Ask, Listen, Learn travels to Stamford, CT to show Villa Maria how to say 'YES' to a healthy lifestyle with Representative Jim Himes!
STAMFORD, CT — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) partnered with the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility’s Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix program to encourage students at Villa Maria School to “say ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking.”
Congressman Himes cheered on students as they eagerly competed for high scores in the running competition on Ask, Listen, Learn’s interactive game. The game enables middle school kids to learn about the negative consequences of underage drinking and the benefits of making healthy decisions while they exercise. The premise is based on research by Harvard Medical School’s Dr. John Ratey, showing that for a person’s brain to function at its peak, the body needs to move. The multimedia program includes a game and print materials, and the website presents a pledge to live a healthy lifestyle, online games and pages featuring Ask, Listen, Learn Superstars.
“Youth of Connecticut need to understand the decisions they make today, good or bad, could impact the rest of their life,” said Congressman Himes. “I’m proud to participate in the Ask, Listen, Learn program today in order to engage youth in a fun way while reiterating the importance of saying NO to underage drinking.”
Villa Maria School Principal, Sister Carol Ann, commended the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility’s efforts to reach her students on this key issue. “The Ask, Listen, Learn program is unique in that it engages kids on multiple levels with online materials, games, and the interactive physical game we are playing today. We’re proud to have the program here as our students are benefiting by getting some exercise and reinforcing the message that drinking alcohol underage is not a healthy decision.”
“Studies show that half (49%) of 12-14 year olds believe alcohol education has made a difference in decisions they have made to avoid drinking alcohol underage,” said Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. “It’s never too early to talk to your kids about underage drinking, which is why we’re thrilled to have Congressman Himes here to share this message with Villa Maria students.”
About Ask, Listen, Learn
Ask, Listen, Learn is the most widely distributed alcohol education program of its kind. Ask, Listen, Learn’s initiatives include Asklistenlearn.com, a website that encourages kids to “say ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking” by offering kids interactive and educational games and videos. Kids can read about positive role models and take a pledge to make healthy choices. Parents and educators are also encouraged to visit the site for tips on how to facilitate these conversations on how to talk with kids about underage drinking. Ask, Listen, Learn is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest constantly promoting a healthy lifestyle message.
About the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
Formerly known as The Century Council, the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) is a national not-for-profit that leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam, Inc.; Brown-Forman; Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Hood River Distillers, Inc.; and Pernod Ricard USA. For more than 23 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families and communities together to guide a lifetime of conversations around alcohol responsibility. To learn more, please visit us at www.responsibility.org.