Prevention Services
The agency provides a vast array of programming relating to the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among the youth of the communities. The activities available include:
Project Sunshine
Area elementary schools are given the opportunity to host a representative from Gateway Outreach Center to work with their 5th grade students.
Topics of discussion include awareness of the many problems that can develop with tobacco, alcohol and drugs, developing positive self-esteem, dealing with peer pressure, and handling anger. There is no fee for the programs, and the school administration and teachers establish the schedule for each school.
Speaker's Bureau
Gateway Outreach Center provides staff members to speak at local schools, civic functions, and church groups. Also available are informational pamphlets and movies that cover a wide range of topics. To schedule a program, interested groups should contact the Executive Director at (419) 586-4030.
Head Start Program
The Prevention Specialist provides ongoing educational programming for the youth enrolled in the Head Start Program. Even at this early age, information is disseminated in a positive manner that they can understand and enjoy.
GLAD School
Students remaining after school in the Celina Intermediate School's latch key program are given insight on many topics that deal with drug and alcohol abuse, the negative effects of tobacco use, peer pressure, and anger management. The Prevention Specialist represents the agency and works with these youth.
S.T.A.R. Weekend Retreat
Jr. High youth in the Mercer County Schools are given the opportunity to spend a weekend at the Spiritual Center in Maria Stein under the direction and supervision of staff members from Gateway Outreach Center and approximately 20 additional adult volunteers. Up to 150 youth may attend "Personal Growth" and "How To" Workshops at this retreat. Some of these workshops include: Responsibility, Teen Pregnancy; the Truth about Alcohol and Drugs; Violence in Relationships; Peer Pressure/Self Esteem; Tobacco Horror Show; and Priorities. They can also listen to keynote speakers, dance with music from a disc jockey, attend church services, enjoy excellent meals, and also meet with youth from other schools and share their thoughts about the many topics presented. Energizers, panel discussions, and a closing ceremony witnessed by the parents of those youth attending provides each student the opportunity to carry many positive memories from this weekend's activities. Students are asked to sign a pledge to remain free of alcohol and drugs and be a positive role model to the students within their school system. S.T.A.R. refers to Students Teaching About Resistance.
S.T.O.P. Program
Those high school age students from the schools in Mercer County that are alcohol and drug free have the opportunity to meet monthly with Gateway Outreach Center's Prevention Specialist. Many of these youth attended the S.T.A.R. Weekend retreat as Jr. High age youth and continue with their pledge to be a positive role model and alcohol and drug free.
These youth present programs for area schools/groups and volunteer to civic organizations when contacted. Many of the S.T.O.P. students attend the S.T.A.R. Weekend Retreat and assist with the organization of the weekend as well as provide skits during the seminar. The monthly evening sessions they attend are held at a local church in Celina and last approximately one hour.
Support Groups
The School Districts in Mercer County contact Gateway Outreach Center if they wish to have the Prevention Specialist meet on a regular basis with at-risk students in their Jr. High or High School buildings. The students become a part of this group through their own application or through recommendations from school personnel. Each group is limited to approximately eight students and the students drive the topics for discussion. All costs for this program have been covered through a grant received by the Mercer County Educational Service Center.
Alternative Learning Center Programs
The staff of Gateway Outreach Center has teamed with the administration of the Mercer County Alternative Learning Center, to assist with the growth of positive lifestyle for those attending this educational institution. An assessment is completed for each student to determine any abuse of alcohol or drugs. Those with a substance abuse or anger issue receive education and treatment sessions during their school day that will assist them in living a positive lifestyle.
Red Ribbon Week
The Gateway Outreach Center staff teams with representatives from area schools to promote special programming in late October. Activities include elementary students decorating grocery bags with a theme proclaiming abstinence from using alcohol. The Mercer County Elks judge the decorated bags and award savings bonds to the top three winners. The agency provides a free roller skating party for those 4th grade youth that attend and wear a red ribbon. High school and Junior High students present programs at their home schools proclaiming their support of abstinence from the use of alcohol. The Mercer County Commissioners also sign a proclamation stating their support for the program.
Project Sunshine
Area elementary schools are given the opportunity to host a representative from Gateway Outreach Center to work with their 5th grade students.
Topics of discussion include awareness of the many problems that can develop with tobacco, alcohol and drugs, developing positive self-esteem, dealing with peer pressure, and handling anger. There is no fee for the programs, and the school administration and teachers establish the schedule for each school.
Speaker's Bureau
Gateway Outreach Center provides staff members to speak at local schools, civic functions, and church groups. Also available are informational pamphlets and movies that cover a wide range of topics. To schedule a program, interested groups should contact the Executive Director at (419) 586-4030.
Head Start Program
The Prevention Specialist provides ongoing educational programming for the youth enrolled in the Head Start Program. Even at this early age, information is disseminated in a positive manner that they can understand and enjoy.
GLAD School
Students remaining after school in the Celina Intermediate School's latch key program are given insight on many topics that deal with drug and alcohol abuse, the negative effects of tobacco use, peer pressure, and anger management. The Prevention Specialist represents the agency and works with these youth.
S.T.A.R. Weekend Retreat
Jr. High youth in the Mercer County Schools are given the opportunity to spend a weekend at the Spiritual Center in Maria Stein under the direction and supervision of staff members from Gateway Outreach Center and approximately 20 additional adult volunteers. Up to 150 youth may attend "Personal Growth" and "How To" Workshops at this retreat. Some of these workshops include: Responsibility, Teen Pregnancy; the Truth about Alcohol and Drugs; Violence in Relationships; Peer Pressure/Self Esteem; Tobacco Horror Show; and Priorities. They can also listen to keynote speakers, dance with music from a disc jockey, attend church services, enjoy excellent meals, and also meet with youth from other schools and share their thoughts about the many topics presented. Energizers, panel discussions, and a closing ceremony witnessed by the parents of those youth attending provides each student the opportunity to carry many positive memories from this weekend's activities. Students are asked to sign a pledge to remain free of alcohol and drugs and be a positive role model to the students within their school system. S.T.A.R. refers to Students Teaching About Resistance.
S.T.O.P. Program
Those high school age students from the schools in Mercer County that are alcohol and drug free have the opportunity to meet monthly with Gateway Outreach Center's Prevention Specialist. Many of these youth attended the S.T.A.R. Weekend retreat as Jr. High age youth and continue with their pledge to be a positive role model and alcohol and drug free.
These youth present programs for area schools/groups and volunteer to civic organizations when contacted. Many of the S.T.O.P. students attend the S.T.A.R. Weekend Retreat and assist with the organization of the weekend as well as provide skits during the seminar. The monthly evening sessions they attend are held at a local church in Celina and last approximately one hour.
Support Groups
The School Districts in Mercer County contact Gateway Outreach Center if they wish to have the Prevention Specialist meet on a regular basis with at-risk students in their Jr. High or High School buildings. The students become a part of this group through their own application or through recommendations from school personnel. Each group is limited to approximately eight students and the students drive the topics for discussion. All costs for this program have been covered through a grant received by the Mercer County Educational Service Center.
Alternative Learning Center Programs
The staff of Gateway Outreach Center has teamed with the administration of the Mercer County Alternative Learning Center, to assist with the growth of positive lifestyle for those attending this educational institution. An assessment is completed for each student to determine any abuse of alcohol or drugs. Those with a substance abuse or anger issue receive education and treatment sessions during their school day that will assist them in living a positive lifestyle.
Red Ribbon Week
The Gateway Outreach Center staff teams with representatives from area schools to promote special programming in late October. Activities include elementary students decorating grocery bags with a theme proclaiming abstinence from using alcohol. The Mercer County Elks judge the decorated bags and award savings bonds to the top three winners. The agency provides a free roller skating party for those 4th grade youth that attend and wear a red ribbon. High school and Junior High students present programs at their home schools proclaiming their support of abstinence from the use of alcohol. The Mercer County Commissioners also sign a proclamation stating their support for the program.
