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Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, where Girls Inc. of Lynn will be holding the event.
LYNN — Girls Inc. of Lynn will host its 19th annual H.A.L.T. (Healthy Alternatives for Lynn Teens) event at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute High School cafeteria Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The event serves to increase positive social norms by highlighting healthy alternatives to drinking and other risky behaviors, and inspire youths to become involved in their communities and make healthy choices.
Created by teens for teens, this free event is open to eighth through 12th grade students, including students from the Marblehead, Swampscott, and Salem communities. Youths participate in workshops focused on empowering oneself and others. The workshops are led by Girls Inc. of Lynn peer leaders and staff from other social organizations in the community. Afterward, teens are invited to enjoy international food and a pizza-tasting contest. Following dinner, teens who were nominated by their school or community organization will receive a Youth in Action Award. The night will conclude with a choice of either dancing or competing in a basketball tournament — a new addition to the event this year, made possible by a collaboration with Stop the Violence Lynn and the Lynn Police Department’s Drop-in Center.
“The H.A.L.T. event is a great opportunity to celebrate teen’s accomplishments and contributions, while providing a safe, educational, and fun space for them to hang out, be inspired, and make new friendships,” says Deb Ansourlian, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Lynn.
In addition, all chaperones attending H.A.L.T. are invited to a networking session while the teens are participating in workshops. This networking session provides an opportunity to learn about what other similar organizations in the community are doing and brainstorm ways to collaborate.
Girls Inc. of Lynn is a nonprofit organization, and an affiliate of the national Girls Inc. model. Girls Inc. of Lynn aims to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by meeting the needs of girls in the community, developing their capacity to overcome the effects of discrimination and be self-sufficient, responsible members of the community. By providing girls aged 5-18 with after-school and summer programs tailored to their needs, Girls Inc. of Lynn has served as a vigorous advocate for all girls in the surrounding North Shore communities since 1942.