9 teens arrested in bullying after Phoebe Prince hangs herself!

Do you know the 2 critical issues parents must address to protect children from bullies?

Stats...160,000 children a day skip school due to fear of a bully. Every 100 minutes a child commits suicide.

Announcement: The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook

Learn how to launch a citywide campaign to strengthen families, restore hope and build trust in your neighborhood. In the process, you and your group can reduce fear and isolation which fuels drugs, crime and violence.

Don't wait for someone else to do it. Become a community leader. Barbara in San Pablo CA saved her neighborhood and later become mayor of her city.

Be the change you want to see in your community.

For more information click on "Safe Kids Now" and read about, "Adopt-A-Block."

Are your children really safe in your neighborhood? 5 Ways to tell!

Are your children really safe in your neighborhood? 5 ways to tell.

HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
1. Ask the kids on the block if they feel safe.
2. Talk to neighbors about any neighborhood concerns.
3. Contact your police department to get statistics.
4. Check www.meganslaw.com to see if predators live in your area.
5. Hold a meeting and bring neighbors together to discuss neighborhood safety.

If you want the whole community to get involved, check out the Adopt-A-Block Guidebook at www.safekidsnow.com

Teen Suicide every 100 minutes

RECENT HEADLINES: Marie Osmond's 18 year old son jumped off his apartment balcony. Teen suicide is on the rise!

Many parents don't know the difference between normal teen depression (moodiness) and signs of suicide. Here are some of the risk factors:

- Talking or writing about dying, disappearing or types of self-harm.
- Personality changes: withdrawal from family and friends, anxious or irritable, sad, indecisive or apathetic.
- Inability to concentrate on school, work, routine tasks.
- Change in sleep, including insomnia, oversleeping and nightmares.
- Dressing down, unkempt and poor hygiene.
- Change in eating habits.
- Low self-esteem or over-whelming guilt, self-hatred or shame.
- Loss of hope, believing things will never change.
- Giving away favorite things, extravagant spending, arranging care for pets.

For more information: www.suicide.org National Suicide Prevention Center

Volunteering: Perfect for teens

Teens can gain valuable experience by volunteering. Teens can try out new things that could ignite a lifelong passion. In addition to the positive social impact of service, volunteer work looks great on a job resume or college application.

So don't hesitate! Get out there, volunteer and take your preteen or teenager. Join a group that is already making a difference. By helping your community, volunteers learn people and leadership skills and much, much more.

IDEA: How about joining a neighborhood church or civic group and presenting the "The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook." What better place to start than in your own neighborhood!

Go to www.safekidsnow.com for more information.

From Richmond CA community activist, AJ

Dear Stephanie Mann,

Thank you for your devotion to stopping violence and public safety. Your commitment in this area with information and participation makes the difference.

Opportunity, attention and expression is the way out of this dilemma. Opportunity to change must exist; how can one change if the opportunity to change does not exist?

Attention must be given to our youth before the demand to be notice. Their quest is; I am somebody, I am important, I am smart, I am going to be noticed, respected, loved, powerful, beautiful, admired, and never forgotten.

The expression is very important it says, I am different, special, unique, look at me I am somebody, I did it my way! New, innovative, excited..., Love me; Please!

When we begin to deal with these needs we will be very successful in our efforts!

Love me; Please, AJ.