Enjoying the sun!

Last week, a few Kids on the Block puppeteers got together to catch up, have fun and hang in the much-awaited sun. Let's hope it comes back soon!

Our volunteer puppeteers are what makes this program so successful! If you're interested in being a puppeteer or know someone who would be a good fit, find out more at the Impact NW website here.

Talking about gangs

Recently, our Kids on the Block Prevention Program at Marysville Elementary hosted Rob Ingram, director for Portland's Office of Youth Violence Prevention. Kids on the Block program supervisor Lynette Jelinek introduced him by reviewing some of the things the students had already learned about gangs and bullying.

Rob spoke to fifth and seventh grade students about how to stay away from the dangers of gangs, drugs and violence. The students had a ton of great questions and learned a lot about what a gang is and isn't, what to do if you're recruited into a gang, and how to keep your distance from going down the wrong path.

As you might know, Portland's gang activity is becoming more of an epidemic. News stories about gang violence like this one and this one are popping up all over the place. As a community, we must stop gang violence and make the choice to stay away from it.

For more information on preventing gang violence, visit:

Tips to stay away from gangs

More tips to stay away from gangs

DoSomething.org

National Gang Center.gov

Move your body!

Did you hear about the new video Beyonce has out? It's all about moving your body and making healthy choices! Check out Let's Move for more information on how to get up and have fun!

Now watch this video and dance along!

Saying NO to gangs!

A Portland man named John Canda is helping to keep kids safe and gangs off the streets by urging parents and the community to start paying attention! Being in a gang leads to nothing but bad things - like getting arrested, getting hooked on drugs or even getting killed.

Portland gang outreach worker urges parents, community leaders to stop gang violence

According to The Oregonian article linked above, "Gang violence response team officers have been called to crime scenes 27 times this year, compared to 20 by the end of April 2010. Last year, the team had 93 call outs for gang-related violence, up from 68 in 2009."

These numbers are really sad. This is why Kids on the Block is teaming up with Marysville Elementary School to educate students about bullying and gangs, and how to stay away from them. With our Prevention Program, we are helping kids become strong leaders instead of future gang members. Did you know that by age 8, bullies are six times more likely to be convicted of a crime by age 24*? By tackling these problems now with the right tools, we're helping to prevent violent and illegal behavior down the road. 

Do you know what to do if someone recruits you into a gang? Read this flyer and share it with your parents to find out more:
http://www.co.washington.or.us/Juvenile/Gangs/upload/ParentsGuide-EN-2.pdf

*Kaiser Family Foundation

Stop bullying!

We wanted to share these two videos that point out how bullying is NOT cool. If someone you know is being bullied, if you're being bullied or even if you're the bully, please report this to an adult. Keep reporting it until something is done. No one deserves to be bullied, ever.

Having fun at KidsFest NW!

Last weekend, Kids on the Block hung out at KidsFest NW and it was super fun! We rode around in go-carts, saw wild animals and listened to music! We also performed a few shows on making Healthy Choices and handed out stickers at our Impact NW booth. Here are some fun photos we wanted to share with you.

This is Brenda and Muffy, next to the information station.



Here is Mike and his good pal Lynette, having a great time!

Here is Nam, handing out flyers and buttons!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Kids on the Block Awareness Program blog!

Here, you'll find contact information to write letters to the kids, updates, resources and more! We're excited to keep in touch with everyone online - we hope you like it!