What is the Rusk County Youth Council?
The mission of the Rusk County Youth Council (RCYC) to combine the resources of the county for the purpose of preventing and solving the significant alcohol, drug and violence problems of our children and youth, integrating resources through communication and collaborative planning towards prevention of at-risk behavior, encouragement of health and wellness, positive youth development, and resiliency for youth ages 0-21 years and their families. Jeremy Allard, pastor of the Sheldon Church of Christ, is the president of RCYC.
The council actively seeks (but does not limit) partnerships in the following: Alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention/treatment specialists; youth; parents; minority or ethnic groups; local civic and business leaders; school officials; law enforcement officials; public health members; social services members; faith communities; media personnel; leaders of youth group organizations; others willing to carry out the mission of the RCYC.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month in the conference room of Indianhead Community Action Agency in Ladysmith from 12 – 2 pm; interested community members are encouraged to attend.
What does the Rusk County Youth Council do?
RCYC runs a two-day youth leadership camp in the summer for Rusk County youth in 7th – 10th grades. “Camp Awesome” provides leadership training and integrates skill development with fun activities, like outdoor games and making homemade pizza! Breakfast and lunch is provided, and there is no fee to participate. Contact Ruth Johnson at 715-868-2598 ext. 238 or Elva Smith at 715-532-5594 ext. 163 for more information.
Additionally, RCYC received a $350,000 grant from the state Department of Public Health to implement an effort to prevent underage drinking in Rusk County. The focus of this grant is to affect environmental factors that contribute to the county’s high rates of underage drinking, an extremely high-risk behavior due to the immediate impact it can have on people’s lives, from drinking and driving, to increased risk of adult alcoholism, and other high-risk behaviors.
RCYC has contracted with Taproot Inc., a local production company that focuses on prevention through the media arts, to film a series of three community movies addressing the problem of underage drinking in Rusk County. Our first movie was filmed in conjunction with Flambeau High School students, Deputy Sheriff Gary Hahn, County Board Supervisor Arian Knops and other community members and organizations. Our next film, scheduled for production in January 2010, will feature Bruce High School students, with the final movie including Ladysmith High School participation. Each film will focus on a different aspect of the problem of underage drinking in Rusk County. Watch our first movie below!
To find out what you can do to make Rusk County a great place for our kids, contact Gloria McGahey or Caroline Loyas at 715-532-5594 ext. 142
To report underage drinking: call your local police department, or the Rusk County Sheriff’s dispatch line: 715-532-2288
“Underage drinking is the #1 public health priority in Rusk County” – Public health supervisor Kayo Nash
Yes We Can!
Alcohol and Attitudes: Changing with the Times
Contact Us
Indianhead Community Action Agency
209 E. 3rd. St. S.
P.O. Box 40
Ladysmith, Wisconsin
54848
Phone: 715-532-5594 Fax: 715-532-5804 or E-mail