In this issue, you'll read:
WYN's Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Contra Dance
Kidstock IV is May 20th
After School Kids in Action
WYN's Prevention Program Welcomes New Employee
WYN's Avery Country Mentoring Program is Growing
Dare to Discover the Magic of WYN

WYN's Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Contra Dance

WYN is excited to announce that National Volunteer Week is April 23-29, 2006!

Western Youth Network will be hosting the 2006 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Contra Dance on Saturday, April 22nd to recognize all of our dedicated volunteers who have made valuable contributions to the High Country's youth and families. WYN would not exist if it weren't for the hard work of our gracious volunteers who put over 20,000 hours each year into helping the youth and families of the High Country. The 2006 Volunteer Dinner will include excellent food donated from local restaurants, and for after dinner entertainment, a live band and contra dancing!

The 2006 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Contra Dance will take place from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. and will be held at the High Country Home Builders Association Banquet Hall located on the 105 bypass.

WYN is looking forward to the chance to show gratitude to our selfless volunteers and have some fun! For more information, directions, or to RSVP, please contact WYN's AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Dusty Teng at tengd@westernyouthnetwork.org or 828-264-5174.

Kidstock IV is May 20th

WYN is excited to announce the presentation of Kidstock IV in conjunction with Parent to Parent Family Support Network of the High Country! Kidstock is a unique opportunity for youth and families of the High Country to enjoy a fun-filled day of entertainment and activities for all ages. Activities will include crafts, a climbing wall, air walk games, a battle of the bands, and tons of great food from vendors in the community!

Kidstock IV will be held on May 20th at Watauga High School from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is $3 per adult and $2 per child or $10 for a family (children under 2 are admitted free of charge). All proceeds will benefit Western Youth Network and Parent to Parent Family Support Network of the High Country.

Please come out and enjoy a day of music, food and fun!

As Kidstock planning is ongoing, please contact Jennifer Grubb at grubbj@westernyouthnetwork.org if you are interested in being a vendor, sponsor, and/or volunteer.

After School Kids in Action

On Monday, April 3rd, youth from the WYN After School Program's western site visited with Tom Lanier of Aisling Broadcasting to record an advertisement for Kidstock IV. Lizzy, Ethan, and Yasmine did a wonderful job recording the announcement, and they learned a great deal about the career of broadcasting.

At the same time, several students from the eastern site program partnered with the ASU Wesley Foundation to plan a menu, prepare food, and deliver a meal to the Hospitality House of Boone.

We are very proud of our participants who worked so diligently (and even missed tutoring!) to provide this service to their community.

WYN's Prevention Program Welcomes New Employee

On April 18th, Nicole Hiegl became the newest member of the WYN team. She is serving as the Program Coordinator for the Prevention Program's Project Venture initiative. Nicole brings a wealth of experience in outdoor experiential education, as a current coordinator of the ACES program at Bethel School and former trip leader with the Trails Wilderness School in Wyoming. Nicole has led trips to Wyoming, British Colombia, Washington, and Costa Rica over the past 3 seasons with the Trail Wilderness School. Additionally, she has worked for 1 year with a wilderness program called SUWS of the Carolinas. Nicole is a wilderness first responder and possesses a teaching certification in secondary education.

We are all very excited to welcome Nicole to WYN, and believe that she will accomplish many exiting things for our youth during her time here.

WYN's Avery Country Mentoring Program is Growing

Since 2001, WYN's Governor's One-On-One Mentoring program has been serving Avery County youth. Until recently, the program was slow-growing and had a difficult time finding mentors as well as youth. Under the leadership and careful direction of Program Director, Angela McMann, however, the program is making steady and consistent growth. There are now 6 active matches in Avery County, and interest in the program continues to grow!

If you are interested in volunteering or know a child who would benefit from the program, please contact Angela McMann at mcmanna@westernyouthnetwork.org or 828-264-5174.

Dare to Discover the Magic of WYN