"I shut off my phone and throw it in the glove box," she says, "because I don't want to be tempted to use it."

Pariseau, a 19-year-old student at State College of Florida, knows people who have been killed in accidents caused by distracted drivers. She's glad the Florida Legislature is finally considering a law against texting and driving.

As a member of SADD - Students Against Destructive Decisions - she scolds any and all reckless drivers.

"I know I'm being annoying, but I really can't let it go," Periseau says. "My dad's an excellent driver, but he still texts, and I'm like, 'C'mon.' I tell him I'm the designated texter, just like a designated driver."

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that in 2011 more than 3,000 Americans were killed and 300,000 injured in accidents involving distracted drivers.

Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash if they text and drive.

The agency considers texting the most alarming distraction because it involves visual, manual and cognitive attention. The youngest and least experienced drivers are most at risk.

Today, it's common to see drivers of all ages glancing down to thumb messages on their phones. Warning people about the practice has even become a texting acronym.

Now in its third year, the students' unions summer conference has become a highly regarded feature of the NUS calendar. Taking place across two-days and two-nights at the University of Manchester this year, SU2013 will bring together staff and officers in students' unions across the UK to explore strategic challenges, share and showcase best practice within students' unions, the voluntary sector and Higher Education. The event will culminate in the NUS Awards, celebrating excellence in students' unions.

Taking place at the start of July SU2013 is an opportune time to network, share ideas, meet new people, learn from outside the movement and hear from inspiring leading figures in preparing for the year ahead.

BROCKTON - Youth violence prevention programs in the city will receive a nearly half-million dollar boost this year from Gov. Deval Patrick's supplemental budget.

Patrick announced Friday more than $440,000 will be coming the city's way, out of a total $9.7 million split among 11 cities. I'm trying to understand where is the money for these crime prevention programs?

PLYMOUTH - South Shore Community Action Council Inc. hosted its 19th annual Local Heroes Awards Night March 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth, sponsored by Rockland Trust Co., Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Curtis Construction, and other area businesses. Each year, SSCAC recognizes those individuals, organizations, and businesses that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to fighting poverty and improving the lives of South Shore residents. Master of Ceremonies, Senate President Therese Murray, presented each Local Hero with a certificate of recognition from U.S. Rep. William Keating and official citations. This year's Local Heroes include:Brendan Haas - In February of 2012, then 9 years old, Brendan Haas, of Kingston, used Facebook to start a "trading up" program called "A Soldier for a Soldier." Starting with a toy soldier, Brendan eventually traded up for an all-expense paid trip to Disney. On Memorial Day, 2012, he gave that trip to the family of Timothy Steele of Duxbury, a soldier killed in Afghanistan. When Good Morning America gave him another trip as a reward for his generosity, he gave that trip away to another military family. Brendan is currently trading up to raise funds to move a solar house built and donated by MIT from storage in Boston to donated land in Princeton. Once the house is moved to its new location, he plans to give it to yet another military family. I think this article is important because it gives credits to us little people who are making a difference in the community.

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti announces that the Brockton After Dark summer program will start on July 2nd. Various activities will take place over the course of the summer at different locations throughout the city until August 24th. "Brockton After Dark accomplishes more than just keeping youth busy," said Mayor Balzotti. "The wide range of activities offered enables young people to take part not only in athletics, but also social and leadership development activities, learning skills that will stay with them for many years to come." Now in its ninth year, Brockton After Dark provides athletic and enrichment opportunities to youth, ages 13-20, at no cost, weeknights during the summer. Brockton After Dark will not be held Wednesday, July 4th. Various activities include basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, hip hop dancing, and art classes, as well as several other programs, which can be found on the City of Brockton's web site. Food will be provided at most sites. This is a great program to get these youth off the streets. I think many cites need to look into this and see if there city has funds for these programs.

Brockton achieved national recognition as one of America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING for its initiatives to help young people. The competition recognizes communities across the country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youth. What I find funny about this site is that many people don't know about the resources Brockton has, so its word of mouth. I'm finding it hard to find structured programs for the youth to stay off the streets, but its the best communities for young people.

Mothers with Courage is comprised of a group of mothers who have joined together to support one another in order to cope with the loss of their children through incarceration or murder. I think this groups is a great example of Civic engagement.

This Website talks about the goverment can engage people throught the media.Are you ready to effectively engage your community in 2013? Next year, local governments want online civic engagement that allows them to listen, encourage feedback, increase transparency, and improve their image within their community.

I came across this website and there was this organization called Mothers With Courage, its an alliance of women who meet to share their pain and fruastation over children they lost to prison and murder. This group launched an after school program for at risk youth, they teach leadership skills and do many other things in the community. This reason why I posted this because I didn"t know Boston had organizations out there that help at risk youth and familes. I think there need to be to more organization out there helping these at risk youth, who need a place to go instead of running to gangs for that love and support.