The Odyssey of S.E.A.L.

Fish Fry Fundraiser Success – Thank you community!!!

December 31st, 2007

Friday the 13^th was a lucky day for youth and adult participants of the Social Ecology Aquatic and Leadership (S.E.A.L.) Project.  Good weather, good food and good friends were on hand as they recruited new members, rallied community support and raised money for the S.E.A.L. Project youth program.  The S.E.A.L. Project is a co-ed adventure based experiential earth/ environmental science literacy, aquatic capacity building, community service and youth development initiative for youth (girls and guys) age 10 -21.  Fridays event was a “social - entrepreneurial learning” experience for the youth, and a tremendous financial boost for the group.  The S.E.A.L. Project’s strategy is to raise money through grants, donations and fundraisers to help offset the cost of youth activities and to keep the program from being a burden on parent’s pocket books. 

Check out our PhotoShow (here)

The S.E.A.L. Project was created in response to a recent county sponsored youth needs assessment which revealed that; “gateway” use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; promiscuous sex involvement; and obesity are prevalent within Dinwiddie youth circles of influence.  Focus groups for the study indicated overwhelming concern that there are “very few structured after school and evening activities available / accessible for youth”;  Additionally, many citizens, parents, professionals and youth themselves attribute lack of programming to increased participation in risky behavior.  As such, the S.E.A.L.’s plan to continue promoting “out of school time” cookouts, concerts, dances, skating parties, film festivals, organized group discussions, conferences, summits and pro-social “life skills” education for youth; especially during the summer.  For more information about S.E.A.L. and how to join log onto www.riskids.org or call 804 265 3871.  

Entry Filed under: S.E.A.L in our community