A new community coalition has been formed with a mission of preventing and reducing substance misuse in youth.
According to Patrice Leary-Forrey, Be The Influence Project Director, the Federal Funded DFC Grant for BTI ends on Sept. 30 and the new community coalition of Standish Windham and Raymond was established in September 2024 as a joint venture between the three municipalities to continue and expand the mission of prevention of substance misuse in youth ages 13 to 19 years old.
“It is a new coalition with the same mission in prevention of substance misuse in youth,” Leary-Forrey said.
The Positive Pathways Community Coalition and the Town of Windham have applied for the Federal Grant Funds for Drug Free Coalitions (DFC) Notice of Funding Award, and it will be available on or before Sept. 30, she said. Notice of the award will go directly to Robert Burns, Windham Town Manager.
Leary-Forrey said adding Standish will enhance the new coalition.
“Standish is a unique town in that it is a part of Cumberland County with a York County school district and a private university. They are invested and endorse the BTI coalition since many of the youth work in Standish work and play in Windham and Raymond including the college students who attend Saint Joseph's College during the academic year.”
The leadership of the Positive Pathways Community Coalition is fully formed with new members, and the coalition is looking for community members to join and volunteer for the coalition and support youth in all three communities.
“There is a 12-month action plan that has been heavily influenced by the youth for the youth,” Leary-Forrey said. “We encourage the residents of Standish, Windham and Raymond to join in on the virtual Community Coalition Meetings to find out what projects are being developed and implemented for this year.”
Crystal Aldrich, Be The Influence Project Coordinator for Windham/Raymond, says the Positive Pathways Community Coalition’s mission is the same as Be The Influence was – to prevent and reduce substance misuse in youth.
“Every young person deserves to be nurtured in a safe and supportive environment where they thrive. The Positive Pathways Community Coalition of Standish, Windham and Raymond builds connections and resources, teaches prevention strategies, enhances programs and policies that are evidence based on youth wellness and development.”
Aldrich said that the new Positive Pathways Community Coalition (PPCC) members represent 12 different sectors including Youth, Parents, Businesses, Media, Schools, Youth Serving Organizations, Public Safety, Religious Sector, Civic Groups, Healthcare, Governing Municipalities, and Government Agencies of the Standish, Windham and Raymond communities.
“Collaboration with coalition members empowers youth to be leaders and peer ambassadors in the community where a youth's voice is valued and respected,” Aldrich said. “A collaborative approach builds trust between the youth and adults in the community through positive engagement and opportunity.”
She said the Positive Pathways Community Coalition is intended to offer healthy positive experiences for youth.
“Utilizing the HOPE Framework, youth ambassadors and peer-to-peer mentorship build protective factors and positive experiences, resulting in better health outcomes for youth and families,” Aldrich said. “A strength-based approach for collaboration builds a stronger community, trained professionals, and prevention education for youth.”
PPCC brings the community together with HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences Framework). Along with Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, evidence-based prevention education (Prime for Life and BARR) and Peer to Peer modeling for youth, Aldrich said the collaborative approach to prevention with the communities of Standish, Windham and Raymond will empower leadership and resilience in area youth.
Meetings for the coalition will be held on the second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. on Microsoft Teams.
For additional information or to join the coalition, call 207-804-6742. <
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