To the editor:
This letter expresses Darien United’s support of the “Our Darien” campaign launched by the Thriving Youth Task Force of The Community Fund of Darien. This Campaign is vital to our community as it addresses the important issue of underage binge drinking as well as how surrounding community-wide norms can contribute to adolescent alcohol abuse.
Image from Community Fund of Darien
Parent disapproval, in the eyes of Darien High School seniors
Darien United is a coalition of youth workers representing churches in the community as well as the ministries we lead. We provide a platform of mutual collegial support and event planning in order to create safe spaces for students where they can be themselves, enjoy substance-free fun, and explore the intersection of life and faith. We are proud to be clergy members of the Thriving Youth Task Force as our missions inherently converge.
Image from the Community Fund of Darien
Why are you doing it?
In March of 2018, we hosted “Beyond Thoughts and Prayers” at Middlesex Middle School in response to the Parkland school shooting.
A panel of therapists, clinicians, and clergy facilitated a discussion with parents and students about grieving traumatic events.
Though the “Our Darien” campaign deals specifically with substance abuse, its core themes of encouraging healthy coping mechanisms and cultivating productive parent-student communication overlap powerfully with Darien United’s vision of holistic well-being for our entire community.
Many studies indicate “that youth benefit enormously when they have caring adults in their lives in addition to parents or guardians.” (Gardner, Martin, & Brooks-Gunn, 2012). Sadly, “only 20 percent of U.S. 15-year-olds reported having meaningful relationships with adults outside their family that are helping them to succeed in life (Search Institute, 2010).
Darien United joins with The Community Fund of Darien’s vital campaign in leading a wide-reaching dialogue that highlights in data and anecdote that it truly takes a village to raise a child.
Image from the Community Fund of Darien
Be their parent, not their friend.
Our students swim in the waters of high pressure and high achievement. “Our Darien” highlights how we lead the state in academics, athletics, and substance abuse.
Our town needs to consider the unsettling realities depicted by the community survey as well as the hope of what can be put in place for students and families to flourish without substances.
Darien United proudly stands with The Thriving Youth Task Force and the “Our Darien” Campaign in its cause to identify the issues plaguing our community as well as the essential components of addressing them for the sake of a Darien that truly thrives.
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Ricardo Arocha
Youth Pastor, Trinity Church
Lily Morgan
Teacher, Middlesex Middle School
Naomi Cunningham
Youth Pastor, St. Luke’s Church
Gary Morello
Pastor, Noroton Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Chris Perella
Priest, St. John Roman Catholic Church