TEEN TIMES by Cody Hilton
Teen Volunteers from Children International and UNICEF Provide Emotional Help to Typhoon-Affected Children in the PhilippinesMANILA and QUEZON CITY, Philippines (June 16, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — Children International has deployed its extensive network of trained community volunteers to help UNICEF support children lost or emotionally traumatized by typhoons in the Philippines in 2009. The U.S.-based humanitarian organization, which helps more than 335,000 poor children around the world, including about 100,000 in the Philippines, reports the following successes: - 150 youth and adult volunteers received training in psychosocial support activities.
- Volunteers reached 8,240 families and children through these activities, exceeding their goal of 7,000.
- Referred 175 lost or separated children to social workers.
Through the program, those youth volunteers created a safe place for suffering children to cope with the shock of a major natural disaster. Volunteers used games, art and reading as an outlet for children to deal with their emotions and fears brought about by the typhoons. Volunteers also helped identify and register lost or missing children with national agencies in order to help reunite them with their families and relatives displaced by raging floodwaters and winds. Youth from Children International’s Youth Health Corps, a network of 2,000 Filipino-trained teens using peer-to-peer education methods to teach the value of living a healthy lifestyle, will incorporate the UNICEF training in their program activities. These youth will serve younger children who have survived major emotional experiences, and train other Youth Health Corps members to conduct play-therapy for children and their peers. As a result of the program’s success, UNICEF is extending the program to July 2010 in order to train more youth and adult volunteers. Children International’s President and CEO Jim Cook said, “I am grateful that UNICEF recognizes the value of the strength of Children International’s volunteer network and our Youth Health Corps. The youth are exceptional, capable and inspiring young adults. The youth and volunteers stand ready to assist young children if they should need help.” The training is part of an initiative from UNICEF to promote the use of child-friendly spaces, child-to-child interaction and play therapy to provide a safe outlet for children after experiencing a traumatic event. Children International currently has nearly 10,000 community volunteers and parents who help implement daily activities on the ground in 11 countries around the world.
Travel Tips for Kids Flying Solo by Jennifer Michaels Tags: solo travel, kid travel, family travel, solo travel for kids, travel tips, family travel tips
. Concussion experts agree that early diagnosis of a concussion is critical to effective resolution of symptoms. Complicating early diagnosis is the subtlety of the signs and symptoms. Anything from personality changes to sleep disturbances to nausea and concentration problems may be a sign of concussion. While national media attention on high school sports is resulting in a larger number of concussions being detected in those players, concussions in youth sports are also of concern. Unfortunately, concussion education for pee wee coaches, pediatricians, and others involved with youth sports hasn’t yet hit mainstream, so not surprisingly concussion experts are not routinely seeing those kids. Dr. Karahalios strongly believes that youth athletes are not immune to concussion. Some of the points he urges parents, coaches and pediatricians to consider include: - Benign falls, hits, etc. CAN result in a concussion; even though these kids aren’t hitting as hard or falling as hard, they still suffer from concussion - Youth typically take a longer time to recover from concussion - Staying home from school may be part of the treatment, which many parents do not understand - If you aren’t looking for concussion, you’re not going to find it. Dr. Karahalios invites you to visit his website at www.dkneuro.com and to download the Ahead of the Game concussion reference card. Dr. Karahalios also acknowledges the valuable contributions made by the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association, who were instrumental in development of the tips and tools offered through this concussion reference card. CONCUSSIONS IN YOUTH ATHLETES ONLY DETECTED
IF SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ARE UNDERSTOOD Dr. Dean Karahalios, neurosurgeon and concussion expert at NorthShore University Health System in the Chicago area is offering a concussion reference card for parents, coaches and others interested in protecting the brains of youth participating in sports. The card is available for download at www.dkneuro.com
|
