NEO - SOMETHING FOR YOUTH TO DO 2012

Neo is the youth sector of the Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County and are partnered with many local businesses and organizations to help strengthen youth and adult partnerships.

The name “NEO” came from the prefix defined as “new”. What it means to us is “a new choice”, or “a new way of thinking” around living a drug free lifestyle. 

Neo (Facebook) got started during the summer of 2008 with one adult and two youth because there was nothing to do. They knew there weren't many places open past 7p.m. that youth can go to here in Nevada County and they wanted to change that. NEO is committed to inspiring the community to create and support more youth friendly areas and drug free activities.

They are said to be the New generation of youth that will have a choice not to use drugs because there will be alternatives such as dances, concerts, movie nights, skate competitions, or anything else that they want to see happen in the community continuously for the youth by the youth. NEO also means that they recognize the pressures that you are faced with and that they have decided not to give into them. It applies to everything in life, whether it‘s the music they listen to or the way they dress. It’s about staying true to who you are even if it feels like everyone else expects something else of you.

Through NEO the local youth get the choice to be involved in planning events with an organization that’s sustainable and can make things happen. They get the choice to perform as youth musicians, dancers, artists, and leaders at venues that never could have happened before because they were too young, didn't have the money or who didn’t have the right connections. Now they get the choice to make a difference in our community and let their voices be heard about issues that they feel are important. They get the choice to make the change they want to see happen in the community to help the future generations to come. Also they get the choice because NEO has given them the chance.

NEO Strives To

• Provide fun alternatives to doing drugs
• Provide opportunities for youth to perform and take on leadership roles within the community
• Support local artists (bands, musicians, artists, DJ’s, dancers) by helping with flyers, events, and promotion through the websites
• To change the community’s perception about the youth and to collaborate more efficiently

NEO's website states.....

We’re the New generation of youth that will have a choice not to use drugs because there will be alternatives such as dances, concerts, movie nights, skate competitions, or anything else that we want to see happen in the community continuously for the youth by the youth. NEO also means that you recognize the pressures that you are faced with and that you have decided not to give into them. It applies to everything in your life, whether it‘s the music you listen to or the way you dress. It’s about staying true to who you are even if it feels like everyone else expects something else of you.