Gluten Free Youth

•         For confidential questions, or to request to be added to the youth group mailing list, e-mail the group leaders at rochesterglutenfreeyouth@gmail.com

•         Meeting time/Location: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at St. Anne Church, 1600 Mount Hope Ave, Rochester, NY  14620.  Map & Directions
 

Mission statement: 

To empower youth on a gluten free diet to advocate for their own needs, overcome challenges of being gluten free in order to continue living a happy, healthy life and engage in a setting where being gluten free is the norm.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions):

About the group:

Who are we?

Andrea O’Keefe, M.Ed.

Andrea is an elementary educator with a strong background of engaging youth in activities that promote self-advocacy and responsibility and provide them with opportunities to feel and be successful in all settings.  Andrea was the first in her family to be diagnosed with Celiac, in 2007.

Lydia Powers is a graphic and interactive designer. She is finishing up her masters degree focusing on web and interactive usability for youth where she has worked closely with the National Museum of Play at the Strong for her final project. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2008, and so far has been the only person in her family to test positive, although her parents try to maintain a gluten-free diet because it does make them feel better.

o   What kinds of things do you do at the monthly meetings?

§  Round-table discussions about living gluten free

§  Gluten free cooking classes

§  Topic discussions (i.e., How to have a healthy and enjoyable holiday)

§  And much more

o   What is the format of the group meetings?  Where are they held?

§  Group meetings are approximately one hour long

§  We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM (same time and location as RCSG meetings, just in a different room)

§  Due to various group activities, the meeting locations will be announced at the RCSG meeting or via the Google Group prior to the meeting- be sure to sign up (link to Google group)

o   The group is a “youth” group- Are there any restrictions to attend?

§  Our group encompasses youth ages 10-17

Youth do not need a doctor’s diagnosis of Celiac disease but should be following a gluten free diet or learning how to follow the gluten free diet