker.
Continued on page 2 JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition
Making Choices for a Better World
MJCPC observes Take Our Daughters & Sons To Work Day 2008 continued willingness to continue with MJCPC as Hardy Middle School, Peeples Middle McEntee, Kristen Rogers, Peer Educators. This year, of the 50 School and the parents for entrusting Edward Samuel, Jeremei Shelby, students who participated in the us with the welfare of their students Keanna Turner, David Winfrey, and program, we were able to recruit 34 for this world celebration,” Clark Roger Woods; and Peeples Middle who want to encourage their peers to be added. School students: Derrick Allen, drug-free. That is the testimony to the This year’s participants included: Roneshia Armstrong, D’Kirah great work of Mrs. Bennett and the Hardy Middle School students: Atkinson, Briana Fitzer, Glenn Greer, eagerness of the students to create a Shapaula Barnes, Adrianne Brazzle, LaDarius Gustavis, Alfred Hicks, drug-free community. Diquari Brown, Lakicia Brown, DeAngelo Howard, Zebulum James, Valerie Johnson ,Kaliyah Jones, “As we continue to observe Take Arsenio Burton, Aereal Church, Hero Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day, Quinton Kelly, Corey Moffett, Clincy, Chastidy Demby, Alexander the students, the parents, the MJCPC Ukamaka Nwakorie, Kenya Odems, staff, the professionals at JSU, the JSU e Gatewood, Jalesa Gatlin, Michael Elva Randle, Travis Reginal, Carmen -Center and the Jackson Medical Mall Hansberry, Marketa Harrington, Rhymes, Jamie Slaughter, LaZundrea are all helping our students “Make Toriante Hinton, Jeremy Hoard, Ariel Smith, Rachel Stamps, Sierra Stewart, Choices For A Better World. We owe a James, Branden Kincaid, Jacquelle Briana Thomas, Chaya Vance and huge debt of gratitude this year to Lindsey, Jessica Lyle, Joycelyn Megan Woods
Nakia J. Walker profiled as Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition peer educator
Nakia Roberts University. I really admire proudest moments. She also said, J. Walker her for continuing forth with her what she enjoyed most about the Peer became calling. You can’t find many young Educator training program is “the involved adults her age willing to do that. May amount of information given to me.” with the the Lord our God continue to use her Terry Bennett, MJCPC outreach Peer and guide her in all she does.” worker, said, “Nakia Walker, a very Educator “Nakia has been a joy to work quiet young lady who always Program with as a Peer Educator,” said Alvin L. volunteers not only in our program but in January Clark, MJCPC program manager. in her community and church. Nakia, of 2007. “Open and receptive to new started working on her mission a long She Nakia J. Walker information and always willing to time ago. I understand from Nakia graduated assist made her a valuable asset to the and her mother that she always wanted from Jim Hill High School with the staff and her cohorts. She was always to be an evangelist. I know that Class of 2008. Her hobbies include: full of positive energy and a good role through her hard work and dedicated reading, writing, church activities, model for the incoming students.” service that she will be very successful singing, skating and swimming. The She counts Calandra Daniels, in her endeavor.” Mississippi /American Choral Minister Rigel Robinson and Mrs. The Quarterly Alert is published by the Directors Association European Tour Bonita Hinton among the persons she Metro Jackson Community Prevention “Sounds of America” and first most admires. Her favorites include - Coalition, Mississippi Urban Research Soprano in the All State Honor Choir “Think Before You Ask” (quote), Center at Jackson State University, for are her most cherished honors. history (school subject), gospel its members and the general public. Angelia Gooden, MJCPC Project (music), caramel popcorn (food), Inquiries regarding The Quarterly ALERT specialist, said, “Nakia yellow (color) and she calls Sherrina Alert may be directed to: MJCPC, JSU Box 18120, Jackson, Mississippi Walker has a quiet sweet spirit and is Robinson her best friend. 39217; Telephone: (601) 982-0861; always willing and able to do what is Walker said, “Being in the I.B. Fax: (601) 982-0795; Web site: asked of her. Even if we don’t ask she (International Baccalaureate) Program www.murc.org/mjcpc/mjcpc. will happily volunteer to help us out. (at Jim Hill High School), a proud Nakia knows what she wants in life participant of my school’s ‘Tigers for Velesha P. Williams: Executive Editor Angelia Gooden: Managing Editor and she is going for it. She wants to Christ’ leadership gatherings and Pamela McCoy: Copy Editor do the work of the Lord by becoming becoming a part of the (MJCPC) Peer Terry Bennett, Alvin L. Clark: Staff Writers an evangelist after studying at Oral Educator Program” are some of her Lee E. Campbell II: Graphic Artist
Page 2 JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition
“Education Plus Determination Equals Success”
Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition holds peer educator graduation ceremony Educator is an educational process that requires a focused mind and motivation. At times I could have been doing other things during my summer, spring and various breaks, but instead I chose to be a midwife, giving birth to knowledge we sometimes never knew we had. Words can never express how MJCPC has played one of the most important roles in my past and my future success. I give thanks today, tomorrow and forever more. MJCPC, you’re the greatest. M\ completion of childhood and high school years speaks to that tremendously. I must carry on and represent MJCPC in a Christian and professional way. In conclusion, I would like to give top recognition to my mother. Mama without you always being there through thick and thin, I could not have overcome all the obstacles Seated (left to right) are MJCPC Peer Educator graduates: Nakia Walker, TaQuilla Haralson and Kenisha Bennett. that I have been through. I love you always and forever. Standing are: Alvin L. Clark, Terry Bennett, Brenda My heart goes out to all 2008 graduates. ” Gilmore, Dorlisa Hutton, Angelia Gooden and Velesha P. The Peer Educator experience for TaQuilla Haralson Williams. was life-enriching. She said, “I endured in so many things Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition and experienced so much here. Being in this program made (MJCPC) held its annual graduation recognition ceremony me realize that people care about how our generation in honor of four Peer Educators that graduated from high develops. I’ve met new people who showed me it’s okay to school during the 2007-2008 school year. The theme for be yourself. Being in this program was like being adopted into a new family. I enjoyed my time here and to Mrs. this year’s celebration was “Education Plus Determination Bennett, Mr. Clark, Ms. Gooden and Mrs. Williams, may Equals Success” and exemplified the character of the four God be with you and may God bless you.” graduates: Kenisha Bennett, Provine High School; TaQuilla Nakia Walker said, “In today’s society, the outbreak of Haralson, Forest Hill High School; Courtney Harris, gang and domestic violence, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, Murrah High School; and Nakia Walker, Jim Hill High and so forth are all issues that need to be resolved in the School. Jackson area. Only with understanding and knowledge of Dorlisa Hutton, program manager, My Brother’s the situations at hand can that be done. One of MJCPD’s Keeper, Inc., and chairman of the MJCPC Advisory Board, teaching methods that I recall for reducing the problems in served as the guest speaker. Hutton’s message to the the Jackson area is to educate all through awareness. graduates and parents began with the definition of Awareness is the only way that the Jackson area will determination: D-Decisions, E-Excel, T-Time, E-Endure, succeed on decreasing these issues. Metro Jackson R-Responsibility, M-Multi-tasking, I- Integrity, A-Active, Community Prevention Coalition has opened my eyes to T-Thrive, I-Internally, O-Obtainable, New. She then the problems in the Jackson area, as well as, given me the encouraged them to be determined to succeed. tools to be able to reach out and help. Now, I understand Each graduate was given the opportunity to express what it means to be a Peer Educator, an individual that sees reflections of their experience as an MJCPC Peer Educator. problematic hardships in his or her community, and puts Bennett said, “Memories are something we never forget, forth effort to make a change. Yes, coming to the Medical but always cherish. As I stand here today, I look back at a Mall 8 in the morning till 5 in the evening has made a time full of laughter, fun, enrichment and exploration. difference. MJCPC also helped me to appreciate and MJCPC has really been an inspiring factor in my life. I understand the role of African-Americans in today’s have been a member of MJCPC since I was 13 and each society. I extend my thanks to my parents, Mrs. Williams, year has been life-changing. Looking back over the years, I Mr. Clark, Ms. Gooden, Mrs. Bennett and others who have give reflections on various camping trips, outdoor summer taught me. In addition, I now realize that my continuous activities, different educational sessions, and last but not journey in life is not as hard as it seems; only until you least, the end-of-the-year celebrations. Once I was told to have become involved and dedicated to something will write a reflection, I began to get emotional. Although they your existence be truly realistic.” was tears of joy, I have tears that represent the struggle we Due to a prior commitment, Harris was not available have faced as teen Peer Educators. Becoming a Peer to offer her Peer educator experience personal reflections.
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Jackson State University Non-Profit Org. Mississippi Urban Research Center U.S. Postage JSU Box 17309 • Jackson, MS 39217 PAID Jackson, MS
Permit No. 290
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/about/index.html address: site Web
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MJCPC STAFF STAFF MJCPC Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Use Prevention Links Prevention Use Drug other and Tobacco Alcohol,