From Rotary Club of Wellesley:
The Rotary Club of Wellesley has announced its Peer Leadership and Emotional Wellness project, partnering with the Rotary Club of San Juan in Puerto Rico.
“The objectives of the program are to enhance emotional health and wellness in the youth population of greater San Juan and Wellesley,” according to Robert Anthony, project manager for the Wellesley club. He explained that the program will promote emotional health by “providing kids access to activities that improve coping skills and knowledge so they may better balance the weight of life’s worries.”
The Rotary Club of Wellesley meets every Tuesday night. Its mission is to provide programs and services designed to enhance and improve life in the community, the nation and the world. Rotary clubs may be best known for preventing polio; this project is a step toward preventing anxiety and depression. On October 7, the club hosts a meeting at 6pm in the Wellesley College Club; all are welcome to attend.
The Rotary Club of San Juan wellness project manager is Dr. Johnny Rullan, former Director of Health for Puerto Rico.
Anthony said the program, which replicates the wellness project started last year by the Rotary Club of Wellesley, “will help to head off future problems by working with teen mentors to reach youth between the ages of 8 to 15.” Up to 15% of the population experiences depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
On September 14, nineteen teens from Wellesley, Weston, Sherborn and Natick launched the Wellesley Interact club and attended training to become mentors for the project. Seven are pictured: David Michael, Nathan Chiu (Wellesley Interact club President), Teddy Sevilla (Vice-president), Harman Bharj (Director), Joey Kinyanjui (Director), Thomas Capozzi (Director) and Nicole Frontero (Secretary).
