Battle of the Bands photos

On May 27, What's up Princeton? had it's first event of the summer - a successful battle of the bands. Stay tuned for more events throughout the summer and fall. To view more photos or learn more, check out the What's up Princeton? facebook page: www.facebook.com/whatsupprinceton

What's Up Princeton? (L-R) Susan Conlon, Princeton Public Library; Gary DeBlasio, Corner House; Elizabeth M. Casparian, HiTOPS; Not pictured: Jeff Nathanson, Arts Council of Princeton, and Jack Roberts, Princeton Recreation Department.

HiTOPS is Reaching Adulthood

HiTOPS is growing up. Though technically still an adolescent at 22, HiTOPS is entering its next developmental phase—complete with a new set of life challenges! HiTOPS is focusing on its future and wants to explore the best ways it can promote adolescent health and well-being locally, regionally and nationally!

HiTOPS is undertaking a comprehensive strategic planning effort, with the goals to achieve a) unified and energized Board and staff around mission, vision and strategic initiatives; b) strengthened relationships with community stakeholders, including key individual donors, current and potential funding agencies; and c) prioritized goals for growth areas with strategies and resources for implementing.

There have been many significant changes since HiTOPS last planning effort, including the market crash, new leadership on the Board and staff, changes in the field of adolescent health, and heightened demands on the nonprofit sector around fundraising and governance. HiTOPS wants to position itself to be able to take advantage of opportunities—such as new government support for evidence-based comprehensive sex education—and be able to address the challenges—such as the recessionary economy and increased competition for resources.

In May, Executive Director Elizabeth Casparian hired a consultant to lead the organization in gathering data from Board, staff and other key stakeholders and identifying areas for growth. Already there have been retreats for both Board and staff, as well as interviews and focus groups with stakeholders. The data collecting will continue through the summer while staff also begin assessing the current capacity of the organization. We are aiming to celebrate in early fall with our new plan!

It Takes a Village...

At HiTOPS we know that “it takes a village...” and we rely on many local and national partnerships to maximize limited resources and successfully achieve our mission. In addition to the important partners who play a role in educational programs or healthcare services, HiTOPS wants to recognize the many partners who provided financial support this year for programs and services that directly benefitted adolescents with life-saving knowledge, skills, and professional care. These community partnerships are also a source of tremendous encouragement within this recessionary economy.

HiTOPS thanks the following corporate and foundation partners for grants received this year.

- Aetna Foundation

- Albin Family Foundation

- Bristol-Myers Squibb

- Church & Dwight Company, Inc.

- The Curtis W. McGraw Foundation

- E.J. Grassmann Trust

- Fred C. Rummel Foundation

- Harbourton Foundation

- Horizon Foundation for NJ

- Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products

- Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies

- Mary Owen Borden Foundation

- New Jersey Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Division of HIV/AIDS Services

- Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Princeton Area Community Foundation—Fund for Women and Girls

- Princeton Area Community Foundation—Greater Mercer Grants

- Susan G. Komen for the Cure

- The Bunbury Company

- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton

2009-2010 HiTOPS Teen Council, Executive Director Elizabeth M. Casparian (far left) and Board Member Jim Levine (far right)

L-R: HiTOPS Board member Jim Levine, Executive Director Elizabeth M. Casparian, Catharine Vaucher, Director of Development & Marketing, Aetna employees Matthew W. Miller and Janice C. Washeleski, and Sandra Zordan-Friedman, Director of Health Services at HiTOPS.

Summertime and the Living is Easy: 3 Easy Steps to Avoid Teen Risk-taking

Ah, summer! Most school-aged children cannot wait until that bell rings on the last day of school and releases them for the long, lazy summer ahead. Some will head off to camp, some to family vacations and some will sleep all morning. For older teens, those for whom there is no more camp and who are too old for a baby-sitter, summer can present some risk and concerns, especially when both parents are working all day, and teen jobs are hard to find.

Here’s what you can do to help your teen be safe, productive and healthy this summer:

Find useful projects at home

Before the summer is in full swing, organize certain household projects for your teens to do – cleaning out a basement, attic or garage, painting, planting, weeding or any other relatively simple, but time-consuming tasks that NEED to be done around the house. Creating a photo album, a website or other more creative task might also be something that would engage a teen. Consider either paying your teen, or offering some kind of reward that you both agree is motivating. Be sure to set deadlines and check progress daily – offer lots of positive feedback.

Create daily structure – with built-in down time

If your teen is going to be home alone, help them schedule and structure their day – including time for sleeping late, watching TV or whatever they want to do that helps them relax. Also have them schedule in time for physical activity, healthy meals and some productive chores around the house. Summer is a great time for teens to learn to do their own laundry, prepare meals, grocery shop or vacuum the living room.

Encourage community service or volunteer work

While being paid might be ideal, sometimes offering to help a neighbor or an organization can lead to paid employment later on. Asking neighbors if they need pet or plant care while they are on vacation, help with yard work or anything else will give teens a sense of purpose, even if it does not pay much. Some local charities also need extra hands during the summer.

In addition, parents can:

- Check in regularly by phone or text

- Drop in occasionally if you work close by or work from home when possible

- Be sure your teen has tools to be productive – a bike, a good meal, cleaning equipment, recipes, directions to stores, etc.

- Rotate with other parents to share checking in

- Be proactive about requiring that chores and projects be completed on time/daily

- Reward with time off; but only if it is earned

Have a safe and wonderful summer!