Upcoming Events


Media Inside/Out Summer Camp

July 21-August 1, 2008 at Barre Tech Center.

Students learn video editing using state-of-the-art FinalCut Pro(tm) software. Campers make their own movies while while learning how to think critically and deconstruct media messages. Scholarships are available. To register or for more information call 223-4949 or email cvndc@verizon.net.

Mountaineers Baseball Teen Game Night

July 18th at 6:30pm, Montpelier Recreation Field.

Baseball fans are wanted to volunteer to run the radar gun, be Skip's bodyguard, help sell tickets and run the field games. Contact 223-4949 or email cvndc@verizon.net for more information.

Ongoing Events

The Smoke-Free Zone Campaign

Central Vermont New Direction Coalition and the Vermont Department of Health are working together to help keep children away from secondhand tobacco smoke.

Each year in Montpelier, youth from Central Vermont New Directions Coalition spend an afternoon chalking the city sidewalks with SFZ in a statewide effort to bring awareness to community members about the dangers of second hand smoke and children.

Approximately 50-75% of children in the United States have detectable levels of cotinine in their bodies, a sign that they have nicotine (a primary ingredient in cigarettes) in their systems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Children who do not smoke and live in smoke-free homes can still be exposed to the dangers of nicotine through secondhand smoke.

 Ivy with guitar
To remind Vermonters who spend time with children to always maintain smoke-free zones, Central Vermont New Directions is distributing “smoke-free zone” bibs and magnetic picture frames as well as decals, stickers and brochures to local day care centers. Staff are presenting puppet shows at daycare centers and teaching the children songs about the risks of secondhand smoke.

The Vermont Department of Health Recommends that smokers stay 50 feet away from entries, vents, windows and doorways in order to protect others from toxic environmental tobacco smoke.

The Gladiator!

The Glad-iator is a retrofitted cigarette machine that sells tiny art for $3 and resides at the Langdon Street Cafe. It features original works by VKAT (Vermont Kids Against Tobacco) and other Vermont artists. On top of the Glad-iator is information about smoking cessation and freebies from the Department of Health. Samples of art in the machine can be found here.

Past Events

Addiction & Recovery: a 6-Week Educational Series

April 15-May 20. Central Vermont New Directions Coalition, in partnership with New Directions for Barre, Friends of Recovery-VT, Community Connections, and Turning Point Center of Central VT, offered a weekly evening event featuring viewings of the popular HBO Addiction Series and presentations by Tony Folland, Jack Hall, Deb Haskins, Patty McCarthy, and Joelen Mulvaney. The evenings were well-attended and offered the community a chance to educate themselves on addiction and recovery processes while enjoying food and discussion.

Town Hall Meeting on The Impact of Alcohol in Vermont

90 youth and adults attended the “Town Hall Meeting ” April 10th at the Vermont State House Cafeteria in Montpelier, sponsored by Central VT New Directions Coalition, Friends of Recovery-VT, VT Drug and Alcohol Coalition, Association of Student Assistance and SAMHSA. After hearing from a panel about teen and young adult alcohol use, treatment, alcohol-related crime in Vermont, and addiction and recovery, participants had an open discussion about underage alcohol use. For every $1 spent on substance abuse in Vermont, approximately 97 cents goes to public programs affected by substance abuse (such as corrections), whereas only 3% goes to prevention and treatment.

  

Middle School Poster Contest

Over 100 students from 6 schools entered the March 2008 "8 out of 10 Vermont Teens Don't Smoke" Poster Contest. The winning entries received gift certificates to local businesses and lots of public recognition.

First Place Winner: Meredith Andrews, 8th Grader at Orchard Valley Waldorf School. Second Place Winner: Beth Maguire, 5th Grader at Union Elementary School. Third Place Winner: Alyssa S. Barrett, 6th Grader at Main Street Middle School.
 
Honorable Mention: Alex Stetter, 5th Grader at Union Elementary School.   Honorable Mention: Zivah Solomon, 6th Grader at Doty Elementary School.

High School Musician Showcase

Substance-free Teen Talent Night at Langdon Street Cafe on Saturday, February 16, 2008 packed the house with a diverse crowd of listeners who enjoyed the talented stylings of young musicians, singer-songwriters, and full bands performing a wide variety of genres including jazz, rock, punk, classical, beatbox, and folk.