OCTOBER 2021
REACH NEWSLETTER WHAT'S INSIDE
ENRIQUE "KIKI" CAMARENA
Red Ribbon Week Pictures Pages 2&3 Staff Spotlight Page 4 Youth Prevention Education Page 5 Youth Recovery Communities Page 6 Coalition & Community Pages 7,8,9 Arts & Crafts Page 10 REACH Podcast Page 11 Fundraising & Sponsors Page 12 Contact Us Page 13
The History of Red Ribbon Week BY EMMA SHELBY Red Ribbon Week is a lot more than just silly dress up days like crazy hair, silly socks, tie dye shirts, etc. It is the nation's largest and longest-running druguse prevention campaign. This year Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31 and the theme is “Drug Free Looks Like Me”. You may be asking yourself, "how did Red Ribbon Week get started?" In 1985, Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was slain by the drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. As a tribute to Camarena, friends started “Camarena Clubs” and wore a red ribbon to show their stance against drug use. The National Family Partnership started the first Red Ribbon Week in 1988 with President Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan. Since then, it has become a campaign across the nation with families, schools and communities. Here at REACH Council, we offer presentations to schools in Ellis and Johnson counties about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, as well as handling emotions, healthy friendships, and peer pressure. This year we will be giving out close to 40,000 red ribbon bracelets in Ellis and Johnson County schools for students to wear during Red Ribbon Week. Kiki Camarena image credit: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/article/special-agent-enrique-kiki-camarena
RED RIBBON WEEK
The Academy at Nola Dunn
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RED RIBBON WEEK
Maypearl ISD
Alvarado Intermediate School REACH NEWSLETTER | PAGE 3
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT- OUR DIRECTORS
CASSIE STREET
C a s s i e S t r e e t i s t h e C h i e f O p e r a ti n g O f f i c e r f o r REACH Council. She came on board in 2010 as a prevention specialist. She was also a program d i r e c t o r f o r s e v e n y e a r s b e f o r e m o v i n g i n to h e r current position. Cassie loves working in p r e v e n t i o n a n d s e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i ty w h e r e s h e grew up. Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out w i t h h e r h u s b a n d , t h e i r t w o b o y s a n d tw o d o g s . T h e y a l l e n j o y g o i n g c a m p i n g a n d s p e n d i n g ti m e with extended family and friends.
TOM KOWATCH
Tom Kowatch is a married father of 4. He has
worked for REACH Council for over 7 years as a Prevention Specialist, Program Coordinator and most recently Director of School Programs. Tom has a degree in Healthcare Science from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and is an army veteran with 8 years of service.
JEN HEGGLAND
Jennifer is the Director of Community Programs for working closely with our REACH Across Johnson County Coalition and the Youth Recovery Communities program. She has a BA in International Studies (w/ a focus on development) from Trinity Western University, and an MSSW (w/ a focus on Administrative Leadership) from UT Austin. Outside of work, Jennifer spends a lot of time with friends and family, trying new restaurants, and perfecting her raised garden beds. REACH NEWSLETTER | PAGE 4
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YOUTH PREVENTION EDUCATION Our YP program curriculums are in full swing, and we are so thankful to be back in-person!! REACH educators are working with elementary schools in Midlothian, Ennis, and Joshua this semester to provide the Kids Connection curriculum. We are providing the Too Good for Drugs program at Frank Seale and Dieterich Middle Schools in Midlothian. Finally, we are facilitating the Life Skills Training curriculum for 5th graders in Joshua ISD as well. Reach Council also partners with the driving schools in both Midlothian and Waxahachie to provide education to the students about the dangers of alcohol, marijuana, and driving under the influence.
OUR AMAZING INTERNS
Elizabeth
My name is Elizabeth Click and I am 20 years old. I am a senior at SAGU majoring in social w o r k . I p l a n t o a t t e n d g r a d u a te s c h o o l n e x t f a l l t o r e c e i v e m y M S W . A f t e r t h a t, I p l a n to w o r k i n t h e f i e l d o f h u m a n t r a f f i c k in g , h e l p i n g g i r l s f i n d t h e n e c e s s a r y r e s o u r c e s to s a f e l y g e t o u t of those situations.
My name is Araceli Ybarra, and I am a senior at SAGU majoring in social work with a minor in marriage and family relationships. My plan after graduation is to become a school social w o r k e r f o r F o r t W o r t h I S D b e c a u s e th a t i s m y h o m e t o w n . I w a n t t o s e t a n e x a m p l e f o r th e y o u th i n t h e c o m m u n i t y I g r e w u p i n a n d s h o w th e m i t i s p o s s i b l e t o b e c o m e s o m e o n e n o m a tte r y o u r b a c k g r o u n d .
Araceli
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YOUTH RECOVERY COMMUNITIES Fall is a very important season for the YRC program. This is the time when we get to highlight Mental Health Awareness Week as well as Red Ribbon Week. These are two topics that are a huge part of the work we do at YRC. In honor of Red Ribbon Week and Mental Health Awareness Week we would like to showcase two of our participants who volunteered to give their outlook on mental health awareness and drug free awareness anonymously.
STUDENT B
STUDENT A “I realize drugs affect my mental health. Personally, I’ve noticed that drugs contribute to me feeling depressed. They also make me feel paranoid. Though I haven’t reached my goal of becoming totally drug free. I understand the importance of living my life drug free. A completely drug free life to me looks like mental stability, and being able to contribute positive vibes with my family.”
SCIENCE TEACHER
“My use of marijuana has had huge effects on how my life has turned out and where I am today. The biggest effect it has had was when I got arrested for possession of marijuana when I was still in high school. I was 17 years old, about to graduate and begin the next chapter of my life but all of my plans were put on hold when I got arrested. I had planned to go to college, get a job, and move out of my parents house. It has now been almost 3 years since I was arrested and none of those plans have happened. I am still dealing with the consequences of my drug use even though I no longer use marijuana. Even though my adult life has gotten off to a slow start I am starting to get to where I want to be in life. I am hopeful that I can keep it up and get back to living a normal life without drug use affecting it.” REACH NEWSLETTER | PAGE 6
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Community Events REACH Council had a very busy late summer with all the community back-to-school events in both Ellis & Johnson Counties. We provided 500 backpacks to the Waxahachie ISD Operation 1st Day of School, and participated in events in Avalon, Ferris, Midlothian, Red Oak and Waxahachie.
Ferris Back to School Event Waxahachie ISD Backpack Donation
Keene Hot Dog Supper
REACH Council also participated in several fall events throughout Ellis and Johnson Counties, including National RX Take Back Day and the Red Oak Fall Festival.
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Community Partnership REACH was also able to provide over 100 stress kits to the counselors in school districts across Ellis & Johnson Counties. The kits included stress and fidget toys that counselors can use with students who are having a rough time and need and healthy way to deal with their emotions.
Thanks to the youth from Ovilla Church of Christ and First United Methodist Church of Red Oak that volunteered their time to help assemble the stress kits!
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COALITION & COMMUNITY JoCo Community Radio This quarter REACH Across Johnson County has been very busy. The radio show has returned and we have some awesome shows lined up!! In September, REACH hosted Tish Ross, host of No Judgement Here, and Drew's 27 Chains.
REACH Across Johnson County Coalition REACH Across Johnson County has participated in many events, including the Cleburne Business Expo, National Night Out in Burleson, Autumn on the Square in Cleburne, and Be Healthy Burleson.
Burleson National Night Out
Cleburne Business Expo
The next REACH Across Johnson County Coalition meeting will be on Thursday, November 18th, 2021 at 11:30am. It will be held at Pathway Church in Burleson. REACH NEWSLETTER | PAGE 9
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ARTS & CRAFTS THANKFUL FALL TURKEY
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REACH PODCAST Join us for our "REACHing Out" podcast where each of our staff members take turns to bring you news and fun conversations focused on their passions and interests as it relates to our agency mission to "support safe and healthy choices vital to the well-being of our youth, families and community".
Each month you can expect to learn about topics such as substance abuse and misuse, programs we offer here at REACH Council, upcoming events, life skills and tips to promote and sustain a healthy lifestyle, and so much more.
Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms and subscribe to our podcast streams to stay up to date with the latest podcast.
You
can access our podcast at bit.ly/REACHpodcast or you can tune in via;
Apple Podcast Google Play Music, Podbean, Spotify, Stitcher,
Amazon/Audible, Pandora, TuneIn/Alexa, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, iHeartRadio, Podcast Addict, Deezer, YouTube.
Past Podcasts January Podcast - "A Discussion of Prevention and Recovery for All" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-January21 February Podcast - "About our YRC (Youth Recovery Communities) program" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-February21 March Podcast - "Tips On Staying Safe and Sober During Holidays and Spring Break" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-March21 *No podcast for April* May Podcast - "Alcohol Awareness" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-May21 *No podcast for June* July Podcast - "100 Deadliest Days of Summer" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-July21 August Podcast - "Mental VS. Physical Health with YogaFire- Tonia White" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-August21 *no podcast for September* October Podcast - "Safe Medicine Storage and Proper Ways to Dispose of Old Prescriptions" bit.ly/REACHpodcast-October21
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FUNDRAISING & SPONSORS Past Opportunities We would like to thank everyone who was able to come out and support us with our Car Wash Fundraiser on 9/25/2021. We are grateful for the continuous support and hopeful for our next fundraising event.
Future Opportunities Join us for our annual Cupid Shuffle 5K Run. This is a fundraiser which will benefit REACH Council community and school programs for youth drug and alcohol prevention. It will be held at the MISD Multipurpose Stadium on Saturday, February 12th, 2022.
Follow our Cupid Shuffle Facebook page @CupidShuffleEllisCo to stay up to date with news and updates, including the registration link which will be active starting November 1st. You can also use this QR code to access the Cupid Shuffle 5K Facebook page.
Thank you to our sponsors!
If you would like to support REACH Council through either advertising on this page, hosting a fundraiser, or simply making a donation, please contact Kristal Whitaker at Kristal.Whitaker@ReachCouncil.org. Thank you! REACH NEWSLETTER | PAGE 12
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA REACH: @reach.council YRC: @YRC.Reach RAJC: @reachacrossjohnsoncounty
REACH: @reach_council YRC: @yrc_reach RAJC: @reachacrossjohnsoncounty
REACH: @REACHCouncil
CONTACT US Physical address: 208 S. 4th St., Midlothian, Mailing address: PO Box 598, Midlothian, TX Email: Info@ReachCouncil.org Phone number: 972-723-1053 REACH NEWSLETTER | PAGE 13
TX
76065
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