“It was a wonderful experience being in the WTP class. It’s cool to know that your voice can be heard…”
The Working Together Project (WTP) is a service-learning project that uses positive youth development and environmental change to increase healthy eating, physical activity, and emotional well being, and decrease high risk sexual behavior, bullying, substance use, and checking out of school.
Overview of the WTP process:
In the “Working Together Project”, middle school students and staff participate in the Assess, Investigate, and Make it happen (AIM) planning process to create healthier environments for middle school students. The process also builds important leadership and program planning skills that can ultimately benefit the broader community.
Benefits and Targeted Outcomes of the Working Together Project:
Middle school students will increase opportunities in their school for:
- students to feel more connected to school and motivated to do well
- promoting a safe and respectful school climate
- improving mental health
- healthy eating
- increased physical activity
- avoiding high risk sexual behavior
- avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
Students, teachers, and school staff will gain:
- planning and advocacy skills
- knowledge about school level evidence-based practices that lead to positive student outcomes