REACH QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
February2025
What’sInside
Featurearticle
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ImpactGrant
By:GracieGray
Wearethrilledtoannouncethat REACHCouncilhasbeenawardeda TexasHealthCommunityImpact granttofurthersupportthe residentsofJohnsonCounty.This fundingmarksthefirstphaseofa two-partinitiativefocusedon improvingmentalhealthand addressingsocialdeterminantsof healthinthecommunity,witha specialfocusontheareasof Cleburne,Keene,andRioVista.
Socialdeterminantsofhealthare factorsinone’scommunitythat influenceaperson’shealthand well-being.Examplesinclude housing,foodsecurity,education opportunities,accesstohealthcare, economicstability,andsoon.
BoardMemberSpotlight Page3
InternSpotlight Page4
Community Pages5,6,7
YouthPreventionEducation Page8
YouthRecoveryCommunities Page9
REACHAcrossEllisCounty Pages10,11,12
REACHAcrossHillCounty Page13
REACHAcrossJohnsonCounty Pages14,15,16 TobaccoPreventionCoalition Pages17,18
REACHPodcast Page19
UpcomingEvents
Page20,21,22
Fundraising&Sponsors Page23
Arts&Crafts Pages24,25
ContactUs Page26
REACH Council Awarded
Texas Health Community Impact Grant
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Throughthisgrant,REACHCouncilisleadingacollaborativeeffort alongsideourfourpartneragencies:CASAofJohnsonCounty,East CleburneCommunityCenter,JohnsonCountyJuvenileServices,and SouthwestAdventistUniversity.Together,wewilldevelopa comprehensive10-prongedplanofactionaimedattacklingkey challengesfacedbyyouthinourcommunity,whichwewillthenuseto applyforPhaseIIofthisgrantcycle.Overthenextfewmonths,wewill beconductingsurveysandfocusgroupstoidentifythemostpressing issuesfacedbyyouthinourcommunity.
Weareextremelygratefulforthisopportunityandexcitedtoworkwith ourpartnersandourcommunitytomakealastingimpact.Readthe officialTexasHealthannouncementhere,andstaytunedformore updates!
Picturedabove:2025TexasHealthCommunityImpactgrantawardees
Jen Gracie
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
DONNA KNIGHT
DonnaKnightwaselectedtotheRedOakISDSchoolBoardin2022.She currentlyservesontheBoardofDirectorsofbothREACHCounciland CherishedImpressionChildPlacingAgency.
Knighthasreceivednumerousawardsduringher34-yeartenurewithRedOak ISDasastaffmemberandforhervolunteerwork.Someoftheawardsinclude VolunteerAwardforTheCouncilofDrugandAlcoholAbuse,Community ChampionfromRegion3NetworkofPreventionProviders,RedOak DistinguishedAlumni,andRegion10ATPEAssociateEducatoroftheYear.
Knightisa1975graduateofRedOakHighSchool.Sheandherhusband, Johnny,havetwochildrenwhoareRedOakHighSchoolgraduates,andfive grandchildren.WhennotservingtheDistrict,DonnaandJohnnyareactive membersofOvillaChurchofChrist.
INTERN SPOTLIGHT
Teagan Freeman
I’mTeaganFreemanandIamfromOregon butIwenttoPennsylvaniaforcollege.I’m currentlyfinishingmysenioryearwitha Bachelor’sinSocialWorkandhopetoget myMaster’s.Mylongtermgoalistobea correctionscounselorandhelpthosewho areincarcerated.
IhaveaBachelor'sdegreeinPsychology andamcurrentlyworkingonaMaster’s inSocialWork.Ihopetoworkwith childrenonceIgraduatewithmy master’sdegree.Iworkpart-timeasa baristabecauseIenjoyconnectingwith peopleoveragoodcupofcoffee.Outside ofworkandmystudies,Ienjoyspending myfreetimewithmyfamilyandmydog. Iampassionateaboutmentalhealth andeducatingothersaboutmental healthawareness.Iamalwayseagerto learnandgrow,bothpersonallyand professionally.
Jocelyn Batzer
COMMUNITY
OnNovember22nd,REACHstaffandboardmembersgatheredfora Thanksgivingcelebration.Alongwithalotofdeliciousfood,weenjoyed gamesandactivitiessuchasour“DisguiseaTurkey”contest.
Picturedabove:REACHstaffmembersPicturedleft:“DisguiseaTurkey” contestwinnersAstrid,Gracie,WendyandKryslyn.Picturedbelow: BoardmembersJaniceCareyandJanisBurdett,CEOTashaTaylor,and boardmemberDonnaKnight.
COMMUNITY
OnDecember16th,REACHstaffmembershadablastattheirbeach-themed holidayparty.Weparticipatedinexcitinggamesandactivitiesliketrivia, cookiedecorating,ornamentmaking,andawhiteelephantgiftexchange.
Picturedabove(left):REACHadminteamCassieStreet,TashaTaylor,andTinaMcClaren.
Picturedabove(right):REACHstaffmembersSabrina,Shari,Brandy,Santana,Erica,NikkiandGracie.
REACHparty planningcommittee (fromlefttoright): Heidi,Gracie, ShariandAshley
YOUTH PREVENTION EDUCATION
Backrowlefttoright:Tom,Heidi,Elissa,Ashley,Holly Frontrowlefttoright:Jailene,Lynsi,Laura,Astrid
TheYPteamscontinuetoserve schooldistrictsaroundEllisand Johnsoncountiesinvarious capacitiesincludingcurriculum facilitation,presentations,events andactivities.
Lefttoright:Joel,Wendy,Cody
YOUTH RECOVERY COMMUNITIES
OurPro-SocialEventsareregular,organizedeventsdesignedtobring participantstogethertoengageinfunactivitieswiththegoalofcreating pro-socialrelationshipswhileexploringteambuildingskills,coping mechanisms,andcreativitywithouttheuseofsubstances.
Thiswinter,YRChostedafamilyeventatGaylordIcewherefamilieshada blasttouringRudolf’sicesculpturesandsleddingdownthehand-madeice slide.WealsohadafuntimeduringourannualChristmasparty,where participantsplayedgames,receivedgifts,andparticipatedinallofour excitingChristmasthemedactivities.Inaddition,wealsohostedaneventat Evotheatre,whereourstaffandparticipantsgottheopportunitytowatch Mufasaafteroneofourweeklysupportgroups.
YRC’sfamilypro-socialeventisapproachingwherewewilltakeour participantsandfamiliestotheTulipGarden,wherewillbehostingapicnic. Ouryouthparticipantsarehavingsomuchfun,andsoarewe!
REACH ACROSS ELLIS COUNTY
November
REACHparticipated intheEllisCounty ConveneFall2024 andUniteEllis RibbonCuttingon November13th.
Brandy,Cassie,Shari
Brandy&Sharihadtheopportunitytohelpservelunchandprovidean activityforthestudentsattheAvalonIndependentSchoolDistrict CommunityThanksgivingLunchonNovember15th.
Brandy
Shari
REACH ACROSS ELLIS COUNTY
December
Shari(left)and Ashley(right)
Fromlefttoright:
Manythankstoall thatstoppedbyour boothatthe ChristmasinRedOak EventonDecember 7th.Weappreciate thosethat participatedinour GrinchBeanBagToss activityandfollowed usonsocialmedia! REACHAcrossEllisCountycollaboratedwithAvalonISDto
REACH ACROSS ELLIS COUNTY
January
OnJanuary28thREACHCouncilspoketoparentsofPalmerMiddleSchool studentsaboutFentanylAwareness,VapingandOtherDrugTrends.REACH AcrossEllisCountywasabletoprovideNarcantotheparentsattendingthe presentation.
Fromlefttoright:Laura,Shari,Cody
REACH ACROSS HILL COUNTY
REACH ACROSS JOHNSON COUNTY
REACHAcrossJohnsonCounty(RAJC)wasthrilledtowelcomegueststo ourveryfirstRiseTogetherSocial.Theseeventswerecreatedasa continuationofourRiseTogetherConference,aimedatengagingour communityinsafe,sober,andfunactivities.Ourgoalistofostersocial connectionswhileaddressingimportantmentalhealthandwellness issues.
Attendeesenjoyedadelightfulspreadofcharcuterie,goodiesanddesserts whilelisteningtoourguestspeaker,SaraTynan.Shespokeonthe importanceofcultivatinganattitudeofgratitudeandhowitcanhelp preventfeelingsofanxiety.Guestswerethenprovidedwiththematerials tocreatetheirowngratitudeboardsasavisualrepresentationofgratitude totakehome.Emailrajc@reachcouncil.orgformoreinformationabout futureRiseTogetherSocialevents.
REACH ACROSS JOHNSON COUNTY
RAJCattendedBurlesonISD’sFentanylAwarenessNightwherethey listenedtoaguestspeakerfromtheDallasDEA.Tompresentedabout REACHCouncilandHollysetupaHiddeninPlainSightmockbedroom.
BurlesonChamberof Commercepresented RAJCwithaMember AppreciationAwardas partoftheirRandomActs ofKindnessCampaign.
RAJCheldourannualcoalitionawards ceremonyprovidinguswiththe opportunitytorecognizekeymembers fromeachsectorinourcoalition.These individualshavegoneaboveandbeyond intheircontributionsoverthelastyear.
REACH ACROSS JOHNSON COUNTY
BurlesonChamberofCommerceWinterLuncheon:MeettheNon-Profits, thiseventoffersagreatopportunityfornon-profitstoconnectwithlocal businessesandthecommunity,aswellasexplorepotentialcollaborations fortheyearahead.
Firstcoalitionmeetingofthe year,thismonth’smeetingwas verywellattended!American HeartAssociationwasthis month’sResourceSpotlight, theypresentedonsmoke-free ordinancesinourcountyand howyoucangetinvolved.Prom Pop-Upwasdiscussedwithan emphasisontheneedfor volunteersanddonationsof gentlyusedformalwear.
TOBACCO PREVENTION COALITION
Breaking the Cycle: A Community Stand Against Tobacco
AsthesunrisesoverEllisandJohnsonCounties,castingawarmglowonour brightfutures,wefindouryouthfightinganunseenfoe:tobaccoandecigarettes.Yes,folks,tobaccouseisstillaseriouscontenderinthepublic healtharena,especiallyamongourteenagers.
Now,let’ssprinkleinsomenumbers—andtrustus,theyaren’tasboringas theysound!Texasjustgotan“F”onitsReportCardfortobaccoprevention andcontrolefforts.Howdidweenduphere,youask?Whilethestateboasts someseriouscash—tobaccorevenuerakesinaneye-popping $1,741,200,000—onlyatinyslice,$9,382,123,goestopreventionprograms. Talkaboutamismatch!
Anditgetsspicier:thetobaccoindustryhasbeenplayingalonggamewith clevermarketingtacticsthatareassneakyasacatburglar!They’vebeen usingadsthatwhispersweetnothingsaboutfreedomandrebellionfor years.Inrecenttimes,thoseenticinge-cigaretteflavorslikestrawberryand cottoncandyarepracticallyshouting,“Tryme!”Thecharmofsocialmedia influencersandflashypackagingdoesn’tmakeitanyeasier—these productscanbemoreattractivethanamagicianatakid’sparty!
Let’snotforgetourdearstateofTexasearneda“D”foritsaccessto cessationservices.It’slikebeingpromotedtoalevelwedidn’tevenwant! Thankfully,theTexasQuitlineisoursuperherointhisstory,offeringthe guidanceandsupportfolksneedtokickthehabitandembraceasmokefreelife.(ContinuedonPg.18)
TOBACCO PREVENTION COALITION
Butwait,there’smore!Tohelpouryouthriseabovethetemptationsand challengesposedbytobacco,REACHforNicotine-FreeYouthCoalitionis rollingoutYouthQuitKits,tailoredjustforhighschoolers.Theseschoolapproved,crystal-clearzipbagsarepackedwithgoodies—cinnamongum totacklecravings,fidgettoystoeaseanxiety,crunchysnackstomunchon, aprogresscalendarfortrackingtheirsmoke-freejourneys,andmore.
Despiteallthisseriousnessabouthealth,thetobaccoindustryisstill spendingajaw-dropping$635,500,000annuallyintomarketingrighthere inTexas.Yep,youreadthatright—thosesneakyadsarestilltryingtolure ouryouthwithflavoredproductswhilepretendingtobethecoolkidonthe block.
Buthey,we’renotjustgoingtositbackandletthishappen!Wecanbethe change-makerswe’vebeenwaitingfor.Together,let’schampionstronger tobaccocontrollaws,raiseourvoicesagainstdeceptivemarketingtactics, andrallybehindprogramsthatupliftfuturegenerations.
So,here’sthecalltoaction:ifyouorsomeoneyouknowisreadytosay “nope”totobacco,reachouttotheTexasQuitlineat1-800-QUIT-NOW. Remember,everydecisiontorejecttobaccoisaleaptowardahealthier, vibranttomorrow. Together,let’sbreakthecycleoftobaccouseandlightthewayfora brighter,smoke-freefutureinEllisandJohnsonCounties!
REACH PODCAST
Areyousubscribedtoour"REACHingOutWithREACH"podcast?Youcan findusonmostpodcastplatforms!
REACHCouncilbringsyouinformativecontentfromthefieldofsubstance abusepreventionandrecovery.Tuneinforcurrentdrugtrend information,interviewswithsubjectmatterexperts,storiesand testimonials. Hereisarecapofourpastfewepisodes:
December-Lauradiscussedhowtheholidayscanbestressfulforteens andprovidedafewhelpfultips!
January-ElissagivesusmoreinfoonwhatSeasonalAffectiveDisorder (SAD)isandwhatyoucandoaboutit.
Clickheretolisten:https://reachcouncil.podbean.com/
DoyouhaveatopicyouwouldlikeREACHtotalkaboutononeofour podcasts?Pleasesendyourtopicideasto Wendy.Lewis@ReachCouncil.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
ARTS & CRAFTS
HEARTSTAMPS
SUPPLIES
Papertowelrollsortoiletpaperrolls
Rubberbands
Acryliccraftpaint
Source:HappyHooligans
Canvas/paper/cardstockorwhateveryouwanttopainton
DIRECTIONS
Createacreaseinthetopside(attheend)ofthecardboardroll.This willgiveyouthetwobumpsthatformthetopoftheheart.
Squeezethebottomofthecardboardrolltoformthepointybottomof theheart.
Whenyou’rehappywiththewayyourheartlooks,wraparubberband aroundtheendofthetubetoholditinplace.
Now,youcanflipthecardboardtubearoundandmakeaheartoutof theotherendaswell.Thatway,yourkidscandipeachendofthetubein adifferentcolorwhenthey’restamping.
