Kutztown concerned citizens united to form Kutztown Strong to make a difference.
The group of citizens formed “based on the fact that there have been a number of deaths between Brandywine and Kutztown over the past couple of years,” said Kutztown School District Superintendent Kathy Metrick. “While the deaths have been primarily students who have already graduated, they don’t get to that point and fall off a cliff. We’re trying to make a difference.”
Metrick said Kutztown School District put out a call to action to the community in April. With a turnout of 212 people, they divided everyone into six action groups: Community Resources, Inventory & Growth, Funding Resources, Education, Community Options & Activities, Public Relations, and Policy Review & Change.
Since that April meeting, there has been a regular turnout of about 40 at each meeting, and numerous people working behind the scenes.
“We have people saying, ‘What can I do to help?'” said Metrick. “We have people from the religious community, from the business community, people who just want to volunteer, people from CARON Foundation, from the University. Everybody is just so willing to do whatever it takes to make a difference in the lives of our future citizens.”
Metrick emphasized that Kutztown Strong is not a school district initiative; it’s not one group’s initiative but the efforts of many organizations in the community from Kutztown Community Partnership to The Optimist Club, as well as the school district.
“KCP will act as the governing body for administrative issues and as a fiscal sponsor until Kutztown Strong is able or desires independence,” said Nancy Brooks, Main Street Manager, KCP. “Every member of this community is part of what we’re working toward.”
Talking about addressing drug abuse concerns, Brooks said, “We need to be part of the solution.”
Also, KCP has applied for a grant that would fund an employee for Kutztown Strong.
Involved in the initial meeting were Mayor Sandy Green, Sen. Judy Schwank, Judge Gail Greth, DA’s Office and so many others.
Kutztown Strong’s efforts are targeted toward kindergarten to grade 12 and their parents, offering free events and educational programs.
With support of KCP, Kutztown Strong hosted “A Movie Under the Stars” showing “Night of the Living Dead” at Kutztown Park for free on Oct. 18. Open to all Kutztown Area High School students and their guests, Kutztown Strong’s hope is that this will be the first of many community-supported, supervised and safe activities for students.
Oct. 29, they will have a table at Downtown Kutztown Trick-or-Treat Merchant Night in front of Pop’s Malt Shoppe for Oasis, Kutztown Strong, and COCA.
There is also Oasis, a time for middle schoolers to hang out at the Library on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Read more next issue.
Nov. 11, is the Brain Drain program held at the Kutztown Middle School Commons starting at 7 p.m. Speakers will discuss the effects of a concussion on the brain and discuss the long term effects drugs have on the brain.
“This informational program is to educate students, parents and the community at large about how delicate our brain is,” said Kutztown School District nurse Brenda Loeb. “Brains are not fully developed until age 25, and when you introduce drugs and alcohol (no matter how much or how often) to the brain, it will impair brain development. The longer you can keep your child drug and alcohol free the less likely they will become an alcoholic or drug addict.”
A bedroom scene will be staged by the Berks County DA Detectives to demonstrate where paraphernalia could be hidden at home.
“This part of the program will be an eye opener for most of us who are naive to how anyone can hide things in our home and we have no idea where to look,” said Loeb. “I am hoping that the Kutztown community takes the time to attend this event. We all need to work together to keep our children safe and healthy.”
Nov. 30 is a Country Line Dancing event held with the Brandywine Task Force at CJ Hummels.
“We are hoping for everyone to hear about Kutztown Strong in the community, awareness is a big key about all the good things we have to offer, taking back our park, letting kids have a safe place to hang out and do fun activities,” said Melissa Nolte, Kutztown Strong Public Relations member.
“Many people are working behind the scenes such as Hugh Smith, Kelley Neyhart, Merry Schlegel, Carol Angstadt, Cathy Dill, and so forth,” said Nolte. “Many within our groups are working together getting things done.”
“With constant evolution it just keeps growing,” said Kris Tuerk, KMS art teacher.
“It’s pretty incredible how the community stepped up,” said Josh Chambers, KHS teacher. “It reminds you of how many creative people we have in this community.”
“It’s such a powerful feeling, it’s like riding a wave,” said Metrick. “This is our chance to really make a difference.”
“We have such a giving community,” said Metrick. “We had such a tremendous outpouring from our community I don’t think you’d get everywhere.”
One of the ways Kutztown Strong works with students, in addition to offering free events, is through their own newspaper.
Hugh Smith, Kris Tuerk, Josh Chambers, and Adam Berrigan are working with students through the Cougar Chronicles, previously called Kutztown Krickett, http://www.kasd.org/files/1647187/chronicle%20issue%202.pdf. Second issue has been printed. Students voted on the new name.
“The kids went crazy for it,” said Chambers.
Students were asked to respond to the theme “Be a Star, Say No to Drugs,” submitting numerous drawings, stories, movie reviews, photo essays and more.
“We’re telling the kids, celebrate yourself. Tell us what makes you a good person. Why do you care?” said Chambers. “From that we’ve gotten great articles. The Outdoors Club wrote a piece about getting outside, enjoying nature. Leo Club will be writing some pieces about why it’s good to do charity work, how paying it forward is just such a necessary part of being a good citizen. And the art work by the elementary kids.”
“What makes this so important is that it’s being driven by the kids. They’ve taken the reins; we’re facilitators,” said Chambers, noting that much of the content is healthy alternatives, being smart, being proactive, paying it forward. “It’s spreading through the high school and the middle school and elementary school.”
Also in the second issue are healthy ideas for Halloween and other articles that are helpful for parents.
“We’re out to educate the parents,” said Tuerk.
“It really embraces everyone,” said Metrick.
For more information visit www.kutztownstrong.com.