The Guys Only (GO) Program
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Transcript of The Guys Only (GO) Program
The GO! Program(Guys Only!)
A program from Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities,
in partnership with Norwich University.
What is GO!?An empowerment program for
at-risk young men, grades 7-10, designed to reduce and prevent
substance abuse.
In the Spring of 2007, for 13 weeks,
the GO! Guys met weekly with
Norwich University students and staff,
and community volunteers
to learn about healthy behaviors and challenge themselves both mentally and
physically.
The GO! Guys of 2007 (and volunteers)
ready to go on their retreat
Weeknight activities included:
– Snowshoeing– Indoor rock
climbing– Swimming– Team-building
activities– Workshops on
healthy behaviors
The Program finished with an overnight camping retreat, which included outdoor
rock climbing, rappelling and hiking.
Quotes from the GO! Guys:
“I learned that you don’t have to use your
fists to solve stuff.”
“I learned that you have to work with people to get
things done.”
“I like Go! because we get to do team building activities that helped us get to know
each other.”
“I learned that teamwork, communication, cooperation are the key ingredient[s] to
success.”
“I like GO! because it is fun and it teaches us stuff about
life.”
GO! is an Asset Building Program
The program was developed using the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental
Assets as a framework. These “assets” are like “building blocks” for healthy
student development.(www.search-institute.org)
The GO! Program focused specifically on developing
18 out of the 40 Assets:
Other AdultRelationships
Youthreceivessupport from 3 or more non-parentadults.
Adult Role Models
Parent(s) and other adults
model positive, responsible behavior.
Positive Peer Influence
Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
High Expectations
Both parent(s) and teachers [and other adults] encourage the young person
to do well.
Creative Activities
Young person spends 3 or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or other organizations in the community.
Integrity
Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.
Honesty
Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.”
Responsibility
Young person accepts and
takes personal responsibility.
Restraint
Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use
alcohol or other drugs.
Interpersonal competence
Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.
Cultural Competence
Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different
cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
Resistance Skills
Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Young person seeks to
resolve conflict nonviolently.
Personal Power
Young person feels he or she has control over
“things that happen to me.”
Self-Esteem
Young person reports having a high self-esteem
Sense of Purpose
Young person reports that
“my life has a purpose.”
Positive View of Personal Future
Young person is optimistic about her or his personal
future.
What Do GO! Guys Really Do?
Go! Guys Overcome Challenges
On Norwich University’s Challenge Course
Each of them, took their turn, facing the unique challenges.
They learned to compete with one another respectfully.
They learned about asking for help from an adult.
They took risks to help one another over the rough spots.
And learned how much they really could overcome.
What Do GO! Guys
Really Do?
GO! Guys Learn from
Special Workshops
• Dealing with Anger (Tony Moulton, Northfield Boys & Girls Club)
• Positive and Negative Peer Influence (Suzanne Jolly, Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities)
• Domestic Violence and Healthy Relationships
(Meg Kuhner and Stephen from Battered Women’s Services and Shelter)
Workshops Topics Included:
They GO! Guys work in groups to sort out what are negative, positive and neutral behaviors.
Meg Kuhner and Stephen McArthur teach about healthy relationships and domestic violence.
What Do GO! Guys Really Do?
GO! Guys Eat
and learn about healthy eating
They “do chow” (in the Norwich University dining hall.)
and picnic out on the lawns.
GO! Guys Learn to Work Together to Succeed
They learned to share the heavy burdens,
Even balancing leadership roles amongst their team members.
They trusted their teammates to guide them through precarious situations.
What Do GO! Guys
Really Do?
GO! Guys Swim
at Norwich University’s Pool.
They learn how to take risks…
and how to push themselves safely.
But the GO! Guys Couldn’t Have Done All of This Alone
They needed the guidance and encouragement of the GO! Volunteers to
see their way through.
Many thanks to the GO! Volunteers for their hard work:David Maida, Stephen Dunn, Paul Ciampaglia, Kyle Robidas, Alan Chandler, Frank Steenburn, Jeff Greene, Guy Boucher (not shown) and Jon Hatch (not shown).
Particular thanks to the fearless coordinator:
Major Alan Chandler
GO! never would have happened without his enthusiasm and dedication!
The GO! Program is sponsored by:
• Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities
• Norwich University• PetraCliffs Climbing Center
But needs further sponsorship for 2008.
For more information on the GO! Program
Suzanne Jolly
Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities
(802) 485-8081
Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities is a program of
the Greater Northfield Coalition Council (a non-profit
organization). It is a federally funded program from the
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.