Partnership For Promise

The Richland County Partnership for Promise is a coalition dedicated to bringing communities together to provide a healthy and supportive environment for the youth of Richland County. Our members come from all sectors of community life including schools, religious organizations, community agencies, public health, media, local businesses, and civic clubs. Currently we count over 20 community agencies and countless individuals and families as collaborators in our work.

We pledge to keep five promises to our youth, we will ensure that they have caring adults in their lives, safe places to play and learn, a healthy start in life, marketable skills to carry with them into adulthood and opportunities to serve their community.

SADD

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is an inclusive, not exclusive, organization. SADD recognizes that the pressures on young people to drink, use illicit drugs and engage in other unhealthy behaviors are strong. SADD seeks not to punish or alienate those students who make unfortunate choices, but rather aims to inform, educate and empower young people to make positive decisions in their lives. Funds from the Richland County Partnership For Promise Youth Coalition and local business donations have been used to provide start-up funds for a SADD chapter at Sidney Middle School. For more information, contact Debbie Anderson at (406) 433-2207 or visit www.sadd.org.

The Stop and Think Program communicates a clear standard of abstinence, and gives students critical thinking skills they can use in every major decision.  These skills include examining influences, considering personal values, and determining pros and cons.  In practicing these skills, students increase their self-control, and make decisions that will give them freedom from the emotional, social, and physical consequences of sexual activity outside of marriage.  Waiting until marriage for sex is the safest and healthiest choice.

Stop and Think presentations are heard by 7th grade students at Sidney Middle School on a yearly basis.  It is possible to set up presentations in other schools in Richland County by contacting Shelee Warner at the Richland County Health Department, (406) 433-2207.

To learn more about abstinence, you can visit these links: