Children’s mental health advocate to discuss AWARE program in AC Schools on Monday

Kim Guinn, an advocate for children’s mental health, will discuss the Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education, or AWARE, program in Anderson County Schools during a meeting on Monday.

Guinn is director of the Project AWARE initiative for Anderson County Schools.

The Monday program is at 11:30 a.m. October 24 in Room 102 of the Activities Building of First Presbyterian Church. It’s presented by the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch.

The AWARE program is supported by a federal five-year-grant to help students with mental health or substance abuse issues, a press release said. In this program, teachers and other adults who interact with young people are taught “mental health first aid.”

This program came about as part of an effort by the White House to address the problem of violence by young people, the press release said. To read more about this, see “Now is the Time, the White House” on the Internet, the release said.

The Soup Kitchen will cater the luncheon at a cost of $8, with the menu including soup and sandwiches and a dessert. Tea and coffee will be served. Reservations may be made by calling Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043 or Marge Congdon at (865) 481-3120. Those attending may bring a sack lunch if they like, but a reservation is still needed to ensure enough seating.

Donations in the form of items that cannot be bought with food stamps to be given to ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties) are encouraged, the release said. Items needed are things such as soaps, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoos, and paper products, including Kleenex and toilet paper.

At this meeting, the 2016 White House Christmas tree ornaments will be available, along with the 2017 AAUW calendar.

There will be no meeting in November. The next function with the traditional Holiday Tea in December.

The public is welcome to attend AAUW general meetings.

AAUW’S mission is to work for equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research, the press release said.

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