A joint resolution was passed and this home-grown event has blossomed significantly in the years since. This year on Thursday, April 28th at 12:30 pm, Governor Peter Shumlin will sign a proclamation declaring the month of May as Vermont Youth Appreciation Month in his Ceremonial Office at the statehouse in Montpelier.
Where: Bennington County Regional Commission, 111 South Street, Suite 203 Bennington, VT
What: Local organization, Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT) will host a press conference to announce the awarding of a five-year, $625,000 Drug Free Communities Grant through the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Office of the White House.
Who: ACT Chair Lucinda Krautheim, ACT Vice-Chair Katrina Hollis, ACT Director/State Representative, Kiah Morris; ACT Program Coordinator, Nevin Lessard; ACT Executive Committee Member, Sophia Prandini, ACT Youth Empowerment Committee Chair Dare Meunier, Bennington County Regional Commission Executive Director Jim Sullivan, Local Legislators
Why: The Alliance for Community Transformations is one of four funded organizations in the state of Vermont that has been awarded the Drug Free Communities Grant in 2015. A regionally-based, substance abuse and public health coalition, ACT worked collaboratively with multiple agencies, organizations, businesses and community volunteers in the development of the successful grant application and activities that are supported through this funding. The grant goals are as follows:
Grant Goal 1: Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.
Grant Goal 2: Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.
Results of recent substance abuse assessments and descriptions of grant activities will be presented at this event.
For more information contact ACT at 802-442-713 extension 9 or 6.
The Alliance for Community Transformations(ACT) is a community-based, grassroots
collective of people who are working together on projects to improve the health of our
communities.Our mission: To prevent first time substance abuse among youth, reduce its use across all ages and to actively contribute to promoting increased wellness and health for all across the lifespan in the “Southshire” region of Bennington County.Our Vision: A region that actively works together to empower, mobilize and inspire one another to act in collaboration towards greater health and sustainable change.
AGENDA
Time
Activity
Outcomes/Objectives
12:00
Check–in
***
12:05
Welcome and Introductions – Cindy Krautheim
***
12:10
Agenda Overview – Cindy Krautheim
· Set Next Meeting Time/Date
Participants will have a clear understanding of the meeting components and will have a voice in selecting the next meeting date and time.
12:15
ACT Updates & Events
o Organizational Policy Development – Kiah Morris
o Matching Requirements – Nevin Lessard
o Youth Ambassadors—Nevin Lessard
o ACT Press Conference—Kiah Morris
o Winterfest Support—Kiah Morris
Participants learn about policies that are in development for ACT; how ACT is utilizing, capturing and reporting in-kind matching and its importance for all non-profit organizations; Progress and goals with the Youth Ambassador Program; identify opportunities and ways support for the Fall Press Conference event; identify opportunities and ways to support North Bennington’s Winterfest event
12:30
ACT Selections and Voting—Kiah Morris
· ACT Bylaw Approvals
· Committee Sign Ups
· Executive Committee Nominations and Elections
*Voting is restricted to members with a current MOU on file.
Participants will have a clear understanding of the organizational structure of ACT, provide input and selection of leadership, understand the roles of ACT committees, volunteer for a committee and provide approval and input for ACT’s by-laws.
1:00
Committee Meetings *Online and telephone access will be disconnected for the remainder of the event.
Committee members will gain clear understanding of the roles and activities of the committees; identify leadership for the committee from the group; identify and choose opportunities to support implementation of activities.
1:50
Meeting Evaluation & Adjournment
Participants will be able to provide feedback on the meeting and assess the effectiveness of the event.
The Alliance for Community Transformations(ACT) is a community-based, grassroots
collective of people who are working together on projects to improve the health of our
communities.Our mission: To prevent first time substance abuse among youth, reduce its use across all ages and to actively contribute to promoting increased wellness and health for all across the lifespan in the “Southshire” region of Bennington County.Our Vision: A region that actively works together to empower, mobilize and inspire one another to act in collaboration towards greater health and sustainable change.
AGENDA
Time
Activity
Outcomes/Objectives
12:00
Check–in
***
12:05
Welcome and Introductions – Cindy Krautheim
***
12:10
Agenda Overview – Cindy Krautheim
· Set Next Meeting Time/Date
Participants will have a clear understanding of the meeting components and will have a voice in selecting the next meeting date and time.
12:15
ACT Updates & Events
o Organizational Policy Development – Kiah Morris
o Matching Requirements – Nevin Lessard
o Youth Ambassadors—Nevin Lessard
o ACT Press Conference—Kiah Morris
o Winterfest Support—Kiah Morris
Participants learn about policies that are in development for ACT; how ACT is utilizing, capturing and reporting in-kind matching and its importance for all non-profit organizations; Progress and goals with the Youth Ambassador Program; identify opportunities and ways support for the Fall Press Conference event; identify opportunities and ways to support North Bennington’s Winterfest event
12:30
ACT Selections and Voting—Kiah Morris
· ACT Bylaw Approvals
· Committee Sign Ups
· Executive Committee Nominations and Elections
*Voting is restricted to members with a current MOU on file.
Participants will have a clear understanding of the organizational structure of ACT, provide input and selection of leadership, understand the roles of ACT committees, volunteer for a committee and provide approval and input for ACT’s by-laws.
1:00
Committee Meetings *Online and telephone access will be disconnected for the remainder of the event.
Committee members will gain clear understanding of the roles and activities of the committees; identify leadership for the committee from the group; identify and choose opportunities to support implementation of activities.
1:50
Meeting Evaluation & Adjournment
Participants will be able to provide feedback on the meeting and assess the effectiveness of the event.
The Bennington and Hoosick area are currently experiencing what many are calling an epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse in our communities.
Join us for this free town hall meeting event to learn more about prevention, recognizing the signs of abuse, medical and social resources that are available.
This discussion is open to parents, students, community members and leaders. This event will feature medical professionals and community leaders to answer questions and present ways to get involved.
Special Feature: A presentation and screening of the music video “Heroes and Heroin” by the MAUHS Quantum Leap program
May is Vermont Youth Appreciation Month
