Partners for a Healthier Community

Youth from the Old Colony YMCA Diagnostic Center (DAC), which operates from the top floor of the Y building on North Main Street in Fall River, were offered an education session to the youth about the dangers of tobacco use. The group was led by Judith Coykendall of Partners for Clean Air, a program of the Seven Hills Foundation. The session offered information about the risks of smoking and methods of quitting. Youth who were over 18 were invited to participate in the new Department of Public Health-funded 1-800-TRY-TO-STOP program which offers telephone counseling to adult residents of Fall River and New Bedford.

(Pictured above) Judith Coykendall demonstrates a carbon monoxide monitor to the session participants so they could measure their current levels. Participants who were smoking were encouraged to quit by using the free counseling available through the Quitline. Those who were not smokers were reinforced in their decision to remain tobacco-free. Judith is available to do similar prevention education programs for youth in other settings. She can be contacted at pcamn@hotmail.com.