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"FRIENDS" HISTORY
Rev. Robert K. Buckner, Sr. began
"Friends With A Better Plan" Community Action Program ("Friends") in
1987 at the Living Word Apostolic Church of University City Missouri.
This program was started as a fill-the-gap program for students during
the summer break. What began at our small Church, with a hand full
of volunteers, became a full service drug and violence prevention
agency, serving the St. Louis Public Schools. We have served
approximately 5000 youth, and now have a staff of 27 employees.
Living Word Apostolic Church is located at 501 North Hills Dr., Pasadena
Park, MO.
"Friends" is a full service youth
prevention agency, specializing in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco,
and other drugs (ATOD). Our Agency has developed a science based,
risk protective model, substance abuse and violence prevention program.
We target youth that are at significantly higher than average risk of
developing substance abuse disorders. We offer programming aimed
to prevent or drastically reduce the use/abuse of (ATOD) and its related
problems such as violence, dropping out of school, teen pregnancy, and
delinquency. We have recently expanded our services to also
include the prevention of obesity and HIV/AIDS.
Our strategies are age specific, and
culturally appropriate. Through implementation of our programming
strategies we anticipate the following outcomes:
- Decreased ATOD abuse/use
- Less favorable attitudes toward ATOD use
- Less favorable attitudes toward violence
- Reduced Aggression
- Lower Delinquency
- Lower teen car accidents due to underage drinking
- Increased parenting skills
- Increased attendance at school
- Lower absences and tardiness
- Increase student and staff bonding
- Raise graduation rate
Our dedicated staff of volunteers and
professionals, along with all of our collaborating businesses,
Universities, City, State, and other professional institutions insures
that we will accomplish our goals.
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