Dedication of STEPS Tree- June 26, 2012

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 5:30 pm at Recreation Park of Southington
Rain Date: June 28, 2012.

The whole town is invited to join a landmark event in Southington as the growing STEPS coalition and the Youth Council of Southington celebrate a uniquely symbolic tree at Recreation Park of Southington.

“STEPS” is a clever acronym for Southington’s Town-wide Efforts to Promote Success, a community coalition aimed at developing healthy and successful youth.

STEPS has grown vigorously mainly because the concept is so simple and so right and because it has the proactive support of many who voluntarily support and represent virtually every sector of the town.

The idea took life  several years ago in response to a tragic series of teen suicides in Southington.

But, much work had to be done to develop the idea, get strong local support and available public funding for the drug prevention aspect of the major paradigm shift that is STEPS.  

Today, across the town, there ares a growing number of organizations, businesses and professional groups, parents, students, schools, faith congregations, law enforcement and safety groups who have come part of the STEPS coalition as Asset Building Communities (ABCs).

Last year, a group of high school and middle school students who form the STEPS Marketing and Public Relations subcommittee, (MAPS), embarked on a project aimed at planting trees throughout the town as lasting and living symbols of the mission of STEPS: "growing great kids."

With a gift from Ali’s Nursery: a Japanese Syringa Reticulata Ivory Silk Lilac tree and the help of the Town Parks & Recreation Department, the MAPS group planted its first STEPS tree last fall.
This year, MAPS approached Mathieu Memorial Monuments who donated a beautiful polished granite marker which is being engraved for STEPS, marking the first STEPS tree growing "in step" with our kids towards a healthy, successful and purposeful future.

Susan Saucier, Director of Southington Youth Services, commented:
“I hope the community will come out to the tree dedication to support STEPS and the work of our young people who made this project a reality.  It was led by our youth, start to finish.  We all need to show our pride for our children who are making Southington a better place.”

Kelly Leppard, Southington Youth Prevention Coordinator, said: "For a coalition that is only in the fourth year of its existence and year three of our Drug Free Communities Grant, we’re starting to see real changes in our community, from making kids a priority, to working together as a community to make Southington a great place to grow great kids. The tree is a symbol of our dedication and determination to continue our efforts into the future."

Among the invited are Town and Board of Education officials, business and professional groups, faith congregations, charity, civic, fraternal and community service organizations who will honor the STEPS mission along with parents and students who will gather at 5:30 pm opposite the tennis courts at Rec Park, off South End Road.  Admission & Parking is Free.

After a brief dedication, the Southington Youth Council invites all who wish to join in the fun to bring their own.

Mark June 26th on your calendar. Join STEPS. No RSVP required.

Are you In?  “I’M IN!”

Contact STEPS Liaison, Kelly Leppard, at 860-276-6285 for more information.