Yea PAVE!!

This is Katy Mitchem, I am the PAVE Assistant I have been in this position for two years and I have loved every minute of it. When I first started with PAVE I didn’t know that there were so many types of abuse, let alone how big of a problem abuse was in our community. By working with the PAVE program it has opened my eyes to situations in my life that have affected me personally in both positive and negative ways.

PAVE is group of teenagers that lead an educational program that goes into area schools in the community to teach students about violence prevention. The topics that PAVE members discuss include physical assault, neglect, sexual harassment, bullying, teen dating violence and more! The members of PAVE also help students that may have been victimized to realize that it was not their fault.

With a lot of PAVE members working and busy and trying to enjoy their freedom from school, it is often hard to get a hold of them for events, but this summer has been lousy with participation! PAVE has been very busy this summer going to conferences and doing fun things like going to the zoo. We also have up coming events such as PCAO (Prevent Child Abuse Ohio) on August 15th, the Hartford Fair on August 4th, and the Pow Wow on August 23rd & 24th. All of which PAVE members will be participating in.

With the school year approaching it is looking like a busy year again for PAVE with five schools already scheduled. We have elected new officers and even changed our program names around to more fitting titles.

PAVE is open to any high school student in Licking County who wants to make a difference in their community. PAVE is always looking for new students to join in the fun, PAVE’s orientation is Saturday September the 13th. Feel to call Jill, Jan or Katy if you’re interested at 740-522-2277. You can also email us at prevention@mhalc.org.