By Nicole Heubusch
IMPACT is an independent, local organization that promotes healthy lifestyles and relationships. Its mission is to educate and encourage teens to live healthy lives. It works with teens through teen IMPACT, parents through their Parent Program and teachers through Classroom Education.
Teen IMPACT consists of a group of teens in high school that are committed to saying yes to healthy relationships and a positive future, and no to premarital sex, drugs, tobacco and alcohol. The Parent Program educates parents on how to talk to their children about tough topics, and the Classroom Education offers a WAIT Training (Why Am I Tempted?) and interactive lessons.
IMPACT goes into the Hillsborough County Schools and teaches a week’s worth of programs to all the students in the HOPE classes. The summer program allows it to use skits to teach these principals to local youth groups in the community.
IMPACT does not receive any federal funding, so it holds a few fundraisers every year. This coming Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 it will be holding a community yard sale to raise money for the organization. The time and place of the yard sale is to be announced. Individuals with questions, or who want to donate items to the sale can call Lead Educator and Development Director Bill Kagey at 600-9446. Individuals who would like to make a monetary donation can visit its Website and follow the “Donate” button. Keep checking www.whatisimpact.com or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/whatisimpact for updates on the community yard sale.
“This year our funds from the community yard sale will be going to our 2014 Summer Staff Team,” said Kagey. It will allow the Summer Staff Team to travel to Tampa, Lakeland, Plant City and Brandon.
This summer IMPACT is also holding a weeklong camp from Monday, July 21 through Saturday, July 26. It will be held at Camp Agape in Benton, TN. The cost is $300 plus an additional $35 if the camper wants to experience whitewater rafting. There is a $75 dollar deposit due Thursday, May 1 to secure a spot in the camp.
