News
Community
The founders of NEO — a youth outreach organization in Grass Valley with a focus on healthy choices — will showcase the group's accomplishments at a national conference for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
NEO coordinators and cofounders Halli Ellis and Lynn Skrukrud will be leading the presentation for about 200 youth from all over the United States at the conference that starts Monday in National Harbor, Md. They are hoping their presentation will inspire others to take action.
Nearly 2,000 people are expected to attend the conference.
The workshop is based on NEO's drug and alcohol prevention strategies that were developed in Grass Valley and will include an overview of the NEO organization, event planning, information on root causes of drug abuse and fun activities including a beauty walk.
“It's our turn to give back and, we hope, inspire others to take what they learn and apply it to their communities,” said Ellis, who has worked with the Lyman Gilmore After School program.
Ellis and Skrukrud first traveled to the CADCA conference in 2009. The experience sparked a goal to share their message on a national level.
“We have a unique and innovative approach to (substance abuse) prevention, and I think that's why we were chosen to present,” Skrukrud said.
NEO strives to empower young people to make healthy choices through positive alternative activities. Last year, NEO hosted more than 80 events and activities, with nearly 7,000 people participating.
NEO is an offshoot of the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County. Five coalition members will attend the conference, including Program Director Ariel Lovett, Program Coordinator Shelley Rogers and member Don Besse.
Ellis is a junior at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she is studying sociology. Skrukrud is a senior at Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe, where she will be receiving her degree in management studies this spring.
The two started NEO almost four years ago when they were 19 years old, with the help of the coalition and Friday Night Live.
“We created NEO to be a new way of thinking, where young people identify the influences in their lives and create positive peer groups through healthy alternative activities,” Skrukrud said.
This article was first published at www.ncneo.com.
ooo
NEO coordinators and cofounders Halli Ellis and Lynn Skrukrud will be leading the presentation for about 200 youth from all over the United States at the conference that starts Monday in National Harbor, Md. They are hoping their presentation will inspire others to take action.
Nearly 2,000 people are expected to attend the conference.
The workshop is based on NEO's drug and alcohol prevention strategies that were developed in Grass Valley and will include an overview of the NEO organization, event planning, information on root causes of drug abuse and fun activities including a beauty walk.
“It's our turn to give back and, we hope, inspire others to take what they learn and apply it to their communities,” said Ellis, who has worked with the Lyman Gilmore After School program.
Ellis and Skrukrud first traveled to the CADCA conference in 2009. The experience sparked a goal to share their message on a national level.
“We have a unique and innovative approach to (substance abuse) prevention, and I think that's why we were chosen to present,” Skrukrud said.
NEO strives to empower young people to make healthy choices through positive alternative activities. Last year, NEO hosted more than 80 events and activities, with nearly 7,000 people participating.
NEO is an offshoot of the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County. Five coalition members will attend the conference, including Program Director Ariel Lovett, Program Coordinator Shelley Rogers and member Don Besse.
Ellis is a junior at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she is studying sociology. Skrukrud is a senior at Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe, where she will be receiving her degree in management studies this spring.
The two started NEO almost four years ago when they were 19 years old, with the help of the coalition and Friday Night Live.
“We created NEO to be a new way of thinking, where young people identify the influences in their lives and create positive peer groups through healthy alternative activities,” Skrukrud said.
This article was first published at www.ncneo.com.
ooo
