Communities That Care Hosting First 'Youth Sign Me Up' Event

Uniontown, PA- "I'm bored."

"There's nothing to do around here."

Parents hear those statements frequently, especially in the summer months, when there is no school, and often, no school-related activities to keep kids busy. But Communities That Care (CTC) of Fayette is out to show kids throughout Fayette County that there is, in fact, plenty to do around here, hosting its first Youth Sign Me Up event Sunday, April 21, at the Uniontown Mall.

The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. and is open to any Fayette County youth, from preschool through 12th grade, free of charge. Local organizations such as clubs and athletic leagues will be on hand to speak with kids about their activities and events, and sign them up on the spot if they're interested. There will also be games, crafts and activities, as well as food and refreshments.

"Communities That Care decided to do this event because our main goal is to help reduce depressive symptoms among youth in Fayette County," said Shelbe Weaver, the organization's mobilizer and a prevention specialist at the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission.

Other objectives are to help local youth find more after-school activities, get them involved in their communities, and help them find more ways to connect with their peers.

But depression among youth is a concern in the county.

Weaver said CTC uses findings from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey, and its 2021 data revealed that 46% of Fayette County youth in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 displayed depressive symptoms.

CTC Board Chair Alex Reagle, a prevention specialist with Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA, said depressive symptoms are one of the factors that can contribute to young people making bad choices. Another goal CTC hopes to achieve with the Youth Sign Me Up event, he said, is to help kids "be engaged with youth their age and then, hopefully, meet those adult allies - someone they can rely on and trust - over the summer."

Reagle said making strong connections with friends and trustworthy adults can "produce a lot of protective factors" to help youth make better decisions and stay out of trouble.

Weaver said the Youth Sign Me Up event already has garnered over 20 organizations, but more are welcome to participate.

"I know 4-H will be there," she said, noting Fayette County 4-H will staff multiple tables to appeal to kids with various interests. "Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region and the Private Industry Council will also be attending."

Weaver said Genbukai Karate-Do, a martial arts school based in the mall, will have a table, and Main Street Theatre Company and Girls Scouts of America will also be represented. Prizes will be raffled off, with kids earning a raffle ticket for each organization with which they interact.

Dozens of youth already are set to attend. "We have over 70 youth signed up," Weaver said.

Registration is not required but can be done in advance at https://forms.gle/5V8sDc2WFLAqPm95A.

To learn more about Communities That Care of Fayette County, visit www.ctcfayette.org. To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org.

Editor's Note: Image attached (CTC Youth Sign Me Up Event)

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This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.

For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 724-437-4571, [email protected] or Jamie Rankin, Journalist, at 724-437 4571, [email protected].