E rin Davis is the project coordinator for Project Connect Prevention (PCP). “We are directly under the STAND umbrella. . . STAND has recovery treatment and then our Community Resource Center.” Project Connect Prevention is designed to assess risky behaviors and implement preventive services for youth and young adults. “We use evidence-based practices such as Color it Real and Thinking for a Change.” She explains: “Color it Real is a culturally relevant, age-appropriate six-session prevention program curriculum, designed for our overarching goal of decreasing risky sexual behaviors, substance use and perceived stress levels in youth and young adults ages thirteen through twenty-four, using the hip hop culture.” Hip hop—as in music? “Often youth do not listen to the lyrics of the music, and so we're creating a ‘Rap Battle,’ and the youth are encouraged to not only listen to the lyrics but understand what they're saying, and seeing
how, subconsciously, that provokes them to engage further in risky behaviors.” She adds, “Part of the curriculum is designed to empower our youth and young adults, so we use things like recognizing and controlling triggers for risky sexual situations, making healthy choices as far as what we intake and what we deliver. Color it Real also assists with social skills and assertiveness and the coping mechanisms needed.” “Thinking for a Change is a 6 to 25-lesson cognitive behavior change curriculum that focuses on cognitive restructuring, social skill development, and conflict resolution for our population.” How do you reach out? “With PCP, we've served over 400 youths so far, in after-school sessions, in school sessions inside of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), as well as in our office here off of Covington highway.” And not just large groups but individual education as well. Whether outreach or a student calling in needing advice, “We have conversations daily with our youth.” Erin shares, “I've always wanted to give back to my community, and it was all about finding ways to do that. I started as a pharmacy technician, and I'd be there for ten years, but it wasn't enough. I dealt with a nonprofit based out of North Carolina, and we dealt with all the
poverty-stricken community.” But she realized it needed to start with the younger generation.
Connecting with Youth Erin Davis, Project Coordinator
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