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Berks PRIDE
What is Berks PRIDE?
Berks PRIDE is a "peer-to-peer" alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention program designed to encourage youth to live drug-free lives through song, dance and dramatic skits. Berks PRIDE encourages students to make healthy choices. The Berks PRIDE goal is to help others be drug-free through example and peer leadership. PRIDE includes students in middle and high schools.
National PRIDE is a special program that is part of an international drug prevention program for youth in elementary, middle and high school as well as college. Through a team structure, PRIDE encourages students to reach out to their friends, younger students and the community with an assertive drug-free message.
Young people are invited to become members of a team. They initiate drug-free activities in school and in the community. They also conduct motivational performances for peers, younger children and community audiences.
Berks PRIDE's Philosophy
The Berks PRIDE philosophy is based on four key principles:
Youth deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential without alcohol or drugs.
Youth are capable people who, with proper guidance and direction, can become dynamic leaders.
Peer-to-peer prevention strategies can reduce the use of alcohol and drugs.
Prevention of alcohol and drug use is the responsibility of all members of the community.
Berks PRIDE Team Member Benefits
The PRIDE program builds on positive peer power, leadership, teamwork and effective communication skills. It is a rewarding experience and provides an opportunity for all members to learn group interactive skills.
The Berks PRIDE team structure builds student planning and organizational skills. A system of elected leaders and committees encourages members to work as a team. All members serve on at least one committee and help to make decisions.
Berks PRIDE Activities
Team members make motivating presentations using song, dance and active learning techniques to convey relevant and appealing drug-free messages. They plan and conduct drug-free activities for school and community. They perform various community service and school service activities as part of their membership in the PRIDE program. The Berks PRIDE performing troupe brings a motivational drug-free message to more than 10,000 youth and community members every year and the demand continues to increase.
Berks PRIDE Teams
High School Teams: Reading HS, Conrad Weiser HS, Muhlenberg HS, Oley Valley HS, Schuylkill Valley HS, Exeter HS.
Middle School Teams: Southwest MS, Southern MS, Northwest MS, Northeast MS, Exeter MS, Conrad Weiser MS, Muhlenberg MS, Oley Valley MS, Schuylkill Valley MS.
Dance Team: Based at GoggleWorks Center for the Performing Arts.
Berks PRIDE Staff
If you are interested in finding out more about Berks PRIDE, please contact PRIDE staff at 610-376-8669 or via e-mail.
Sonia Santiago - Prevention Specialist/PRIDE Advisor
Ashley Frankhouser - PRIDE Program Consultant
Carlos M. Martinez, Jr. - PRIDE Program Consultant/Team Choregrapher
Chantel Walker - PRIDE Program Consultant
Rebecca D. Reinhart - Prevention Program Supervisor
Berks PRIDE Schedule
Please check the PRIDE calendar for weeks of practice - teams practice on rotating weeks.
Mondays: Oley & Exeter, Reading HS
Tuesdays: Conrad Weiser, Northeast MS
Wednesdays: Muhlenberg, Southern MS
Thursdays: Schuylkill Valley, Southwest MS
Fridays: Northwest MS
Berks Beat and Members of the Month
Berks Beat is the official monthly newsletter of Berks PRIDE. The most recent issues are available online. Check out the PRIDE members of the month in each edition.The following editions are available: July 2008, June 2008, May 2008, April 2008
City Clean Up at Barbee's Park
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Goggle Zone Camp
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Pagoda Lock-In
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Fort Indiantown Gap Leadership Training Camp
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Soberstock 2008
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City of Reading Clean Up #1
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Peace in the Streets Rally
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GoggleWorks Performance
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Berks PRIDE Members Receive Caron Awards
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Alvernia College Creativity Camp
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Berks Peace Initiative Performance
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PRIDE Fund Raiser at Friendly's Restaurant
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Berks PRIDE members spent August 8 cleaning up Barbee's Park in Reading. The youth volunteered their time to help prepare the park for the Weed and Seed Anti-Drug March. 
Berks PRIDE provided service to youth in the community at the Goggle Zone Camp August 4-8. The PRIDE members assisted the children at the camp with arts and crafts projects throughout the five-day camp. This camp was held at the Goggle Works Center for the Arts in Reading.
Berks PRIDE spent the night of July 18-19 inside the Pagoda. This drug-free lock-in event was held from 6pm-8am. The team enjoyed a night of music, board games, food, and fun.
Twenty-four Berks PRIDE members successfully completed the leadership training camp held at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, PA. The camp was held July 22-25, 2008.
Berks PRIDE finished the rigorous U.S.Army obstacle course at the Gap.
Teamwork activities were held during camp. The primary purpose of the camp was for the youth to be educated in the Project Toward No Drug Abuse (PTND) curriculum. The teen trainers will be teaching PTND at an overnight prevention camp this fall at the South Mountain YMCA Camp.
PRIDE members also had time for some fun. During the week-long camp they held a talent show, as well as choreography and acting workshops.
Berks PRIDE members volunteered their time at Soberstock on July 12. The event was held at the Reinholds Fire Company Fairgrounds. The team members provided prevention information to attendees of the festival. The team also performed a dance to "Stayin' Alive" at the conclusion of the all-day drug-free rock concert.
Berks PRIDE cleaned up the streets of Reading on June 30. This is the first of three day-long community service projects for the team. The youth are pictured at far left before the clean-up started, and near left, when they were finished.The Berks PRIDE youth received supplies for the clean-up from the City of Reading. The United Way of Berks County provided lunch. Thank you to everyone who helped out! The next clean-up is Saturday, July 19.
Berks PRIDE performed at the Peace in the Streets rally at City Park on June 28.
Berks PRIDE performed at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts on June 21. The team also shared alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention information to everyone in attendance.
Two Berks PRIDE members received Unsung Hero Awards at the Caron Awards Breakfast in June 2008. Pictured left to right are Berks PRIDE members Chantel, Marta, Carlos Martinez (Unsung Hero recipient), Ashley Zellers (Unsung Hero recipient), and Noriette Suarez.
Berks PRIDE trainers taught Refusal Skills to youth at the Alvernia College Creativity Camp on June 17. The trainers also led the youth in icebreaker games and other team-building activities.
Berks PRIDE performed at the Berks Peace Initiative event May 3 in City Park. The team provided alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention information to attendees of the event. Team members are pictured with Courage, the Drug Free Lion.
Berks PRIDE team members volunteered at a fund raiser at Friendly's Restaurant in West Lawn on May 6. A sincere thank you to the management and staff of Friendly's for helping to make the night successful! A huge thanks goes to PRIDE Advisor Sonia Santiago, as well as to all PRIDE members, families, and friends that showed up for dinner to support the team's efforts! The team will be using the money to help fund their summer activities.
