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PAGE 2 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN August 29, 2019

CANTON

Registration for BLOCK programs open

Registration is now under way for the ” Youth & Teen Center.
Lead #LikeAGirl, Be A #ModelMan, and We watch participants Interested future candidates are
Youth Advisory Council Programs for the encouraged to apply through The
2019-2020 school year. grow into confident, B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center website
These free programs are available at www.canton-mi.org/146 and must be
through The B.L.O.C.K. Youth & Teen well-spoken, and submitted by Sept. 13. Program space is
Center and offer development in critical understanding community members. limited, so organizers encourage appli-
life skills, such as self-confidence, inter- cants to apply early.
personal communication skills, managing Local volunteers and financial support
stress and leadership skills. is designed to grow six core values, includ- a difference in their community. Members have helped these programs expand their
Lead #LikeA Girl was developed in ing: integrity, empathy, compassion, inner participate in community service projects, positive programming opportunities.
2015 by The B.L.O.C.K. Youth & Teen strength, courage, and respect. Monthly lead special events, participate in local Some current and past sponsors include:
Center. It is a nine-month program that one-day themed workshops take place decision making, and award annual grants MASCO, Community Financial Credit
enables participants to challenge them- from September through May and are to organizations that benefit Canton Youth. Union, Eastern Michigan University, and
selves, discuss relevant issues that young designed to inform program participants “Each year it has been an amazing the Community Foundation for Southeast
girls face with their peers, and foster rela- ages 11-15 about community and govern- experience getting to work with such a Michigan. Sponsorship opportunities are
tionships with female role models within ment resources through tours and guest bright and talented group of young peo- still available for individuals, businesses,
the community. This award-winning pro- speakers. In addition, program curricu- ple,” said Program Coordinator Laura and foundations to assist in the develop-
gram serves a diverse group of young lum encourages participants to interact Mortier. “We watch participants grow into ment of future sessions. To become
women ages 11-15 and is designed to and foster relations with public servants confident, well-spoken, and understand- involved, contact Mortier at (734) 394-5376
change the way that these participants, and community “heroes,” who embody ing community members.” or email lmortier@canton-mi.org.
and the community-at-large, think about what it means to Be A #Modelman. Program participants must meet one of The B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center
what it means to Lead #LikeAGirl…and The Canton Youth Advisory Council the following criteria in order to apply: is located on the third floor of the Canton
ultimately live #LikeAGirl. asserts itself as an influential group of reside in Canton or attend a Canton school Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton
Be A #ModelMan, established in 2016, area high school students who truly make or be a current member of The B.L.O.C.K Center Road in Canton.
Warning the habit, the Michigan Schools district, and appreci- pared to 2015-16. Increases in QuitLogix® is an evidence-
National Jewish Health
Department of Health and
ates teachers at Discovery
39 of the state's counties ranged
Human Services (MDHHS) is Middle School, starting around from 29 percent to 118 percent. based, comprehensive tobacco
FROM PAGE 1 partnering with the National sixth grade, who factually told Jonik, for his part, believes cessation program that pro-
Jewish Health and eight other of tobacco risks. teachers and parents need to vides personalized coaching,
are also well aware of states on a tobacco cessation “Teachers don't necessarily be honest about health risks of print and online resources to
increased tobacco and nicotine program designed to help teens censor themselves. They speak smoking. “You're not educated help people quit smoking or
health risks. Registered nurse who want to stop using tobacco freely,” Panera Bread staffer when you're making these deci- using tobacco products.
Charlene Jones, also a Canton products, including electronic Jonik said of that time in his sions,” Jonik said of some National Jewish Health cur-
resident, said of the latest non- cigarettes and vapes. Nearly 5 schooling. He saw a diseased adults who he believes are rently operates the quitline for
tobacco nicotine delivery sys- million teens across the U.S. pig lung, adding “You get a visu- overprotective of young people. 16 states and numerous health
tem, vaping “It's still damaging are vaping and using tobacco. al representation of what your “We know more teens are plans. The program has helped
to their lungs and you're devel- The new My Life, My Quit body would look like.” vaping and using tobacco and thousands of adults quit using
oping a habit that's not good,” program includes educational Through the My Life, My may need help quitting,” said tobacco and has a nearly 40
she said. materials designed for teens Quit program, teens work with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS percent participant quit rate
Jones, who works for IHA in and created through focus a coach who listens and under- chief medical executive and for people who receive coach-
Ann Arbor, agrees it's best for groups with teens, subject mat- stands their needs, provides chief deputy director for health, ing and medications, one of the
teens to never smoke. She and ter experts and community personalized support and helps in a statement. “This new pro- highest quit rates in the coun-
other health care professionals stakeholders. Teens can text or them build a quit plan to gram combines best practices try.
support programs to end tobac- call a toll-free number - 855-891- become free from nicotine. for tobacco cessation adapted More than 140,000 Michigan
co use. 9989 - or they can visit The School Health Survey to teens to include vaping and residents have used the
“It's still chemicals you're MyLifeMyQuit.com for real- System, Michigan Profile for new ways for teens to reach Quitline for adults or the online
putting in your body,” she time coaching. Healthy Youth, has shown an quit coaches using real-time coaching program to help them
added. Jonik graduated from the escalating rate of youth use of text messaging and online in their journey toward a tobac-
In an effort to help teens quit Plymouth-Canton Community e-cigarettes in 2017-18 com- chat.” co-free life.