December was dedicated to identifying the needs in our community and researching organizations that take steps in addressing those needs. The students identified the following as critical needs in our community (in no particular order): crime, violence/abuse, hunger, homelessness, alcohol/drug abuse, teen pregnancy, teen suicide, physical/mental handicaps, and racism. After their research they decided to send the following organizations an RFP for the $1000 JOY grants: Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skatepark, Planned Parenthood, WIC, Elmhurst, Youth Move Maine, Maine Suicide Prevention, CASA, Tedford Shelter, Project Aware, CHANS Hospice, Habitat for Humanity/7 Rivers, Addiction Resource Center, SASSMM, New Hope for Women, Seeds of Independence, and the Bath Mobile Food Truck. For more information on JOY go to www.jumpstartouryouth.org.
