PHOTOS: Local Kids Join for Leadership, Team Building Night

Friday night's DanversCARES/TriTown Community Council Youth Night at the YMCA.

Local youth leaders from Danvers, Topsfield, Middleton, and Boxford organized a successful Community Council Youth Night at the Danvers YMCA on Friday, April 27.  "The night consisted of youth leadership, team building, and social activities designed to be fun and educational for the youth participants," according to Jason Verhoosky of DanversCARES.  In January, DanversCARES began mentoring the Tri-Town Prevention Coalition, as part of the Drug Free Communities Mentor/Mentee program.  DanversCARES meets on the first Monday of every month at Danvers High School. The meetings are open to both residents and businesses in the community. As a prevention coalition, DanversCARES seeks to foster a community environment in which youth and families …

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Patch Facts

5 Things to Start the Day, April 27

Your daily guide to the events and happenings in town.

Welcome to 5 Things, your daily resource for community events, happenings in town, and little tidbits of information. Here are five things to start the day, April 27, in Danvers: 1. Happy Arbor Day: This morning, Danvers Patch is heading to the Riverside Elementary School to find out how the kids are celebrating Arbor Day. Check back over the weekend for our photo gallery from the events. 2. Tomorrow the Danvers Police Department will be participating in the DEA's Fourth Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Event from 10 am - 2 pm. Officers will be on-site at the Police Department to collect any unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs. 3. Student Artwork on Display: If you haven't done so yet, be sure to visit the student …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need To Know Today, April 6

Your daily guide to the events and happenings in town.

Welcome to 5 Things, your daily resource for community events, happenings in town, and little tidbits of information. Here are five things you need to know today, April 6, in Danvers: 1. Attention Danvers business owners: Did you miss participating in the first Patch Local Business Forum survey? Well, it’s not too late to join the forum for this month’s survey. Let your voice be heard (anonymously) on a variety of important topics by signing up here. We're hoping your opinions will help promote conversation and make our community stronger. 2. Did you know the Board of Selectmen has declared one week in April as "Above the Influence Week?" DanversCARES sent us today's 5 Things Photo, and shared the news on their Facebook page. 3. We heard …

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Meal Donations Needed for Strengthening Families Program

DanversCARES needs volunteers during the month of April.

DanversCARES, a community coalition dedicated to supporting youth and families in making healthy decisions, is looking for restaurants to donate family-friendly meals for its Strengthening Families program held Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Maple Street Church. Meals are needed for the final four sessions of the program during the month of April. Strengthening Families is 12-week course in which families of children ages 6-11 come together once a week to have dinner, learn new family communication tips, and share parenting successes. Unlike classes designed just for parents, this program combines learning as a family unit.  Kids have fun, make new friends, and want to come back every week. Parents connect with other parents and hear…

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DanversCARES Mentors Tri-Town Community

DanversCARES, a community coalition, is participating in the Drug Free Communities Mentor/Mentee program.

As part of the Drug Free Communities Mentor/Mentee program, DanversCARES is currently mentoring the Tri-Town Prevention Coalition.  At the joint meeting this past Monday to introduce the communities, Community Liaison Jason Veroosky, said the groups discussed best practices, answered questions, and formed solid working relationships. DanversCARES meets on the first Monday of every month at Danvers High School. The meetings are open to both residents and businesses in the community. As a prevention coalition, DanversCARES seeks to foster a community environment in which youth and families make healthy decisions.

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DanversCARES Recognized for Campaign, Verhoosky to Speak at National Conference

Thomson Communications was recognized for their campaign efforts with DanversCARES at last week's Publicity Club of New England's 2011 Bell Ringer Awards Ceremony in Boston.

DanversCARES was recognized at the Publicity Club of New England's 2011 Bell Ringer Awards Ceremony in Boston last week on behalf of their campaign program with Thomson Communications, a Middleton based strategic communications firm.  The collaboration received recognition for it's "progressive and creative approach." The campaign was created to raise awareness about alcohol access in the home, targeting young teens.  "Danvers is a typical Massachusetts community with a staggering 85 percent of its high school students indicating it is easy/very easy to access alcohol at home,” said David Thomson, president of Thomson Communications, in a prepared statement.  “What makes this town different is the presence of DanversCARES and the approach …

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"My Anti-Drug Is..." Contest Winners Announced [IMAGES]

DanversCARES announced three freshmen from Danvers High School winners of the spring poster contest at their June meeting.

The third DanversCARES poster contest awarded three Danvers High School freshmen, Annabelle Krupcheck, Alison Barker, and Hannah Matt, each of whom created a poster to depict their "anti-drug" message.  The contest was created during the spring semester last year for students enrolled in the freshman health class with Ms. Hickox, as part of the Anti-Drug curriculum at Danvers High School. Since then the contest has been done once a semester.  The contestants were judged on their overall message, creativity, tips offered, healthy decisions, and overall presentation, according to Jason Verhoosky, Community Liaison and Youth Program Coordinator for DanversCARES. The winners were chosen by the Danvers High School curriculum staff and …

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