About 50 students and several staff members from Goshen High School and Middle School took part in the pilot CARE (Communities Acting to Refer and Engage) program. Sponsored by the Alberti Center and the Department of Homeland Security, this initiative is designed to promote community health and resilience by training students and staff with effective tools for violence prevention.
Goshen High School was one of just four schools in New York State to be awarded a grant to implement the program. The Goshen district was an ideal pilot school for this program because of a partnership with the Mental Health Association of New York, along with the help of Principal Nick Pantaleone.
Students participated in pre- and post-surveys to create a data baseline, helping to inform future training sessions and setting an example for other school districts interested in the program. The program reinforced core principles of CARE through interactive role-playing and skits, gaining valuable insights into identifying and reporting incidents of targeted school violence.
A staff training session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, aimed at educating school employees and community partners. This training will include the Village and Town of Goshen, Goshen Village Police, New York State Troopers, and the County’s Department of Emergency Services, further strengthening community collaboration for a safer and more resilient environment.
Students that participated in the training shared the following comments on their experiences:
- “I learned to get my friends to open up to me without getting them mad.”
- “I learned when and when not to say something.”
- “I learned how to address a situation calmly.”
- “I learned how to open up and talk about my feelings, also how to comfort someone during hard times.”
- “I learned how to stop and assess a situation before it turns violent.”
- “I learned how to talk to someone who may need help and what to do.”
- “I learned how to help others if they have any problems and a new perspective on these situations.”