LIONS PROJECT QUEST
	YOUTH AT RISK EDUCATION
It is up to the teachers, parents and the adolescents’ friends to educate our youth of the at-risk factors that are out there in today’s world. Our local schools have a state and federal mandate to provide this education to its students on an age appropriate basis. The local schools “Safety” and “Wellness” committees evaluate and implement the @ risk educational programs available and select programs that address their students needs on the at risk behaviors patterns recognized. There are many commercial venders that offer educational programs to assist teachers in presenting materials to the students on risky behavior. We encourage every Lions Club to contact their local school district and find out what safety and wellness programs they are utilizing to educate our youth about conflict resolution, anti-bullying, substance abuse, sexual irresponsibility and depression. If they are not addressing all of the at risk issues that face our youth, offer to sponsor one. Tell them about our award winning Lions Project Quest. This award winning program is being used throughout the world and in several school districts here in New York. The program is designed for Kindergarten through High School with individual age appropriate sections to help students gain positive attitudes and important life skills through easy to use materials utilized by teachers. Lions Quest addresses the fundamental issues facing schools today, by helping young people develop strong character; healthy, positive relationships with parents and peers; and productive problem-solving skills. The Lions Quest program is broken into three segments. These are “Skills for Growing” (Grades K-5); “Skills for Adolescence” (Grades 6-8); and “Skills for Action” (Grades 9-12). When the Lions Quest programs are fully implemented they address 30 of the 40 assets that are necessary for positive youth development and cover all eleven of the key elements…where DARE covers only two. Quest provides schools with the best of what research and experience tell us are sound programs for positive @ risk behavior prevention. However, it is getting the Quest Program outline information into each school’s hands for evaluation that needs to be addressed. We encourage every Lions Club to check with the local schools and verify that they are providing the @ RISK education utilizing the best programs available. Then find the names of the appropriate teachers/administrators in their local schools and request Sandy O’Lear of LCI to send an information package on Quest to its local School Principal and their Safety & Wellness Committees.