Earlier this month at the PRIDE youth programs National conference in Toledo Ohio, Rochester PRIDE was honored with the Team of the Year award.

Rochester PRIDE was up for the award along with three other teams from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Northern Michigan. The award is presented to the teams that involve themselves in their communities and keep their teams active through service community activities, and team-bulding.

PRIDE youth Programs is a national peer-to-peer teen prevention group, focused on education and action in the areas of drug, alcohol, tobacco and violence prevention. Pride youth programs just celebrated their 35th anniversary this year.

Rochester PRIDE was formed in 2007 and involves middle school and high school students from Rochester and surrounding areas. Schools that are represented include Rochester High, Adams High, Utica High, International Academy, and Reuther Middle School. They are focused on four pillars of PRIDE, which include drug education, community outreach, alternative activities, and community service. They have worked with and received support from local community groups including Rochester and Rochester Hills Kiwanis, Rochester Optimists, Rochester Juniors Woman’s League, the Upper Room and the First Congregational Church of Rochester.

Next year’s national conference destination has not yet been chosen, but Rochester PRIDE would like to take their entire team next year, as they will play a prominent role in the conference as Team of the Year.

If you are interested in joining Rochester PRIDE or an individual community group that would like to support Rochester PRIDE, please contact Jennifer Fortress at jenfortress3@yahoo.com.