Blog Archive
Starting in the fall, Pelham Together social work interns brought girls together in grades 5-8 to meet monthly to address a variety of topics that can cause struggles. The series began with a screening of the super popular Taylor Swift movie, which was a huge draw! The girls had a terrific time singing all the words at the Pelham Picture House, eating popcorn, and leaving with some fun goody bags.
On Friday, April 4th, a group of teens from the Pelham Together Youth Council went to the Siwanoy Town Hall and led the 5th grade through conversations and activities about their experiences at Siwanoy and the transition to Pelham Middle School. The teens split the grade into smaller groups and facilitated discussions of their own experiences, as well as questions from the 5th graders.
The Westchester Children’s Association hosted a Youth Mental Heath Roundtable on April 3rd. The event was sponsored by Morgan Stanley. Laura Caruso, Executive Director of Pelham Together, was invited to participate.
During a heartwarming visit to the Town Hall, Pelham Together club members from Pelham Middle School joined the senior citizens and decorated cookies together, fostering new relationships. The seniors worked with the students, sharing memories and good laughs, while they decorated cookies.
Our skate nights for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders have been super fun for all! Co-sponsored with the PMS PTA, students had good, icy fun together. Click for more photos!
Allyson Pereira was a “good girl” who got involved with a very popular boy, who then broke up with her. He asked her for a nude photo with a promise to get back together. She made a terrible choice, but one many adults can understand, and she sent the photo. Her life was forever changed. She came to discuss her experiences with current 7th and 8th grade students during the school day, and the Pelham parent community in the evening.
Our PT Counseling student clinicians, Ashiya and Ananda, have been with us since September, involved in all areas of PT Counseling. They have been seeing regular clients in counseling sessions, organizing larger group efforts for girls, and have recently begun meeting with students in the middle school and at Hutchinson Elementary.
A few members of our Pelham Together Youth Council traveled to Albany for Mental Health Matters Day to advocate for more resources and policy related to youth mental health. They heard speakers from different NYS positions and advocates from other schools and spoke individually with their elected officials, Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Assembly Member Amy Paulin. Youth leaders are the BEST leaders!!
Dr. Martinez presented her approach to discussing drug use with your kids - clear, science-based facts that explain how drugs affect brains and bodies. This talk gave extremely useful advice in how to approach these issues. Watch the recording, or flip through her presentation below.
A Pelham teen, Gianluca Polenzani, wrote this terrific article for the Pelham Examiner about teens helping teens. . .