Community Care Outreach Center (CCOC) 2352 Hospital Rd., New Roads, a non-profit 501(c)3 community-based organization, has recieved The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living 2008-2009 Community Program (TFL) Grant. CCOC has been awarded a grant in the amount of $20,000!

Funds from this grant will be used to launch DEFY, a youth empowerment movement that counters the influence of the tobacco industry and promotes tobacco-free lifestyles.

The Saturday Challenge Youth Program, which has been in existence for four years will be used as the launching point of the DEFY program and has a consistent group of teens that attend each Saturday.

They have planned and implemented service/learning projects; coordinated a hip-hop gospel concert, and written and starred in several stage productions.

DEFY Street Teams will be an addition to this program. The DEFY movement will allow teens to take the lead on these types of projects and by doing so teens will be given the opportunity to actively advocate against tobacco usage as well as the tobacco industry.

Teens will be given the oppurtunity to partcipate in Kick Butts Day at the capital and World No Tobacco Day. In addition, the youth will complete the MediaSharp program, a media literacy training that teaches youth about the deceptive marketing tactics of Big Tobacco.

The youth will then combine their previous experiences with new knowledge learned and create other activities such as assist the local elementary schools with existing projects or create new projects during Red Ribbon Week.

Youth ages 11-17 interested in becoming part of the movement can go to http://www.defythelies.com/or may contact Kerry Cushionberry or Vinston Watson at (225)618-9617 or via email at ccocdestiny2@bellsouth.net