Peer Education & Awareness
Provide opportunities for youth input on various topics and provide educational opportunities for kids of all ages.
Current Initiatives:
A. Westport Police Youth Collaborations
Dodge-A-Cop: In partnership with the Staples Teen Awareness Group (TAG) and Westport PD, this annual dodgeball tournament brings local police and Westport high school students together to join forces on the court and raise money for charity. Teams consist of 5 students plus 1 officer, fostering more communication and a better sense of community.
November 2016 Dodge-A-Cop: https://06880danwoog.com/2016/11/22/kids-dodge-cops-at-staples/
Capture-A-Cop: Based on the enormous popularity of Dodge-A-Cop, this annual Fall event brings local middle school students together with Westport police for a friendly game of Capture-The-Flag on Jesup Green. The purpose is to help build relationships between our students and police through friendly non-enforcement interaction.
B. iMentor Program:
High school students work with younger students to help them understand various aspects of Internet safety including Digital Footprint, Cyber Bullying, and Screen Time. All Westport Youth Commission iMentors are required to complete an online training through Netsmartz. Presentations are given each year to 6th grade students at Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Middle School.
C. Real Talk:Presentation & Q/A by Staples Senior Members in partnership with the Staples Library to discuss their experiences with the college search and application process.
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D. James S. Bacharach Award
The Westport Youth Commission bestows this annual award to a graduating Westport Senior(s) in recognition of their service to the Westport Community. The award is named after James S. Bacharach who founded the original Westport Youth Council in 1972, which eventually became the Westport Youth Commission.
E. Marketing and Awareness
Peer Education works toward soliciting information and feedback from peers, parents, and the community with regard to issues facing Westport's young population. They have also served as a youth voice for other Town projects.