As part of the Grant County DWI "Making Healthy Life Choices" prevention program in Mr. Dunlap's 7th grade class at La Plata Middle School, students got to choose a community service activity. This year's class chose to do a food drive for the Silver City Gospel Mission and collected 300 pounds of food, to donate. On March 8, 2018, the students, along with school and Grant County DWI Prevention Program staff, delivered the food to the Gospel Mission. Students were given a tour of the facility, as well as a presentation regarding services available at the shelter and how they can make a difference by speaking up and helping those in need.

The DWI Prevention Program has been in Mr. Dunlap's class, on a weekly basis, since the beginning of the school year, focusing on life skills and making healthy life choices. The culmination of the program was the community service activity. By learning to improve their community, young people develop the capacity to organize others. They also develop problem solving, time management and planning skills. Being involved in an organized project also teaches goal setting, working within established systems and how to motivate others to help. These types of projects also teach kindness, respect and empathy – internal strengths that connect them to others. Studies have shown that adolescents that feel connected to their community and feel they can make a difference are less likely to have alcohol and substance abuse problems.

For information on how you can request the services of the DWI Program in your classroom, or other youth organization, please call Cindy Blackman at 575-313-9814.