If you haven't noticed we are very lucky to have many youth organizations making a positive change in our community. One of those is CATS (County Activists Taking a Stand) For Youth. This group is part of the Decatur County Family Connection Collaborative Youth Development Strategy Team.


1st Row: Tori Gravlee (advisor), Myra Ruiz, Shirelle Clark, Bridget Stephens, Rachel Holley, Brittany Brooks, Jasmine Abrams, Jennifer Voyles, Ellie Thomas, & Ami Mejia (Decatur County Family Connection Coordinator)
2nd Row: Aesha Worthy, Tiandria Burke, Lauren Thomas, Jordan Jackson, Mary Anna Dozier, and Mary Grace Griffin
Not present: Danielle Backey, Porchia Bowden, Chelsey Bryant, Kelsey Gordon, LaQuana Scott, Claire Whitehead, and Latori Williams

The twenty plus CATS members are selected Bainbridge High School Students. They, with the assistance of advisor, Tori Gravelee select projects for the year. One of the activities that CATS is working on is a Teen Summit.

The summit will be a one day conference with a keynote speaker and workshops. This is being planned for the 2nd semester and the focus will be the prevention of risky behaviors and youth leadership. CATS will take the lead on the Teen Summit and hope to partner with other organizations to sponsor the event.

Another project they are working on is National Red Ribbon Week. The Red Ribbon Week Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. The Red Ribbon Week Campaign activities will promote public awareness of substance abuse and prevention.

CATS also will visit with the elementary schools this year. They perform anti-drug puppet shows for the students. This year they are hoping to do some work with the middle school students. They are also working on other activities and projects including abstinence education and attending the Georgia Teen Institute.  

Josh Paske is the chair for the Youth Development Strategy Team.  As one of the teams and focus groups under the Decatur County Family Connection Collaborative, the Youth Development Strategy Team works with youth and families to promote constructive lifestyles. The programs and activities of the team discourage alcohol and drug abuse, teen sexual activity and criminal behavior.

Some of the programs and activities include; The Dictionary Project, Challenge Day, Girls Circle Groups, Choosing the Best and WAIT, Shoplifting Education, Parenting Education Classes, Second Step Curriculum, and CATS for Youth.

If you would like more information on Youth Development Strategy Team you can contact Josh Paske at 229-243-1298 or jpaske@bellsouth.net 
For more information on the Decatur County Family Connection Collaborative contact Ami Mejia at 229-243-6451 or amejia@bainbridge.edu

The next meeting for the Decatur County Family Connection Collaborative is September 14th. The meeting are held at Friendship House on Russ Street and are from 12 noon to 1:00 pm.