Verde Valley News – With nearly 350 youth in attendance from schools across the Verde Valley over a two-day stretch, the annual Teen Maze event was once again a success.
In a joint effort by Verde Valley Sanctuary (VVS) and Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS), Teen Maze focused on raising awareness among local teens on the dangers of illicit drugs, early teen pregnancy, the effects of tobacco and vaping on the body, cyber safety, making healthier choices with nutrition and exercise, and being part of a healthy relationship.
VVS Community Based Advocacy Director Vivien Mann said the Teen Maze event plays an important role among local youth as February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. According to the CDC, one in 12 high school students experienced sexual dating violence in the past year.
“By connecting with our community partners, we can help students educate themselves in a fun way that hopefully leads to healthier decision making and better coping skills,” Mann said.
In her third year helping plan the event, YES (Youth Empowerment Services) Program Specialist Amanda Majewski said Teen Maze prepares eighth grade students for future challenges they may face moving forward into high school, and throughout their lives into adulthood.
“The diverse topics equips the students with the understanding and knowledge needed for possible life-altering choices that could have major consequences and impact on their decisions moving forward later in life,” Majewski said, adding that she loves seeing how the community comes together for this event with such “passion”
“The creative, engaging activities are always fun,” Majewski said.
Created in 1999 under the leadership of North Star Youth Partnership, a program of Catholic Charities Community Services, the community-driven event focused on eighth grade students and by design, brought to life the potential effects of various life choices.
Taking place at the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District on Feb. 25 and 27, local teens rotated through 10 different booths on 8-minute rotations sparked by a whistle. As teens navigated their way through a maze, scenario cards were drawn, educating them on a myriad of topics. Each section was presented through creative games and hands-on activities to provide an experiential learning environment.
YCCHS Community Health Education Coordinator Laurel Abdelnour said she’s been involved with the Teen Maze event since 2007, and this year marks the 30th anniversary.
“Many of our staff have participated in just as many, if not more [than me],” Abdelnour said, adding that the choices teenagers make now could affect them the rest of their lives.
“Teen Maze encourages them to think before they act,” Abdelnour said. “It also educates youth in a way that is fun and experiential, whether that’s learning how much it costs to have and raise a baby through a ‘Price is Right’ game or putting on ‘marijuana goggles.’ The students have a direct experience they may never forget.”
VVS advocates from the Outreach department were on hand to talk healthy relationships, while other organizations that joined the Teen Maze adventure included YCCHS, MATFORCE (Mobilizing Action Together For Community Empowerment), KC’s Tae Kwon Do, Manzanita Outreach, Starbucks, Verve, and the Cottonwood Police Department.
“We thank all of our friends and community partners for helping put on such a great event once again this year,” VVS Development and Communications Director said. “It’s important that our local teens in the Verde Valley are fully aware of the topics presented to them this week as it will play a crucial role in their development moving forward, helping them make the best choices possible now, and in the future.”
About
Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The agency began in 1993 as a grassroots organization with a leased modular home that slept six and has grown into a 32-bed emergency shelter with transitional housing options, a lay legal advocacy center, community-based advocacy support, a 24/7/365 crisis hotline (928-634-2511) and a staff that takes pride in its youth violence prevention education and public outreach and awareness. VVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and qualifying charitable organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. Federal Tax ID: #86-071314; QCO Code: #20041. Visit VerdeValleySanctuary.org for more information.