1010 9th Street   Suite 2
Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone: 716-6555
Fax: 716:6557

lifeways@rushmore.com

www.lifeways.ws

Mission:
To promote a healthy way of life for youth

We believe that:

• Resilience is a human condition and all youth are "youth at promise".
• Meaningful adult and peer interaction is critical to health promotion.
• Culture of caring and connectedness gives belonging and safety.
• Guiding youth to discover their sense of purpose and meaning is essential.
• Impacting youth's ability to identify their power and competency is health realizing.

Vision:

To strengthen alcohol and drug prevention programming in schools through education, intervention, support and collaboration with the community

• Modeling programming with life skills, interactive delivery, intensive participation, and strong implementation prevent and/or reduces substance use/abuse.
• Consistency and reinforcing positive messages is important for long term change.
• High expectations that convey respect, provide guidance and build on the strengths of each person.
• Opportunities for participation, contribution, real decision making and critical thinking skills will teach survival tools.

At Lifeways, we understand that adolescent substance abuse is a major public health and social problem. As we approach adolescent substance use, we must be careful not to label a young person who has started to use drugs. We also have taken into consideration the strong correlation between substance abuse and many emotional and behavioral problems including depression, self-harm, aggressive behaviors such as fighting, stealing, truancy, and school drop-outs. We work to link existing programs to new programs. At this time in society, prevention has the opportunity to change the negative trend of adolescent substance use and abuse. Lifeways will place advisors in each of Rapid City's high schools.

The Advisors provide:

• CLASSROOM EDUCATION on alcohol, drugs, and tobacco abuse and dependence.
• RESEARCH BASED PREVENTION CURRICULUM
• SUPPORT GROUPS for on-going abstinence and relapse prevention.
• INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
• EDUCATION to individuals, groups, and family members.
• ASSISTANCE IN DRUG-FREE ACTIVITIES such as Youth to Youth (Y2Y), Stand Against a Violent Environment (S.A.V.E.), IMPROV, etc.
• REFERRALS to other resources in the community.

Lifeways Staff: