Voices for Nolan
Support Tools for Parents & Caregivers.
Not One More CHILD.
Any family could be the Burch Family.
In the Fall of 2014, they took their son Nolan to West Virginia University to begin his Freshman year. A bittersweet milestone – pride and excitement for their son, mixed with angst of sending their first born out into the world. Like so many parents, they had candid conversations with him about “college life” and the prevalence of alcohol. And they took comfort in the fact that Nolan was a bright, friendly, outgoing, and self-assured person. Nolan never came home. On November 14, 2014, he died from acute ethanol poisoning, the medical terminology for alcohol poisoning. This wasn’t a voluntary act, Nolan was a victim of hazing.
For Parents & Caregivers
Voices For NOLAN.
While hazing is often associated with fraternities and sororities on college and university campuses, the reality is that it is also prevalent in high schools and even as early as middle school. The statistics on the prevalence of severe bullying and hazing behaviors in sports, music programs and other school-sponsored organization are staggering. Sadly, only a fraction of incidents are reported.
Educating Parents and Caregivers.
Even parents who have open and positive relationships with their children need help from time to time to maintain their children's physical and emotional health. Voices for Nolan includes content specifically created to help parents and caregivers recognize the signs of bullying and hazing behavior, along with tools and resources to empower your child to make a positive, impactful change. Our program includes the necessary guidance on how to:
Help your child make the right decisions as they become independent
Learn how to recognize changes in your child that could be signs of bullying, hazing, or succumbing to harmful peer pressure
Have conversations with your child about the dangers they may be facing from peer pressure
Making a Family Connection.
My only son just graduated this weekend on his 18th birthday. I will be sending him off to college in August, and THIS is my greatest fear. I will be sitting him down to watch Nolan's story. The images of your son being carried through that parking lot and left motionless on that table will haunt me always, and I want those very images burned into my son's brain as well. My hope is that hE’ll recall Nolan every time he has a choice to make while away at school.
Source: Julie F., South Elgin, Illinois
