Prevention can mean vitamins, seat belts or exercise. It can also mean helping kids to achieve goals, feel successful and grow into resilient healthy adults. We can prevent self destructive behaviors by helping kids develop strong and appropriate problem solving skills. We can prevent social and academic failures by helping kids discover their individual strengths and self-discipline. We can help prevent violence by assisting children in understanding appropriate emotional outlets and encouraging goal setting with self-esteem. Prevention helps form a healthy community, which is good for everyone.

The Primary Intervention Program (PIP) at Orcas Island Elementary, helps kids overcome small obstacles while they are young, preventing destructive behaviors from forming. PIP assists kids in discovering their strengths, capabilities and positive problem solving skills. PIP helps kids experience success and guides them toward making healthy lifestyle choices.

You can support prevention in your community by giving to the United Way during their funding drive through the end of December 2008. Your dollars will stay in San Juan County and may even be designated for a specific supported program. Your dollars will keep PIP and many other local children’s programs alive and help many future adults to be resilient, feel competent and oriented toward success. Please support prevention. Please support United Way. Thank you.

Margie Sabine

Orcas Island PIP Director