The Wichita Mayor’s Youth Council will host an event for teens to promote Alcohol Awareness Month and demonstrate that fun activities do not have to involve alcohol or drugs. “Alcohol-Free Jamboree” will be held from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday, April 15 at Linwood Recreation Center, 1901 S. Kansas St.
The event is open to youth in grades 8 through 12 and will include free games, movies, athletic events, and other activities in the recreation center and on the south side of Linwood Park. The event will encourage guests to make positive life decisions, surround themselves with supportive peers and adults, and avoid alcohol and drug use.
Food will be provided to the first 100 youth in attendance. The Jamboree is sponsored by Mirror, Incorporated, the City of Wichita’s City Manager’s Office, and the Park & Recreation Department.
“We really look forward to the community’s support during Alcohol Awareness Month and at our first-ever Alcohol-Free Jamboree,” Rachael Miner, Prevention and Wellness Consultant at Mirror, Incorporated, said. “It is important for us to work together to prevent underage drinking and drug use in our community and encourage youth to engage in safe activities.”
On Tuesday, Mayor Jeff Longwell proclaimed April 2016 as Alcohol Awareness Month to highlight the dangers of underage drinking and to support prevention, research, education, intervention, treatment, and recovery from alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. Alcohol Awareness Month has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987.
The Wichita Mayor’s Youth Council was established in 2008 to provide youth with the opportunity to weigh in on community issues and learn about City government, while impacting their peers and communities through community education and direct service activities. It is jointly administered by the City of Wichita and Mirror, Incorporated with funding from Spirit AeroSystems and the City’s Special Liquor Tax Fund.
