New Bedford Youth Initiative Aims
to Build Healthy Adults

A new program designed to build a stronger, more unified community of young adults has come to the Greater New Bedford Area. The Greater New Bedford Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Initiative launched in late May. The initiative focuses on “the positive ways we can come together to form a strong network to help young people not only succeed in their lives, but really flourish,” said Linda Bodenmann, Chief Operating Officer for Southcoast Hospitals Group.

Southcoast Hospital’s Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention (RAPPP) program sponsors the initiative, which is based on a national model created by the nonprofit Search Institute. The model currently is being implemented in high-risk areas across the country.

The program emphasizes the “40 Developmental Assets.” These include self-esteem, decision making, conflict resolution, encouragement and goal setting.

All members of the community can get involved, including families, schools, municipal organizations, businesses and youth-outreach workers. The goal is to create a positive message for local youth.

“The more consistent the messages are coming from the adults who interact with our young people, the more powerful an impact it will have on our society,” said Cindy Guilbeault, Coordinator of Southcoast’s RAPPP youth advocacy program.

“It’s not a quick fix,” she continued, “but a learned behavior that over time will encourage young people to choose positive paths and grow up to be competent, caring and responsible adults.”