Mayor's Youth Commission and the APRD create 20-day challenge to combat negative peer pressure

Every year, the Arlington TX Mayor's Youth Commission picks a theme to focus on in order to make a difference in the community. For 2013, the commission decided on: "SUPP' (Stand Up 2 Peer Pressure).

THE CHALLENGE: For 20 days, the Mayor's Youth Commission and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department challenged participants to complete the daily task on each challenge banner, posted to the APRD Facebook page. Participants were encouraged to post and comment under each challenge banner what they did to conquer that day's challenge.

Center Programs Manager Yvonne Falgout said she felt it was an important issue for the community to address because kids are so often negatively affected by peer pressure, and in general, there is no one around to stand up and encourage them to rethink their decisions.

"Peer Pressure impacts everyone, young and old, and goes beyond just substance issues, Falgout said. "We want to address the person and give them the ability to recognize when something is not okay.'

The 20-day challenge generated an impressive amount of interaction from the APRD's fan base on social media. Over 1,000 "likes' and "comments' and "re-tweets' were generated by the challenge banners through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, coupled with more than 200 "shares' on Facebook.

Electronic Media Specialist Justin Snasel was behind the scenes on the social media accounts throughout the campaign and said it was fulfilling to see such support for the cause.

"We all get so consumed by our own lives that at times we often forget how much of an impact going out of your way to say"hello' to a stranger, complimenting someone, or getting off your phone when you're around another human being can have on people.' Snasel said. "It is refreshing to see so many people in our community support initiatives such as the"SUPP Challenge', and actively want to take part in activities that help make Arlington a better place to live.'

To view a full list of challenge banners, feel free to visit the "Stand up to Peer Pressure' Challenge photo album on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ArlingtonParks/photos_albums!