Hoping for commitment and input by people of the community

  • By Dave Mast
  • March 4, 2010
  • 657
                        
Sometimes making changes for the better means taking baby steps. Other times it takes an all-out commitment by a community. For the Holmes County Prevention Coalition, which began two years ago, it has been a case of both of those things coming to fruition. The Holmes County Prevention Coalition grew out of community members teaming up under the coordination and direction of Kathy Kelly of the Holmes County Family and Children First Council, Midge Roberts of Your Human Resource Center and Anne Goon who was employed by Holmes County Health District at that time. The Coalition effort was spearheaded through state funding from the Ohio Department of Youth Services (Partnerships for Success). The goal of the group was simple: create a county, which is safe from drugs and alcohol, where parents can raise their children in a safe environment. The progress the group has made through two years has been astounding, as it has gone from a non-entity to one, which has garnered national recognition. “We’re in a very exciting phase now,” said Roberts. “When the coalition handed over leadership to Dr. Mullet, he brought to us a great deal of knowledge from his years running the health department, and he also brought some great energy to the group, but most of all, he is an extremely well-known personality in the county, and with all that he has done over the years comes a great deal of respect. Having him heading up the group is a huge plus.” Roberts said Mullet also brings to the table a great deal of exuberance for the welfare of the youth of the county. Since it began two years ago, coalition members have publicized the fact that reaching the youth in Holmes County concerning the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs was going to be a priority. “In 2007 when we first began, one of the things the community said was that we needed the youth to be a strong component of this process,” said Roberts. “We heard that message and the youth have been a big part of our focus.” The focus on youth has been not just from the aspect of reaching community youth, but in utilizing their skills and talents to benefit the coalition. The members of the West Holmes Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) have become instrumental in the growth of the coalition’s attempts to reach out to Holmes County teens. A SADD Chapter is now developing involving East Holmes Students. Roberts said the coalition has developed a tremendous working relationship with area schools, and much of that comes as a direct result of the youth participation. “Youth have a way of bringing out the best in all of us when they step up and take a leading role in what’s going on in our community,” said Roberts. “Their involvement also has a way of bringing their parents into the equation, too.” The youth involvement has led to a number of teen-oriented events that have been well-attended. In addition, the SADD members have led coalition meetings, and are currently working on a full slate of events for 2010. The group also has its eyes set on creating Amazing Teens, in which teens can nominate other teens for something they feel should be recognized. “Instead of being based on some physical or academic achievement, it will include and be based on real character-based achievement too. What will be important is, it will be youth recognizing youth.” said Roberts. Like many of the other coalition accomplishments, that will be listed on the group’s new Web site at www.hcpreventioncoalition.com. The Web site offers the coalition a home for teens and parents to explore what is available, and helps the public keep tabs on how they can get involved. “The Coalition is the community and we need the entire community to get plugged in, and the Web site has created a great avenue for us to share what we are doing and opportunities that are available for people to join us in making a difference,” said Roberts. The other big jump made last year, which is surely going to have a major impact on the coalition’s ability to make exponential advances in its efforts in year three, is the addition of several core committees designed to spread the responsibilities of the group among many, to get others involved in crucial objectives and to create excitement throughout the community. The committees, which formed late last year, have been active in their pursuits already. Committees in law enforcement, billboard promotions, substance and alcohol abuse and, perhaps most importantly, the sustainability committee, have been meeting regularly to create a buzz within the group, which will hopefully bring the coalition even more to light in the community.” We wanted to make it so it was more than just two or three people doing the work,” said Roberts. “We also developed an Advisory Council which, because of the involvement of the committees, is able to do the things an advisory council should be doing, which will help strengthen the coalition.” Kelly said that after two years, the coalition is right on schedule, although all of the group members feel that as a whole, there is much work to do yet in terms of getting out the word about what the coalition is trying to accomplish. When they first began exploring the idea of coalition two years ago, both Kelly and Roberts knew it would take time to make a major impact on the communities dotting Holmes County. While inroads have been made, they are more than ready to take the coalition to the next level in 2010. “Even though I think we’re right where we need to be after two years, we’ve got a long way to go in getting out the word,” said Kelly. “I get the feeling people are just waiting to see where we’re going, to see what we achieve before we get fully engaged in being an important part of the county and the people here. That may be from a lack of experience and perhaps some stage fright, but the public will continue to see more of the coalition. We want the whole community to be a part of deciding what directions the coalition will take. The more people that take a role in this, the more it will grow to be accepted in the community. That’s when we will really see our efforts toward reaching our vision of a substance abuse free Holmes County and reducing and eliminating alcohol and other drug use by youth take a big jump.” For more information on how you can become a part of this growing organization, simply log on www.hcpreventioncoalition.com.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load