Community Connections
Shining a local light on:
Teen Awareness Group
Proudly serving:
Learn more about their charity:
Community Connections
Community Connections shines a light on local charities whose compassion, service, and dedication strengthen the fabric of our community. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire others and help the spirit of giving spread throughout our towns.
Under the spotlight today: Teen Awareness Group
An interview with Elaine Daignault, Teen Awareness Group
How do you brighten our community?
The Teen Awareness Group is a youth-run 501 (c) (3) at Staples High School, advised by Westport Human Services, that brings mental health and substance use awareness programs to the community. We are developing student leaders by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to lead and engage others through annual events and by representing their peers on the Westport Prevention Coalition. TAG meets every Monday night during the school year, organizing, funding, and participating in programs to enhance student connection, help them find resources, and reduce the stigma of addiction and mental health.
Who do you serve in our community?
Youth, Parents, and Families through interactive advocacy campaigns and activities.
What are you most proud of?
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Teen Awareness Group (“TAG”) hosts an annual GET REAL DAY at Staples High School. TAG's Get Real Day challenges students to "get real" about mental health and substance misuse. Each year, TAG students research science-based facts about addiction and mental illness, invite individuals with lived experience to share their stories, and encourage students to have honest discussions about their experiences to raise awareness of available resources and reduce stigma through an all-school assembly and wellness fair.
What are some of your future impact goals?
One of our future impact goals is to ensure that children experiencing crisis receive immediate effective intervention and counsel, emergency shelter, medical and psychological care, and connection to support services they require; Furthermore, to provide children the individualized medical, therapeutic, educational and family services necessary to stabilize, heal from trauma and achieve developmental gains; and to maintain a strong community awareness and presence by providing prevention and outreach services that give children, youth, and the adults with whom they interact the information and skills needed to identify and address problems before they are in crisis;
Local-Insta thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Community Connections series possible!
Celebrating the charities that make our community stronger.
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