Operation Lifesaver Represented at National Conference on Teen Safety
Orlando, Fla. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) joined forces with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) at its 2013 National Conference, which has brought more than 400 youth leaders and their advisors together to tackle teen safety issues. The organization was formerly known as Students Against Driving Drunk, but has since expanded its coverage of safety issues, including those that align with Operation Lifesaver’s mission of ending collisions, injuries and deaths at grade crossings and on railroad property.
The SADD Conference, running June 22–25, is unique in that it is planned by young people for young people. Through more than 30 workshops, motivational speakers and skill-building activities, attendees are exploring new ways to deal with critical issues facing teens today, including driving and traffic safety, substance abuse and suicide prevention.
OLI’s transit representative, Cathy Gillen, spoke on a panel hosted by the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS). The session, geared specifically toward traffic safety, was designed to empower attendees to help save lives through various outreach campaigns. Gillen and representatives from Florida Operation Lifesaver were also on hand not only to help spread OLI’s core messages, but to recruit new teen volunteers.
“Operation Lifesaver strongly values its relationship with teen safety organizations like SADD and NOYS,” said Joyce Rose, OLI’s president and CEO. “The teen years are when students are in the most intensely social period of their lives, and their cell phones, smart phones and tablets are as vital to them as breathing. This is why Operation Lifesaver wants to get its rail safety message to middle and high school students. We want to teach safe behaviors at railroad crossings and around railroad tracks even before a teen begins to drive. We salute the teen leaders at SADD’s 28th National Conference and thank them for taking the ‘Stay Focused, Stay Alive’ message back to their peers in their respective communities.”
Each year, Operation Lifesaver's network of trained volunteers conduct free programs and activities centering on rail safety education for hundreds of groups around the country, including school children and community organizations. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with OLI, visit www.oli.org/training/volunteer-for-oli.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver's mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety. Learn more at http://www.oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
