Inclusion Takes Practice

Achieving Cultural Diversity in Your Neighborhood

Recently, the NYC Prevention Resource Center sought the assistance of the remaining five regional PRC's --Suffolk, Mid-Hudson. Western NY, Central NY, and Finger Lakes regarding ways to include the experiences and contributions of the many coalitions throughout the state into Notes from the Meeting Table.   It was our goal to encourage information sharing amongst the groups and provide another active resource for everybody to utilize.

However, creating a fully inclusive atmosphere that welcomes our friends from around NYS to the "Table"  is admittedly a work in progress.   For anyone that has engaged in resolving issues of cultural competency knows...it's always the little things that have the greatest impact.  From ensuring that various ethnic, cultural, and social groups are represented, to providing multi-lingual materials that can be used by the entire community; the ability to become and remain aware of the nuances that can make others feel and stay involved in your work is a key ingredient to achieving and sustaining success.

So, with this in mind, I am asking for your patience an indulgence as I am striving to encourage our coalitions both in NYC and NYS to tell us your ideas, thoughts, and opinions on a number of issues affecting your communities.

I hope that you will all share and use NMT as a forum for discussion, debate, and to raise the awareness of coalition members about the accomplishments and challenges that come with this work (and please excuse an occasional NYC reference instead of the more inclusive "New York" verbiage.)

Until next time...

- Scott M.

PRC Website Gets Makeover

PRC Website Gets Makeover

Launches September 18th

This summer, we have been hard at work giving our website a complete makeover so that it would be more user-friendly and interactive.  Some of the new features include:

• Reader Comments - Share your opinion about breaking news and articles we post & hear from others about what they think should be done to make a difference
• Videos - Compiled from across the web, these drug prevention clips are great visual aids offering solid information
• Drug Facts - Provides a summary of useful facts, data, and  negative effects on a variety of drugs including marijuana, tobacco, pills and alcohol
• Partnerships - view a listing of community anti-drug coalitions in the New York City & New York State
• Helpful Links - Check out a listing of organizations and tools to help strengthen your anti-drug efforts and activities.

You will still receive ongoing coverage of the latest prevention news and happenings on the local and national scene;  Can register for all upcoming workshops; and Obtain downloadable technical assistance briefs addressing many of the common challenges with coalition building/community mobilization.

Check us out today!

Community...CONNECTED!

This September, the NYC Prevention Resource Center is kicking off a brand new campaign called "Community...CONNECTED!" It's purpose is to provide the various communities we've visited over the past three years with a chance to meet each other; share ideas and resources; and  become a collective force for change in New York City.

Looking Back

This past July marked the fourth year of the NYC Prevention Resource Center.  During that time,we've had the opportunity to travel across the speaking with a variety of people about how drugs and alcohol have negatively impacted the quality of life of residents and dampened the future aspirations of young people. We heard story after story of communities at a loss about knowing where to  focus their efforts  in trying to bring about change and a sense of hope.

However, we have been emboldened by the commitment of these champions to stay the course and encouraged by the ideas and creative solutions to grab the attention of the neighborhood and show an alternative to drug use and abuse.

Become Connected

As a part of Community...CONNECTED!,  we will be hosting special events, workshops, and opportunities for you to meet,speak, share, and provide your thoughts on what needs to be done to uplift our youth and change your communities.

I encourage you to be a part of these gatherings; to tell us your opinions on the state of alcohol and drug prevention on both a local and national stage; and network with others that share your passion towards making a lasting change within their neighborhoods.

Stay tuned...there is so much more to come!