Everyone has a story about the after-Cruise Nite activities, and while theyre usually interesting, they are rarely positive. Positive Pressure, UNK, Century 21, and the Kearney Police Department are working to change that through the Be Safe, Be Smart task force, and so far theyve already heard of results. Mary Jo Chatelain, who owns property on 25th Street, said, Last year, crowds saw the Be Safe, Be Smart task force message on signs up and down the affected streets, reinforcing the idea that everyones safety is the prime concern behind the effort. I believe strongly that the work of Community Partners made the after-Cruise Night gatherings safer last year and that effect will snowball with their involvement each year. Community Partners has the unique ability to draw together the players needed to address a large challenge like the crowds drawn by the post-Cruise Night gatherings. Landlords, law enforcement, city government representatives from each group were able to communicate directly, and that wouldnt have happened without Community Partners. The task force is building upon the work that

was done last year. Theyre preparing yard signs, door hangers, and t-shirts; conducting listening sessions with community members to generate new and innovative solutions; and sharing tips on the Positive Pressure web page and in the local papers. In addition, theyre airing radio and TV ads that discuss a new city ordinance in Kearney. While it was previously unlawful to consume alcohol on

public property, it is now also unlawful to possess an open container of alcohol on city right-of-way or public property, including sidewalks. This is another new tool that will help law enforcement deal with after-Cruise Nite activities. Wondering what some of the groups tips are for having a safe Cruise Nite? Dont assume someone else will call the police. If you see

something, say something. If you plan to drink alcohol, do so responsibly and be sure to pack plenty of water to stay hydrated. Parents, if your child is underage, adult supervision is suggested. Talk to your young adults about their plans and remind them to Be Safe, Be Smart. For a complete list of tips for having a safe Cruise Nite, visit PositivePressure.org/CruiseNite.

July 2015 Annual Fund Campaign 2nd Step at YMCA Be Safe, Be Smart

Be Safe, Be Smart Task Force Targets After-Cruise Nite Activities

Bu alo County Community Partners Contact Information

Visit bcchp.org/board for complete board member listing or bcchp.org/contact for complete staff listing and contact form.

General Information308-865-2284 info@bcchp.org

Denise Zwiener, Executive Director 308-865-2280 dzwiener@bcchp.org

Nikki Gausman, Board Chair308-237-2599nikki@safecenter.org

Kearney Police Chief Dan Lynch discusses after-Cruise Nite activities with local landlords, property owners, and citizens.

Attendance was high at the third annual Community Building Block Party. This year, we had more partners who brought more exciting activities, from whitewater demos to kids yoga to tug of war and more. We want to thank our sponsors: First National Bank and Hy-Vee, as well as Kearney Park and Recreation and CHI Health Good Samaritan for letting us partner with the Community Olympics. Also, thanks to all our partners:

Kearney Crossfit Kearney Family YMCA Kearney Whitewater

Association New Life Assembly Sweet Success & Just

Breathe Yoga Tri-City Storm

Another new addition was our Tell Your Story Coloring Book, which featured hand-drawn images by Youth Coordinator Mark Foradori. Based on the anti-

coloring book concept, the images are incomplete, with space for you to fill in your own interpretations. For your own copy of the coloring book, visit bcchp.org/blockparty. To date, weve raised nearly $87,000 of our $155,000 thanks to support from across Buffalo County. To learn more about our campaign, what we do, and how funds are spent, and more, visit bcchp.org/campaign. Or, if youre interested in partnering with us to build

a healthier Buffalo County, you can make a donation at bcchp.org/donate.

Community Partners Block Party Kicks Off Campaign with a Bang

Adults and youth hopped on the bike blender to whip up free smoothies for everyone at the block party!

YMCA Teaches Social/Emotional Skills with Second StepSince 1995, when Daniel Golemans landmark book called Emotional Intelligence was first published, the importance of emotional intelligence in helping both children and adults to become happy and successful has become a talked-about concept. Over the years, a number of schools throughout the country have engaged in social emotional learning (SEL) programs to teach emotional intelligence. Numerous studies have shown that the most effective of these programs use age appropriate lessons that teach students specific skills like self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and cooperation. When they are taught and applied throughout the school and the school year, these lessons shape the entire school culture and can help students to have a more enjoyable and successful school experience. The Kearney Family YMCA Child Development Center, in cooperation with United Against Violence, powered by Buffalo County Community Partners, has offered just such SEL instruction for pre-school students during the past year using a program called Second Step. The Second Step Early Learning curriculum provides lesson plans and tools with which the Ys teachers instruct the students in basic skills for learning like listening closely and focusing attention along with skills for working together like empathy, emotion management, friendship skills and problem solving.

Second Step definitely gives our kids the tools they need to become aware of their emotions and how emotions relate to their behavior, said the YMCAs Child Care Director Sue Klein. Once our students learn the concepts, just a little prompting from the teachers is all that is needed to help the students refocus their behavior in positive ways.

Its easy to see why teaching these skills to young students will help lead to success. By helping children work through emotional issues, SEL helps children succeed both socially and academically. Just like adults, children who spend the day wrestling with unresolved emotional issues have little attention for anything else. When students and teachers, together, acknowledge the need to identify and work through emotionally or social distressing situations, they can create an

atmosphere where children are better ready to learn. With support from the CHI Mission and Ministry Fund, United Against Violence powered by Buffalo County Community Partners supplies Second Step curriculum materials to several schools and community-based pre-schools in Buffalo County. Our goal is to prevent youth violence by helping young students learn to identify their emotions and manage their behaviors in peaceful and cooperative ways from the very beginning. For information and to learn about how your school can get involved, call United Against Violence at 308-865-2290.

James Barth & Yvonne Deyle-BarthDr. George & Roxanne BascomBuckle, Inc.Dr. Mark & Dr. Kim BushRichard & Barbara BushElnida & Dale ChandlerKelly & Michelle ChristensenCity of KearneyDora DayBrenda DunkelBeth Ernst & Dana ErnstJim & Marsha FairbanksFirst National BankHeartland BankBob & Artie Hobbs

Dr. Richard & Kathie HranacKearney ClinicKearney Eye InstituteKearney Orthopedic and Sports MedicineBeverly J. KimballDavid & Cathie KingsleyDennis & Connie LarsenKevin & Joan LindensteinMarion McDermottDuncan & Janice McGregorNeil & Denise MillerSherry MorrowNew West Orthopaedic & Sports RehabPrincipal Financial

Earl & Jo Ann RademacherRegion 3 Behavioral Health ServicesRemax Executives-Laurie RiesslandDonald & Marion RichmondGilbert & Belinda RudeCarol Schwarz

Thank You to Our Donors:

If you would like to partner with us through a financial donation, you may:

Contact Denise Zwiener at 308-865-2280 or dzwiener@bcchp.org

Donate on our website, bcchp.org, by clicking the blue Donate button.

YMCAs Child Care Director Sue Klein presents the 2nd Step curriculum to youth through a puppet show.

PO Box 1466Kearney, NE 68848

We would like to thank CHI Health Good Samaritan for providing printing and mailing services for our newsletter.

Training in Intervention ProcedureS is a responsible beverage server training approved by the Nebraska

Liquor Control Commission. Contact positivepressure@bcchp.org to register.

Check bcchp.org/tips for future classes.

Coalition Connection

Were currently working to build another bike blender. If you or your organization would be interested in sponsoring the project, please contact Kate Hannon at srts@bcchp.org.

Our revitalization plan is kicking off with key informant interviews and focus groups. Stay up to date on our work by liking and following us at facebook.com/ABCKearney ortwitter.com/ABCKearney.

YAB is excited to welcome up to 11 new members this fall. Th e group will be focused on empowering Buff alo County youth

to become involved youth violence and bullying prevention, substance abuse prevention and the prevention of distracted driving in our communities.

Cruise Nite is coming up, and were working to make the after-Cruise Nite activities safer. Visit our website at positivepressure.org to get tips and resources to Be Safe, Be Smart on Cruise Nite.

Save the Date! Join us September 21 (International Peace Day) at the

Merryman Performing Arts Center for the Picturing Peace reception and a celebration of local violence prevention champions. For more information, visit bcchp.org/united.

Upcoming Classes: 7/21, 6-10 p.m. - On-Premise Sales8/16, 6-10 p.m. - On-Premise Sales9/10, 6-10 p.m. - Off -Premise Sales