Empower Youth Network (EYN) invites community members to its annual “Give a Night, Save a Life” fundraiser on October 7, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m.
This year, the event will be held at two Snoqualmie Valley locations: Saints and Scholars Irish Pub on Snoqualmie Ridge and Miller’s – A Gathering Place in Carnation. Millers Carnation will be catered by Carnation Café & Lounge, with both locations offering attendees food, door prizes, and a drink ticket for a suggested minimum donation of $50.
This fundraiser supports EYN’s mission to prevent youth suicide and substance use through various community-driven programs. Helene Wentink, EYN’s Communication & Development Director, emphasized the event’s theme, explaining that youth connections play a pivotal role in prevention efforts.
This fundraiser supports EYN’s mission to prevent youth suicide and substance use through various community-driven programs. The event underscores the importance of youth connections, vital to prevention efforts, as highlighted in EYN’s various initiatives such as How to Help a Friend and substance use prevention programs like #YourLifeYourChoice and #BeSmartDontStart. These programs serve local schools and aim to reduce risk factors by fostering understanding and communication among youth.
Impact of Key Prevention Programs
Wentink shared insights into how EYN’s programs have significantly impacted the Snoqualmie Valley. For instance, the How to Help a Friend program, offered to middle school students in the Snoqualmie Valley and Riverview School Districts, has had measurable success.
“90.4% of students who attended the program shared that they now understand what to do if they think a friend might hurt themselves, and 91.2% said they would use this information to help a friend when they are struggling,” Wentink revealed.
The organization’s student-led substance use prevention campaigns, #YourLifeYourChoice at Mount Si High School and #BeSmartDontStart at Cedarcrest High School, aim to correct misconceptions about peer behavior.
These campaigns provide students with data showing positive norms in their communities, helping them make more informed decisions.
Strong Community Partnerships
Support from local businesses and larger corporations, such as Nintendo of America, The Snoqualmie Tribe, and Snoqualmie Valley Health, is crucial to the event’s success.
“These partnerships underwrite the costs associated with our events and programming,” Wentink explained. “All of our programs and classes are offered free to the community. This is only possible with the support of our incredible sponsors and supporters.”
Local sponsors, including Saints and Scholars Irish Pub, Miller’s, and Carnation Café & Lounge, play an essential role in bringing the event to two distinct Snoqualmie Valley locations, a decision Wentink believes enhances community engagement. “We love this event because it allows our message in youth suicide and substance use prevention to be amplified throughout the Snoqualmie Valley. It’s an intimate setting where we connect with the community,” she said.
Expanding Prevention Efforts
The event also raises awareness about EYN’s newest initiative: the Parents of Adolescents and Teens (PAT) Program. This free four-week series covers topics such as adolescent brain development, healthy communication, substance use, and resiliency. It is modeled after the PEPS for Parents program and designed for caregivers of preteens and teens.
“We are offering this program beginning Oct. 1 for four weeks, with an additional workshop for Spanish-speaking families starting October 29,” Wentink explained. This new initiative adds to EYN’s comprehensive list of prevention programs, providing parents with tools to support their children’s mental and emotional well-being.
Community Feedback and Future Growth
Feedback from the community plays a vital role in shaping the future of EYN’s programs. “We listen to what the community needs and adapt as needed,” Wentink said. Following every event, surveys help guide future programming, ensuring that EYN’s initiatives remain relevant and effective.
As the “Give a Night Save a Life” event approaches, Wentink encourages anyone interested in supporting youth in the Snoqualmie Valley to attend. Attendees will have the chance to learn more about EYN’s impactful programs and how they can contribute to creating a safer, healthier community for local youth.
For more information and to RSVP, visit RSVP for Give a Night Save a Life. By attending, community members can make a lasting impact on youth in the Snoqualmie Valley. With the support of local businesses, sponsors, and caring individuals, Empower Youth Network continues to offer life-saving programs and resources, helping to build a stronger, more connected community for future generations.
