January is National Mentoring Month!

Every day, mentors in communities across our Nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch, or just listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child's life. During National Mentoring Month, we recognize those who give generously of themselves by mentoring young Americans.

Mentors can come in many forms: tutors, church leaders, teachers, coaches or just someone who stops and takes time to talk with and listen to youth.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor please consider joining one of these established mentoring organizations:

• 1:1 Mentoring - a program designed to match youth from Cary Home for Children with positive role models from the community. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

• Big Brother Big Sisters of Greater Lafayette - makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 17. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. Visit www.bbbslaf.org for more information.

However you interact with youth we hope that you both grow in positive ways and continue to help us make Tippecanoe County a safer and healthier place to live, learn and work!

Join us @ our February Meeting

The Coalition will meet at 4pm on Wednesday February 1st in the first floor conference room at 100 Saw Mill Road in Lafayette. Please review the December meeting minutes prior to attending. We will hear verbal reports from the Lafayette Crisis Center and the West Lafayette Police Department.

PARENTS are the #1 influence in their children's lives -  more than friends, music, TV, the internet and celebrities.

Kids who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who do not.

With the school year quickly approaching the Drug-Free Coalition wants to encourage parents to talk with their children about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

A new school year can bring new experiences and pressures. As a parent we encourage you to do all that you can to keep your children educated and help them make the healthy choice to stay alcohol and drug free!

Talk Now. Talk Often. Click here for tips!

Couldn't join us for the Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Peter DeBenedittis?

Click here to hear what he had to say about media, children's brains, and alcohol advertising.