Growing to Greatness

Members of the Westshore Young Leaders and visitors to the Dwyer Center shared an evening of intergenerational fun, with games, food and planting vegetable seed tray gardens.

The Dwyer Memorial Senior Center stayed open late on Thursday, April 16, to host the monthly meeting of the Westshore Young Leaders Network. The WYLNetwork has been serving the six Westshore communities since 2010. The young leaders are dedicated to implementing strategies aimed at preventing and reducing youth substance use while encouraging healthy life choices.

The youth-led initiative was envisioned during a snowy January meeting. The young leaders wanted to bring “spring” to those visiting Dwyer Memorial Senior Center. Leslie Selig, Director of Community Services, eagerly accepted the partnership.

The evening started with the young leaders introducing themselves and sharing memories about their grandparents. Groups were formed to plant vegetable seed tray gardens. The seedlings will find their new home at the Bay Community Garden.

A meeting wouldn’t be complete without a pizza dinner and all the fixins’! Intergenerational tables were set while all in attendance listened to SAIC Jeff Capretto of the Westshore Enforcement Bureau speak on prescription drug safety and disposal.

Laughter and piano music filled the room during games of “Duck, Duck, Goose,” Forks, Sorry and Chess. At the end of the evening, when the goodbyes were said, all were thrilled by their newly formed friendships. Bring on the Talent Show next year!

If you would like more information about the Adult Network Coalition or the Westshore Young Leaders call 440-250-9916 or visit www.westshoreyoungleaders.org.

Noreen Kyle

WEB is the Westshore Enforcemt Bureau, a drug task force serving 6 Westshore Communities; Bay Village; Fairview Park; Lakewood; North Olmsted; Rocky River and Westlake. As School Prevention Specialsit working for WEB, I provide alcohol and drug prevention services for the middle and high school teens within the Westshore Schools.

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Volume 7, Issue 8, Posted 9:35 AM, 04.21.2015