Youth ‘Moving On’ at IU East

In its eleventh year, Moving On began its annual summer program last July. Sponsored by a $5,000 gift from Firstar, the minority enhancement program focused on “Health & Drugs: Choices We Make.” For two weeks, educators assisted students in building skills that would help them make educated decisions concerning the consequences of drug use.

Students attended class for two weeks from 8 a.m. to noon. The daily schedule consisted of reading groups, videos, lectures, group projects, and reflection through writing and sharing with breaks scheduled throughout the day.

Kumara Jayasuriva, associate professor of mathematics, worked with students on math skills while Kris Dhawale, professor of chemistry, discussed various science topics with students.

Speakers included Ike Martin Ekwealor from the Cambridge Research Group, who shared with students the classification and definition of drugs and medication. Officer Tom Porfidio from the Drug Task Force also made an appearance and explored high intensity drug trafficking areas and focused on related issues.

Learning went beyond the campus when the students took a field trip to the Juvenile Justice Center, Military Park and the NCAA Tour “Hall of Fame,” all located in Indianapolis.

Special guests also included Sue Ann Mason from Sober Life, who spoke on the challenges of sobriety, and Olin Moore from Hope House Addiction and Recovery Center in Richmond, who spoke on facing persons with addiction.