Pelham Guidance Council Shares New Drug Prevention Initiatives

When a group of young thespians hit the stage at Parish of Christ the Redeemer on Wednesday night, the Pelham Guidance Council confirmed its message—this organization does a lot more than just dispense conventional counseling.

Operating in Pelham since 1970, the Pelham Guidance Council shared its accomplishments for the year, and the new initiatives it hopes to implement, at Wednesday night’s annual board meeting. In addition to offering therapy and drug prevention programs, the PGC also runs “Kids Helping Kids,” a theater opportunity for local high schoolers. The teens write, direct and perform a play each year that centers on social issues that speak to third, fourth and fifth graders.

“More than 60 percent of [elementary] students [polled] named the 'Kids Helping Kids' program as helpful in knowing what to do when they are bullied, see bullying or when someone is bothering them,” remarked Cheryl Bobe, director of the Pelham Guidance Council.

This year’s play, “The Lizard of Odd” focused on bullying and acceptance. The teens toured the piece around the elementary schools here and the kids discussed the play’s themes with social workers after watching the show. The actors gave their final performance at Wednesday’s board meeting.

“[We aim] to give them examples of what to do if they were bullied or if they were offered things like drugs or alcohol, to get them to make the better choices,” said Kyra De Tone, a PMHS student who played the role of Queen of Intolerance.

To help impress the integral role the PGC plays in Pelham, Chuck Odom, assistant principal of PMHS, shared just how important it is for adults to bolster teens’ self esteem.

“There’s nothing sadder than a young pessimist,” Odom said, quoting Mark Twain.

Odom also listed a number of key qualities adults should aim to embody in order raise healthy, well-adjusted kids. He urged that adults be consistent, practice what they preach and to “serve as the rock that is oftentimes missing.”

Odom praised the PGC for offering local kids and teens just that.

“Maybe you have the harder job,” Odom noted, “because of what walks through your door.”

To help clarify the role the PGC plays, Bobe emphasized that the organization is available for parents and teens at any stage, when a problem arises.

“We told the community that we really want to be available to them,” Bobe said. “They should utilize us not just when problems are really big and grave, but also when they’re struggling with everyday kinds of problems and issues.”