Prevention of substance use and gambling disorders is NOT simply about telling kids not to do these things. Effective prevention starts with identifying what children and youth in the community need, and then meeting that need with research-backed strategies. Risk & Protective Factors: The Foundation for Effective Prevention Risk factors are those things that increase…
Kids Kamp Continues! Leaders of Future Generations Embrace Change and Practice Resiliency This year has been filled with unprecedented challenges. At Compass Mark, we value resilience and weave this principle into each of our programs. This summer our Leaders of Future Generation program participants fully lived this value during their week at camp. In lieu…
An old-fashioned balance scale serves as a good metaphor for how we do addiction prevention. When our prevention specialists are out in the community, we’re asked some predictable questions about our work. Q: Are most kids using opioids? A: Definitely not. In both Lebanon & Lancaster Counties, less than 1% of kids have ever tried…
The Advocacy Team at Compass Mark created a packet containing three lessons with corresponding worksheets for students and families to enjoy at home. The lessons taught on personal strengths, time management, and goal setting. Even the cover page offered a chance to color and cut out your own bookmark! The packets were printed and dispersed…
A few months ago, a 17-year-old high school senior and her nine-year-old brother came home from their Lancaster County school and their mom wasn’t there. Kira (not her real name) and Michael had faced this circumstance before, so they went on with their day—snacks, homework, bedtime and getting up for school the following day. Another…
The springtime weather is so beautiful as I write this post, it’s as if Mother Nature were trying to make up for all the cold days of rain. I get to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m very grateful. With a slower pace of life, I’ve been noticing all the helpers in…
LFG Students Leaders of Future Generations (LFG) is a school-based prevention program offered by Compass Mark for middle and high school youth who exhibit leadership potential. Students, mentors, Compass Mark facilitators, and youth advocates meet together for 12 weeks during their afterschool program to explore topics such as communication, personal values, managing conflict, and leadership….
Our Family Services Advocate, Lindsey Ober, participated in the event’s featured panel; Women in the Justice System. The Maze of Injustice showcased in Ronks, PA was held by the Vera Institute of Justice. The maze was created on a 3-acre cornfield to symbolize the challenges that individuals face while navigating our criminal justice system. Displayed within…
Compass Mark’s mission is to prevent addiction through education, skill-building, and community mobilization. On Monday, October 7th, Compass Mark hosted two of the original Freedom Writers, Tony Becerra, and Cynthia Ray, to share their stories with our community. The night was filled with messages of inspiration, empowerment, and resiliency. We celebrated both the 20th…