The Phillips Middle School Hope Squad hosted a district-wide Walk 4 Hope Initiative to honor the “International Day of Hope'' on Thursday, February 17, 2022.  The focus of the walk was to bring awareness to teen suicide and mental health issues which are plaguing our communities; also to bring HOPE to our young people letting them know they can dream, believe, grow and succeed despite the challenging times we face.

Hope Squad is an international and school-based peer to peer suicide prevention program, which originated out of Provo, UT.  The program’s focus is to reduce youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention.  The Hope Squad currently serves 35 states and Canada, based in 1200 + schools, have over 30,000 +, hope squad members and has had over 5,000 + students referred for help. All of Edgecombe County Middle Schools will have the program implemented in this 2021-2022 school year. 

The entire Phillips Middle School student body, Phillips-Brick Alumni association, parents, and community members joined us on campus for a walk wearing yellow, representing hope. Hope Squad students and parents were instrumental in organizing this event. Here are some of their thoughts from the planning process:

“The Walk is a good idea because it will help people understand mental health issues that students face and let students know they are not alone.” AP, 7th Grader.

“The Walk will give children an opportunity to get out and move around in fresh air and sunshine.  It will help to educate our youth on how to release stress through motion.” Parent of 7th Grader.

Several other schools across Edgecombe County Public Schools walked around their school bus parking lots and/or gym areas during recess time and released Yellow Balloons at the end of their walk.

If you have any additional questions please contact Angela Jones, Hope Squad Lead Advisor (Event Coordinator) Phillips Middle School at 252-446-2031 Ext. 6314 or Email A. Jones or Email Sherika King (White) , ECPS Mental Health Coordinator

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