THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SAVE
GRANTS SPONSORED BY THE ALLSTATE FOUNDATION - MIDWEST

The National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is proud to partner with the Allstate Foundation in the Midwest Region to support youth safety efforts of students through their SAVE Chapters.

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote safe and vital communities; tolerance; inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream. Additional information on the Allstate Foundation can reviewed at www.allstate.com/foundation.

2010-2011

National SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) in partnership with The Allstate Foundation are sponsoring three schools and chapters in the Midwest Region in an effort to promote teen driver safety awareness in America's youth. A $10,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation will allow National SAVE and The Allstate Foundation's Teen Safe Driving program to be implemented in selected schools, chapters, community agencies or related programs. Emphasis is to be placed on the hazards of texting and driving, cellphone related accidents and other dangers facing Generation Z's youth.

PRESS RELEASE: Students Against Violence Everywhere Receives $10,000 Grant from The Allstate Foundation to Promote Teen Safe Driving in the Midwest Region ~ September 9, 2010

Participating schools/agencies:

• Mukwonago High School, Mukwonago, WI
  In light of several fatal traffic accidents that have affected the students at Mukwonago High School, the student body will be especially receptive to the chapter's Teen Safe Driving efforts. The group will contact the local media to make the public aware of their efforts. They will also utilize homeroom and school awareness campaigns to bring about awareness of their efforts to the student body. Most importantly, the chapter will team with other groups to promote driving safety during May when students are going to prom and graduation.

  Update: Mukwonago High School SAVE Presents: America’s Safe Schools Week from October 15, 2010 through Friday, Oct. 22nd. During the football game half-time had a balloon release in remembrance of victims of school-related violence. SAVE members wore T-shirts to commemorate the lives lost in school-related violence over the last twenty years. The MHS SAVE Chapter conducted lunch pledge sign-ups with lollipop and message and purple and orange bead giveaway. SAVE members created a chalk mural on the front sidewalks, held a "Stand UP to Bullying" assembly during homeroom on Wednesday - National SAVE Day, held lunch contests in Tuesday and Thursday, and on Friday: Orange and Purple day - the first hour class with the highest percentage of orange and purple wins a treat from SAVE. For the Rock-a-Thon! SAVE members collected pledges then teamed up to “rock” the night away (in rocking chairs).
  
  

  For Teen Safe Driving, in January MHS will have a poster campaign warning of the dangers of distracted driving. In addition a school-wide homeroom on January 28th to play a fifteen minute video on driving while texting. For February, a Safe Driving Video Contest will take place with 1st Place winning $100 & FAME! (Broadcast on the SAVE facebook site as well as at the MHS safe driving assembly in the spring), 2nd Place: $75 and 3rd Place: $50.
  

  In our years of conducting National SAVE Week activities as well as Teen Safe Driving, the student body has come together in our efforts to raise awareness of safe driving, bullying, and other violence prevention. Of our near-1800 students, several hundred signed pledge cards during their lunches. Many classes participate in orange and purple day, and purple and orange-clad students speckled the school that Friday. Our entire student body has become familiar with SAVE and its purpose, and has become quite supportive of our efforts, which is evident in our ever-increasing chapter enrollment. The district itself has also become more involved in anti-bullying efforts. I currently serve on a district “Climate Committee,” which is working towards surveying staff, parents, and students in February to get a feel for perceptions about bullying and harassment. Jim Jelinske, motivational speaker regarding the impact of bullying, spoke to students and staff in February regarding bullying and harassment prevention. Our high school group has also impacted elementary school students in our annual visits to educational fairs, classroom visits, and poster contests. We have been featured in our local newspaper, and the high school parent-teacher group has whole-heartedly supported and teamed with us in a variety of efforts.

  Spring Update: Mukwonago High School and the SAVE Chapter participated in the “Be the Change” Movement: the activities included:
  

  • February: MHS SAVE brought in the national Challenge Day program, which impacted the whole community.
    
  • “Be the Change” Week – multiple activities to promote tolerance and acceptance.
    
  • Mix-it-up at lunch.
    
  • March: Elementary school poster contest: All elementary students were invited to submit posters regarding the theme of “Keeping my School Safe.” There were over 300 entries that now line the walls of the high school. SAVE members went to the schools to present certificates and prizes to all 300 students.
    
  • April: Elementary school visits – SAVE members visited multiple district elementary schools to spread the anti-bullying message as well as encourage the star up of SAVE chapters in each elementary school, which is planned for next year.

  The SAVE Chaper initiated and performed the following activities for Teen Safe Driving:
  

  • April: Homeroom safe driving video (pre-prom)
    
  • Poster campaign warning of the dangers of distracted driving.
    
  • May: Daily announcements prior to graduation
    
  • June: Elementary students wrote letters to keep safe to each graduating senior (all 430), which were inserted into their diploma cover.

  Impact: While it is difficult to quantify results, Ms. Dianich, the SAVE Advisor, perhaps speaks for all SAVE Chapters which are dealing with Teen Safe Driving, bullying, and the youth of America. "In our five years of conducting National SAVE Week activities as well as others, the student body has come together in our efforts to raise awareness of bullying and other violence prevention. Of our near-1800 students, several hundred signed pledge cards during their lunches. The Challenge Day program compounded the efficacy of our message, and we’re trying to bring it back on a larger scale next year. Our entire student body has become familiar with SAVE and its purpose, and has become quite supportive of our efforts, which is evident in our ever-increasing chapter enrollment. The district itself has also become more involved in anti-bullying efforts. Our high school group has also impacted elementary school students in our annual visits to educational fairs, classroom visits, and poster contests. We have been featured often in our local newspaper, and the high school parent-teacher group has whole-heartedly supported and teamed with us in a variety of efforts. We have no concrete results of our safe driving efforts, but we feel that our messages do not fall upon deaf ears. Our students have responded to our campaigns because they know that we truly have their best interests at heart."

  Save And The Allstate Foundation Sponsor Teen Safe Driving Activities In Wisconsin ~ PR Log, November 30, 2010

  PRESS RELEASE: Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and The Allstate Foundation Sponsor Teen Safe Driving in Wisconsin, Mukwonago High School Participates ~ October 4, 2010

  SAVE Striving for Safer Schools, Mukwonago High School Are Involved... ~ Living Lake Country, October 12, 2010

  SAVE and the Allstate Foundation Sponsor Teen Safe Driving Activities in Wisconsin ~ Examiner.com, October 4, 2010

  CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT: Mukwonago High School featured in e-Source, February 2011

• North Chicago High School, Grayslake, IL
  The North Chicago High School SAVE Chapter will participate in violence prevention and back-to-school rallies. The chapter will raise awareness by posting school safety and teen driving posters throughout the school and community. The students are preparing classroom training sessions on how to avoid gangs and organizing a membership drive at middle and high schools. Students are planning and developing activities for National Youth Violence Prevention Week in March 2011. Students will participate in Daisy's Development and Resource Center's Telethon in October and conduct Teen Safe Driving activities with their local Allstate Agent and the County Coroner before prom in May 2011.
  

  Update: North Chicago has had a very productive fall. The activities have included:
  

  • The group did a session on Cyber-bullying and invited a speaker to the community. Created a Cyber-Bullying slogan (It Leaves Scars You Can’t See)
    
  • Students started Life Skills training (money management and personal safety)
    
  • Students completed the Child Lures Pre-Test to assess their level of knowledge related to sexual predators
    
  • Students started recording PSAs related to Cyber-bullying in partnership with Ripon College.
    
  • Students are working on filmed interviews about North Chicago schools and the community
    
  • Students completed brochures on suicide prevention, gun violence prevention and grief
    
  • Students attended the Student Council Leadership session
    
  • Students went on an overnight trip to Ripon college, established a partnership between North Chicago SAVE Chapter and Ripon College.
    
  • A partnership was started with the Boy Scouts of America
    
  • Created a school wide sign up (If you believe in the Principles of SAVE)
    
  • Participated in North Chicago Community Day parade and event Aug ‘10
    
  • Posted Gang awareness posters and distributed brochures
    
  • Completed building self-esteem group activities.
    
  • Conflict resolution activities
    
  • Participated with a booth at Neal Math and Science Academy’s Parent Open House.
    
  • November 30 – Cyberbullying presentation by Attorney General’s office at North Chicago High School and Neal Math and Science Academy.
    

The entire school student body’s of North Chicago High School and Neal Math and Science Academy (1,318 students + staff) received training on:

• Safe and responsible use of social networking websites, chat rooms, electronic mail, bulletin boards, and instant messaging.
  
• Recognizing, avoiding and reporting online solicitations of students
  
• Risks of transmitting personal information on the internet.
  
• Recognizing and reporting online harassment and cyber-bullying.

The Chapter contacted the Allstate Office of Anthony Sulceski, 5250 Grand Ave Ste 11, Gurnee - (847) 249-9700. He has agreed to work with the Chapter in the next few months.


The Chapter's plans for the spring include, but are not limited to:


• December 10 – SAVE Sponsored school wide dance at Neal Math and Science Academy. To attend, students must not have had any tardies, unexcused absences, or discipline infractions.
  
• Filming PSAs about the North Chicago Community Chapter of SAVE.
  
• Community Service project
  
• Poster campaigns (teen driving)
  
• T-Shirt design contest
  
• Continued Life Skills training (resumes, job seeking, college, health)
  
• Domestic Abuse Valentine’s
  
• Establish partnership with Lake Forest College to increase student exposure to the future
  
• Parent meeting/Family holiday party
  
• Conducting Technology surveys through “Speak Up” for a Community Service Project (http://www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2010/)
  

Spring Update: The North Chicago Community Chapter has been very active in a multitude of areas this year. The activities include the following:


• Ripon College Visit/ Creation of Brochures – Suicide Prevention, Dealing with Grief, Gun Safety Year two of a partnership with Ripon College. Students heard from young speakers who had dealt with violence and loss first hand. SAVE students then worked with college students and the director of Publications to create brochures on Gun Safety, Dealing with Grief and Suicide Prevention. Students also had a tour of the campus and had small group sessions with college students.

• Student Council Leadership Training – SAVE students attended a training by a national group on how to be effective group leaders. Our students have instituted the practices they learned. The favorite is N/3 where students vote for the ideas they like best.

• Betsy O’Connell – Domestic Abuse speaker – A Safe Place is a local domestic violence shelter. Ms. O'Connell spoke to the students and provided the group with posters for the “Stall Project”.

• Sarah Migas – Cyber Bullying Speaker – Sarah is a presenter from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. She presented to the entire 7th – 12th grade (1,500 students) population of North Chicago about the dangers of Cyber Bullying.

• Georgia Vazquez – Sexual Abuse Speaker – Zacharias Center is a local sexual abuse center. Georgia presented to our students on boundaries and supporting friends who may want to disclose. Georgia also helped us develop the “Stall Project”.

• Started a YouTube channel – NCCCSAVE and NCCCSAVE@gmail.com

• Created a new chapter logo – Shadezja Garrett, Chapter Co-President and YABber is also an artist. She created a SAVE logo for the North Chicago Community Chapter and the other students loved it. The chapter now uses that logo in conjunction with the National SAVE logo to help the students feel special, empowered and proud.

• Cyber Bullying Public Service Announcement (radio) – Students created the slogan “Cyber Bullying leaves scars you can’t see” and everyone contributed a line to the radio PSA.

• Cyber Bullying Public Service Announcement (cartoon) – Students created storyboards for different Cyber Bullying PSAs. Through the use of the Go-Animate program the students were able to create the first (of maybe a series) cartoon.

• Fish Bowl – A regular activity to discuss what it means to be a teen. Students submit anonymous questions which are then addressed and discussed. The chapter tackled issues about teen dating, issues with parents and a special session on positive ways to deal with emotions. The school social worker, April May, helped with this session.

• Lessons on Personal Safety – The students discussed ways to empower themselves. Having a whistle, knowing their social security numbers, etc.

• Lunch time Recruitment – The chapter recruited students by having them sign a pledge that they agree with the principles of SAVE

• Alex – Group Mascot/Ambassador – The students decided that stuffed animals make students feel better so the students adopted a group of stuffed animals for the chapter. At the end of the year the toys will go to the students. One stuffed animal in particular is a Teddy Bear, named him Alex in honor of Alex Orange. He travels with us when the students make presentations.

• Girl Wise Conference – Attended and hosted Resource Booth – An annual conference that encourages girls (middle and high school) to be positive and healthy. The SAVE students hosted a booth where all 75 attendees and the adults stopped by to meet Alex, learn how to start their own SAVE chapter and watch the cartoon. The girls then participated in the conference by attending the workshops which included self defense, money management and a presentation on Cyber Bullying by Sarah Migas.

• Community Service – Lake County television show – 4 SAVE students represented the chapter by discussing SAVE on a local community cable access show, hosted by their chapter advisor, Miss Cherri. (available for viewing on YouTube)

• 3 School Dances at Neal Math and Science Middle School – These dances were open only to students who had signed a pledge of non-violence and had no suspensions or detentions.

• Gang Awareness Training – All middle school and high school students participated in a presentation about alternatives to gang involvement and how to avoid gang violence

• Teen Driving Safety Posters – Students developed posters to address “distracted” driving, primarily the use of cell phones to text message while driving. These posters were included in the “Stall Project”
  
  

  
  

• The “Stall Project” – Posters regarding safe driving, healthy relationships and emotional health were placed in girl’s bathroom stalls throughout North Chicago Community High School.

  
  

• May 14 - White House Young American Roundtable – Students will address their concerns about education and safety in North Chicago. A representative from the Administration will take their concerns and solutions back to the White House to be compiled in an e-book available to communities across the country.

• May 16 – Drunk Driving Activity (with goggles and remote control cars) and finding new homes for the adopted stuffed animals.

• May 23 - Allstate Agent Presentation - on safe driving and the importance of focusing on the road when driving. His presentation will serve as the jumping off point for our next live-action PSA.
  


• Partnership with Boy Scouts
  
• Partnership with Boys and Girls Club
  
• Partnership with Lake Forest College
  
• Partnership with YouthBuild Lake County
• Allstate Agent Participation: Anthony Sulceski of 5250 Grand Ave Ste 11, Gurnee - (847) 249-9700. He will present to the chapter on 05/23 about the dangers of driving while distracted. He will also be attending the end of the year party as a special guest.

  
  

• PRESS RELEASE: Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and The Allstate Foundation Sponsor Teen Safe Driving in Illinois, North Chicago High School Participates ~ October 4, 2010

  CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT: North Chicago High School featured in e-Source, January 2011

• Zion Benton High School, Zion, IL
  As part of the Allstate Teen Safe Driving activities at Zion-Benton Township High School, the Honorable Judge Jorge Ortiz will present a lecture on teen safe driving to the student body. This is part of the Rosalind Franklin Mentoring Program in conjunction with SAVE and the Allstate Foundation.

  Update: Judge Ortiz spoke on the topic of teen driving; specifically cases involving teen drivers and the severe legal consequenses resulting from texting/using cell phones, driving while impaired and speeding.

  Spring Update: In addition to Judge Ortiz, the SAVE Chapter at Zion Benton held a presentation on "Teens and Date Violence" with Ms. Betsy O'Connell, Senior Youth and Communtiy Educator, as the main speaker. At both presentations, the Chapter displayed X the Text kit materials and information along with teen safe driving materials on the main school bulletin board.

  
  

  
  

  SAVE And The Allstate Foundation Sponsor Teen Safe Driving Activities In Illinois ~ PR Log, November, 30, 2010

• PRESS RELEASE: Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and The Allstate Foundation Sponsor Teen Safe Driving in Illinois, Zion-Benton Township High School Participates ~ October 26, 2010

Through the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), The Allstate Foundation is sponsoring 5 schools in the Midwest in their efforts to promote youth safety. A $10,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation will allow the SAVE program to be implemented in five schools or community agencies in the Midwest and awareness campaigns will be conducted during key times of the year throughout the region.

Participating schools/agencies:

• Mukwonago High School, WI
  In light of the recent deaths of 3 of our students to a tragic traffic accident, our student body will be especially receptive to our Teen Safe Driving efforts. We will contact the local media to make the public aware of our efforts. In addition, we will use homeroom and school rallies to bring about driving awareness. Most importantly we will team with other local groups who work towards improving driving safety during May and prom.
  

  Update: During January our chapter conducted a Teen Safe Driving Poster Campaign warning of the dangers of distracted driving. In addition, we organized a school-wide homeroom on January 28th to play a fifteen minute video on driving while texting. February was the month for our Safe Driving Video Contest: 1st Place: $100 & FAME! Broadcast on the SAVE facebook site as well as at the MHS safe driving assembly in the spring. In April: we had the Teen Driving Safety Rally April 19th – 22nd “Come to our table at lunch and sign our Safe Driving Pledge - every signed pledge receives a treat and an entry into a drawing for $20 gas cards, car washes, MHS key rings and flash drives, and movie, food, and bowling certificates!" Our chapter used the intercom system to announce a morning daily trivia question on safe driving. Answers were posted at lunch. The first place video in the safe driving video contest was displayed during our homeroom on Friday – the winners... our fine student film makers, Paul Saladino and Alec Pieper

• Wilmot High School, WI
  Wilmot High School is participating in the North Chicago Community Day activities and is presenting at the Pantherfest in September 2009 and the Panther Expo in 2010. We are developing activites for the National Youth Violence Prevention Week, National Safe Schools Week and possibly the SAVE Mini-Summit. The Wilmot SAVE Chapter will be collaborating with the local Allstate Agent and the County Coroner prior to the prom in May of 2010. Our chapter will also make a presentation at Randall Elementary School to show elementary students why they should not get into a car when the driver has been drinking.
  

  Update: The Wilmot Union High School SAVE Chapter attended the SAVE Mini-Summit at Ripon College in Ripon Wisconsin and distributed the Allstate brochure on driver tips (when the driver is stopped by police). We attemped to collaborate with our local Allstate Agent and created a schoolwide poster campaign for Teen Safe Driving Month. We made a presentation at Randall Elementary School on why not to get into a car when the driver has been drinking alcohol. And we had a future Wilmot SAVE member, and a current Randall SAVE Chapter member participate on Saturday, October 17th with the Daisy’s Resource Center telethon which was televised on Comcast. The Telethon was hosted by JoMarie Payton better known as Harriette Winslow from “Family Matters” and the voice of Suga Mama on Disney’s “The Proud Family”.

• North Chicago High School, IL
  North Chicago High School will join with Wilmot High School in participating in the North Chicago Community Day activities. Our Chapter will be working on and participating in the Daisy's Development and Resource Center's Telethon in October. During the telethon we will present the SAVE program via Comcase Cable's local channel. The National Youth Violence Prevention Week and the National Safe Schools Week are events in which we are participating and developing activities. North Chicago will also work with the local coroner and Allstate agents prior to prom in May to help reduce teen drinking and driving after prom.
  

  Update: The North Chicago High School SAVE Chapter created a Poster Campaign for the month of May in regards to supporting the National Youth Traffic Safety month. Our poster campaign was such a success, we expanded the poster campaign to promote Teen Driver Safety. And we participated in many anti-violence and safety activities. Among the activities was our participation in the North Chicago Community Day in 2009 and the distribution of Allstate brochures on tips for when you have been stopped by the police to the student body with emphasis placed on seniors. The Chicagoland area has been experiencing higher levels of violence overall. To try to help curb these activities in the North Chicago community on a local level, the SAVE Chapter was presented with self help skills that will help them to be able to have better decision making skills and to create career goals with 10-year life plans. The group has produce violence prevention messaging through a two-minute public service announcement that airs on Comcast cable. Brochures on how to get out of a gang and other prevention materials were developed. Violence prevention pledges were collected from every middle school student (375-400) and classroom presentation were made by chapter members to every class are just some of the activities.

• Thornton High School, IL
  Update:We are using the funds from the Allstate Grant in a multi-faceted design to reduce violence and increase teen driver awareness. Our plans include but are not limited to: working on the Victim’s and Service Walls; a teddy bear, mittens, gloves and hat drive for the St. Clemente Church; work with the Black Start Project; the Youth Summit at Olive Harvey College; participate in the Autism Walk-2010; and create a driver safety demonstration prior to Prom to increase teen driver awareness amongst our juniors and seniors. We are sending invitations to Mrs. Obama to attend our school and be a guest speaker as Mr. Obama was in 2007.

• Zion-Benton Township High School, IL
  Update: We had an after school program featuring a Zion police officer, who spoke on safe driving habits. She presented the rules according to the law and cited many situation in which teens have found themselves involved in which had disastrous outcomes. She also showed a film where teens had made mistakes which caused someone to lose their life. We plan to expand our driving safety presentation for spring Prom.