the guys only (go) program

The GO! Program(Guys Only!)

A program from Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities,

in partnership with Norwich University.

What is GO!?An empowerment program for

at-risk young men, grades 7-10, designed to reduce and prevent

substance abuse.

In the Spring of 2007, for 13 weeks,

the GO! Guys met weekly with

Norwich University students and staff,

and community volunteers

to learn about healthy behaviors and challenge themselves both mentally and

physically.

The GO! Guys of 2007 (and volunteers)

ready to go on their retreat

Weeknight activities included:

– Snowshoeing– Indoor rock

climbing– Swimming– Team-building

activities– Workshops on

healthy behaviors

The Program finished with an overnight camping retreat, which included outdoor

rock climbing, rappelling and hiking.

Quotes from the GO! Guys:

“I learned that you don’t have to use your

fists to solve stuff.”

“I learned that you have to work with people to get

things done.”

“I like Go! because we get to do team building activities that helped us get to know

each other.”

“I learned that teamwork, communication, cooperation are the key ingredient[s] to

success.”

“I like GO! because it is fun and it teaches us stuff about

life.”

GO! is an Asset Building Program

The program was developed using the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental

Assets as a framework. These “assets” are like “building blocks” for healthy

student development.(www.search-institute.org)

The GO! Program focused specifically on developing

18 out of the 40 Assets:

Other AdultRelationships

Youthreceivessupport from 3 or more non-parentadults.

Adult Role Models

Parent(s) and other adults

model positive, responsible behavior.

Positive Peer Influence

Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.

High Expectations

Both parent(s) and teachers [and other adults] encourage the young person

to do well.

Creative Activities

Young person spends 3 or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or other organizations in the community.

Integrity

Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs.

Honesty

Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.”

Responsibility

Young person accepts and

takes personal responsibility.

Restraint

Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use

alcohol or other drugs.

Interpersonal competence

Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.

Cultural Competence

Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different

cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Resistance Skills

Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.

Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Young person seeks to

resolve conflict nonviolently.

Personal Power

Young person feels he or she has control over

“things that happen to me.”

Self-Esteem

Young person reports having a high self-esteem

Sense of Purpose

Young person reports that

“my life has a purpose.”

Positive View of Personal Future

Young person is optimistic about her or his personal

future.

What Do GO! Guys Really Do?

Go! Guys Overcome Challenges

On Norwich University’s Challenge Course

Each of them, took their turn, facing the unique challenges.

They learned to compete with one another respectfully.

They learned about asking for help from an adult.

They took risks to help one another over the rough spots.

And learned how much they really could overcome.

What Do GO! Guys

Really Do?

GO! Guys Learn from

Special Workshops

• Dealing with Anger (Tony Moulton, Northfield Boys & Girls Club)

• Positive and Negative Peer Influence (Suzanne Jolly, Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities)

• Domestic Violence and Healthy Relationships

(Meg Kuhner and Stephen from Battered Women’s Services and Shelter)

Workshops Topics Included:

They GO! Guys work in groups to sort out what are negative, positive and neutral behaviors.

Meg Kuhner and Stephen McArthur teach about healthy relationships and domestic violence.

What Do GO! Guys Really Do?

GO! Guys Eat

and learn about healthy eating

They “do chow” (in the Norwich University dining hall.)

and picnic out on the lawns.

GO! Guys Learn to Work Together to Succeed

They learned to share the heavy burdens,

Even balancing leadership roles amongst their team members.

They trusted their teammates to guide them through precarious situations.

What Do GO! Guys

Really Do?

GO! Guys Swim

at Norwich University’s Pool.

They learn how to take risks…

and how to push themselves safely.

But the GO! Guys Couldn’t Have Done All of This Alone

They needed the guidance and encouragement of the GO! Volunteers to

see their way through.

Many thanks to the GO! Volunteers for their hard work:David Maida, Stephen Dunn, Paul Ciampaglia, Kyle Robidas, Alan Chandler, Frank Steenburn, Jeff Greene, Guy Boucher (not shown) and Jon Hatch (not shown).

Particular thanks to the fearless coordinator:

Major Alan Chandler

GO! never would have happened without his enthusiasm and dedication!

The GO! Program is sponsored by:

• Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities

• Norwich University• PetraCliffs Climbing Center

But needs further sponsorship for 2008.

For more information on the GO! Program

Suzanne Jolly

Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities

(802) 485-8081

drugfree@trans-video.net

Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities is a program of

the Greater Northfield Coalition Council (a non-profit

organization). It is a federally funded program from the

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.