The I Sing the Body Electric Coalition believes that young people want to be respected  for their abilities and ideas.  Body Electric sees each person as an actor or artist, musician or writer  -- creating healthy  messages for   other.

It is the aim of I Sing the Body Electric to provide data and support to communities to combat teen health risk behaviors  It is very important that youth feel a cohesive community disapproval of harmful behavior in the form of peer messages, parent guidance, leadership examples and community enforcement of laws.   

For rural youth, school attachment can also be a significant protective factor.  The Body Electric coalition supports arts-centered activities because they attract and hold youth by challenging them and enriching their school experience.

Since 1998, the coalition has  trained 136 interns and 17 graduate assistants to work in the schools with teens and to bring the arts and health tour to middle schools.

The coalition also provides data collection and reporting for the region.  This year, we beat our record and surveyed 66% of teens in high schools in our seven-county service area.  With these high numbers, we were able, once again, to provide principals with confidential school reports to use to better understand health issues facing their students.  We’ve also combined all schools in each county to create countywide reports that are made available to health professionals and others for planning, grant-writing and other activities to benefit our youth.   Click here to download the survey data (pdf document)

Our 2006 survey report contains some positive trends in youth health improvements that we have been tracking since 1998.  But there are also  some areas of concern to all of us as we recognize the impact parenting has on our children.  We have never shied away from survey results, but use them as the launch pad for planning and implementing science-based, effective strategies to foster change.  And it’s been working mainly because our youth have led the way.  And so we begin with what they tell us in the survey.  Anyone is welcome to use the data to plan strategies to make life healthier for our youth.  Please email us or call toll free if you have any questions:  1-888-550-7464.

What do others have to say about I Sing The Body Electric?

STUDENT: “It (I Sing the Body Electric) is a really good program where you can gain knowledge about the world around you. I mean, kids look at health class and say, "Oh, we know about drugs. We know about teen sexuality and we know what alcohol does to you." But when you're actually doing a project, you're forced to learn more about the subject and it's good to gain knowledge on that.” - Nikki Butler (Oakland High School student participant)

TEACHER: This terrific program is a reflection of the gifted, innovative and personally invested people who administer Body Electric. Even in times of deadlines, multiple problem shooting issues and other crises, the Body Electric administrators are positive, supportive sources of assistance and encouragement. TOP FLIGHT! - Steve Allen - Kansas TLC (learning and treatment center)

NATIONAL GRANTS MANAGER: Body Electric has been such a beacon of light for the youth in Illinois. Your program is definitely a model that should be replicated across the country. Thank you for your hard work. It's your kind of leadership and commitment that makes the Drug Free Communities Support Program work. -- Gwendolyn Williams, Dept. of Justice Drug-Free Communities Grant Program Manager, Washington DC, Feb. 4, 2005

UNIVERSITY DEAN: Under the highly effective leadership of Ms Gaye Harrison, the program has brought together a unique coalition of organizations, agencies and individuals committed to the betterment of teen and community health. Its success is widely recognized and strongly supported by students, teachers, and community leaders. As the Dean of the College of Arts and humanities, I have seen the positive impact the program has had upon changing the behavior patterns of students at risk and the unique educational opportunities it has provided our undergraduate and graduate students. It is a model of success of how the Fine Arts can be used to shape and change the attitudes and lifestyle of today’s teenagers toward the use of alcohol consumption, drunk driving, drug use and sexual activity. I Sing the Body Electric is one of the nation’s most outstanding community based Fine Arts programs. - James Johnson, Dean of College of Arts and Humanities, Eastern Illinois University.