The Girls Afterschool Program was established by the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition to encourage girls to take a more active interest in their health. The Coalition partnered with Jack McLean Community Center to launch the program in the community.

Activities, discussions, and field trips focus on individual, cultural and family views of health, exercise, nutrition, wellness, and personal hygiene. The girls are also provided with activities to promote positive character, increased self esteem and goal setting.

S.T.R.O.N.G.E.R. is Strength to Trust and Respect; an Opportunity to be Nice, Graceful, Encouraging and Responsible.

Download the brochure for information on how to join or contact Denée Glenn for more information.

What is smokeless tobacco?

Chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco in the shape of sticks, pellets, and strips are all types of tobacco products that are not smoked but used in other ways. All types of smokeless tobacco contain nicotine and chemicals known to cause cancer (carcinogens).

Teen smoking can become a lifelong habit. Help your teen resist that first puff.

From MayoClinic.com

Teen smoking might begin innocently enough, but it can become a lifelong habit. In fact, most adult smokers began smoking as teenagers. Your best bet? Help your teen resist taking that first puff. These 10 tips can help.

1. Understand the attraction.

Sometimes teen smoking is a form of rebellion or a way to fit in with a particular group of friends. Some teens light up in an attempt to lose weight or to feel better about themselves. Others smoke to feel cool or independent. To know what you're dealing with, ask your teen how he or she feels about smoking. Ask which of your teen's friends smoke. Applaud your teen's good choices, and talk about the consequences of bad choices. You might also talk with your teen about how tobacco companies try to influence ideas about smoking — such as paying actors to smoke in movies to create the perception that smoking is cool.