IN OUR FLOURISHING town, a powerful revolution is underway, led by a group of passionate teenagers who created a coalition known as Teens Making a New Tomorrow. The guiding lights of the movement are the directors Jessie Sheehan, a dedicated prevention specialist, and Melanie Morrow, with a tireless work ethic. The true driving forces behind Teens Making a New Tomorrow’s success are the brilliant young minds of the youth ambassadors, presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, and secretaries — each brimming with ideas and fueled by a desire to forge a brighter future.
The genesis of Sheehan’s journey with Teens Making a New Tomorrow traces back to a pivotal conversation with a determined student named Nick Torres. Torres, fueled by a yearning to make a difference in his community, approached Sheehan with the vision of starting a youth coalition. Recognizing the potential in Torres’s enthusiasm, Sheehan provided the guidance and support needed to transform his vision into a tangible reality.
Teens Making a New Tomorrow has swiftly evolved into an unstoppable force of good, drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” a self-help book. Guided by this framework, the group formulated a mission to empower youth to make healthy choices and build a brighter future. With a focus on tackling complex issues such as substance misuse, bullying, and peer pressure, Teens Making a New Tomorrow utilizes education, empathy, and a strong sense of peer support.
“Making tomorrow better. That’s what they’re focused on and passionate about,” Sheehan said.
The organization’s notable accomplishments is the development of its prevention program. Drawing on personal experiences, these teens are currently crafting a compelling presentation on the dangers of alcohol misuse.
For many members of Teens Making a New Tomorrow, the fight against drug misuse hits close to home.
IN OUR FLOURISHING town, a powerful revolution is underway, led by a group of passionate teenagers who created a coalition known as Teens Making a New Tomorrow. The guiding lights of the movement are the directors Jessie Sheehan, a dedicated prevention specialist, and Melanie Morrow, with a tireless work ethic. The true driving forces behind Teens Making a New Tomorrow’s success are the brilliant young minds of the youth ambassadors, presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, and secretaries — each brimming with ideas and fueled by a desire to forge a brighter future.
The genesis of Sheehan’s journey with Teens Making a New Tomorrow traces back to a pivotal conversation with a determined student named Nick Torres. Torres, fueled by a yearning to make a difference in his community, approached Sheehan with the vision of starting a youth coalition. Recognizing the potential in Torres’s enthusiasm, Sheehan provided the guidance and support needed to transform his vision into a tangible reality.
Teens Making a New Tomorrow has swiftly evolved into an unstoppable force of good, drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” a self-help book. Guided by this framework, the group formulated a mission to empower youth to make healthy choices and build a brighter future. With a focus on tackling complex issues such as substance misuse, bullying, and peer pressure, Teens Making a New Tomorrow utilizes education, empathy, and a strong sense of peer support.
“Making tomorrow better. That’s what they’re focused on and passionate about,” Sheehan said.
The organization’s notable accomplishments is the development of its prevention program. Drawing on personal experiences, these teens are currently crafting a compelling presentation on the dangers of alcohol misuse.
For many members of Teens Making a New Tomorrow, the fight against drug misuse hits close to home.
high expectations and unwaveringly believing in the potential of these teens. She empowers them to take ownership of their actions and decisions while providing the necessary support to navigate the challenges of adolescence.
The community has embraced Teens Making a New Tomorrow with open arms. Parents express gratitude for the positive influence on their children, and school officials recognize Teens Making a New Tomorrow as a valuable partner in creating a safe and healthy learning environment. Local organizations eagerly collaborate with the teens, acknowledging their unyielding courage to make a difference.
Reflecting on the impact of Teens Making a New Tomorrow, Jadon Vanzant, a youth ambassador, said, “When I was a teenager, I was a part of the previous iteration of the Youth Coalition. Back then, I joined because I saw how drug and alcohol misuse was affecting my peers and wanted to help make a change. I have only been out of high school for six years and have lost three classmates due to drug overdoses. That alone tells me that the change needs to start with the youth. Who better to reach youth than other youth?”
Lacie Snyder, now the secretary and part of the executive board, reflects on her experience.
“In the beginning, I was just a member of the group that wanted to help make a difference. Now, I have gone from a regular member to the secretary and part of the group’s executive board.”
The future isn’t ours to inherit; it’s ours to create. The next generation is working for a brighter tomorrow. Let’s help them on their journey. GN
