For the month of December, Steps to HOPE placed bulletin boards at Polk County High School, Polk County Middle School and Landrum Middle School to encourage students to be a good friend, using the latest version of Dr. Seuss’s Grinch as a cute and fun way to deliver the message, organization representatives said.

In addition to the positive message, beginning this month, the bulletin boards also share information about Step to HOPE’s new text crisis line. Today’s youth communicate more freely by text messaging, and Steps to HOPE is rising to the challenge of being able to connect in a way that is more comfortable for those growing up in the digital age.

Steps to HOPE places a bulletin board in each school every month of the school year as a community outreach project and to encourage healthy relationships in the lives of students. The goal is to provide a positive message to students and staff and to give contact information for anyone who might need services.

These boards are sponsored in part by the Polk County Community Foundation.

Steps to HOPE is the domestic violence and sexual assault center located in Columbus  serving and educating western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. Those who are being abused or know someone who is, or would like to learn more may call 828-894-2340.

– Submitted by Paula Ravan