March 29, 9 pm
Right now, some of the best people I know are playing wacky, life-sized games out at a campground after a day full of learning about prevention, participating in team building and gaining the skills and knowledge they need to LEAD this summer at the Georgia Teen Institute.
This is the first time I haven't been staying overnight at a GTI Staff Development Weekend since 1994. It feels weird, but it's also good. The next generation of GTI leaders is growing, developing and preparing to make GTI what it should be to thrive for the next 10, 20 or 30 years.
I got to be a part of camp today for about 3 hours - to lead some team building & facilitation training and the conversation about why prevention is so important to GTI. And wow, was I impressed with the youth and young adults that we have joining us this summer! A super diverse, super engaged, super talented group of young people who are coming together this weekend and again for nine days in June to create change across Georgia.
Their leadership of middle and high school students and their Youth Action Teams at GTI this summer will create ripples, making big and small changes to communities in Georgia as it relates to underage drinking prevention, suicide prevention, improving mental health and wellness and so much more.
I couldn't be with them this weekend, but I CAN help make sure the funds are there to bring them all back together in June. It costs about $2,000 per staff member to train, house, feed, clothe and supply them for the 12 days of SDW1 and GTI. They don't pay a dime -- and they volunteer their time.
As we're facing federal cuts and uncertain funding in the future, every bit we can offset now helps us support these young people and sets our program up for success this June and for many more to come.
I would be honored if you'd celebrate my 32nd year with GTI by supporting our more than 50 staff who will be leading this summer with a tax-deductible donation.
Thank you for believing in these young people and making a difference to communities across the state!
**Georgia Teen Institute is a program of GUIDE, Inc.**
