BINGHAMTON – More than 500 middle and high school students from 14 different school districts throughout Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties came together on recently for YES! Ignites, where they learned role modeling, leadership and public speaking techniques. Students will use these skills as they participate in the peer leadership program YES! LEADS.

YES! Safe Choices for Kids is a partnership between Senator Tom Libous and Lourdes Hospital. YES! works to help kids in our area learn skills they need to resist using alcohol and drugs. YES! also provides parents with useful tips and fun activities they can use as starting points in talking about substance abuse with their kids.

Senator Libous, who developed YES!, said, “I’m very excited to kick-off this year’s YES! LEADS program. These are great kids who are making a difference in our community. This training helps to develop their leadership and public speaking skills, which will help when they go into classrooms later this year. YES! LEADers are role models who are providing younger students with a good example on how to live a drug-free life.”