Substance  Abuse Services
for Clayton County, Inc.
102 Sandpit Road
PO Box 970
Elkader, Iowa 52043-0970
 

A  private non-profit organization serving the people of Clayton County, Iowa.

 Email: 
sascc@sas4cc.com

Phone: 
563-245-1546

FAX:    
563-245-1612

https://www.quitnow.net/iowa/

http://thegazette.com/2011/12/28/health-care-providers-recommend-quitline-iowa/

http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/12/28/medical-professionals-making-more-referrals-to-quitline-iowa/

CELEBRATE MENTORING MONTH

 The eleventh annual National Mentoring Month is being celebrated during the month of January in communities throughout the nation. The goals of National Mentoring Month are to raise awareness of mentoring in its various forms, to recruit individuals to become involved in formal mentoring programs, and to promote the rapid growth of mentoring.

Mentoring provides a positive older role model for youth.  A 1995 Private Ventures study showed that mentored youth gain the following benefits:

• improved relationships with other family members
• a better attitude towards school
• are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
• report a decrease in violent behaivor.

Mentors also benefit from the match; they have a chance to develop new relationships, model positive behaviors for youth and improve their own communication skills. 

Currently two schools in the area offer mentoring programs.  Guidance counselors Brandie Erickson and Carmen Stenger facilitate the program at Starmont, which is relatively new and partially funded through Prevention through Mentoring. They have 12 high school students and 2 adults matched with upper elementary and middle school students.

At Central Elkader, mentoring has existed under the guidance of Jane Metcalf for the past 20 years.  This year, ‘Buddies&Pals’ has expanded with the assistance of Special Education teacher Katie Allman and support from Adam Sadewasser of Substance Abuse Services for Clayton County. Currently, Central has 12 high school students paired with elementary and middle school students.  

Mentors meet weekly with their mentees doing a variety of activities such as:  playing board games, talking, and doing physical activities .  Matches are made based on the similar interests of the youth and the older mentor.  Youth in the program do not have to meet any special criteria other than to live in the county.

For more information on how to become involved in mentoring, contact Adam Sadewasser (563) 245-1546.      

http://www.iowamentoring.org/

http://www.helpingservices.org/Mentoring/index.shtml

http://www.mpmn.org/Home.aspx