Prom Pop Up cont’d
Pg 2
Board Member Spotlight
Pg 3
Youth Prevention Education
Pg 4
Youth Recovery Communities
Pgs 5-6
Tobacco Prevention Coalition
Pgs 7-9
Coalition & Community
Pgs 10-16
REACH Podcast
Pg 17
Upcoming Events
Pgs 18-19
Sponsors & Fundraising
Pgs 20-21
Arts & Crafts
Pg 22
Contact Us
Pg 23
REACH Council hosted our 4th annual Prom Pop-Up event series this quarter. These events offer students an opportunity to shop for free formal wear for their upcoming prom, graduation, or school banquet. This year’s event was bigger and better than ever - from adding an additional location to making the “Wake Up to Something Good” segment on Channel 5 news!
Click HERE to watch the clip!
The events were held in Waxahachie, Burleson, as well as our newest location in Cleburne thanks to the help of Cleburne ISD, Johnson County Crime Stoppers, and Cleburne Bible Church. The students and their families who attended these events also had an opportunity to visit our education tables and learn more about substance misuse, healthy relationships, coping with anxiety, and more!
We are so thankful for all of our amazing donors and event sponsors who made this possible for the students of Ellis, Johnson, and surrounding counties. We want to give a huge shoutout to Whatchamacallit, Rex Formal Wear, and all of those who donated their gently used items. Overall, 86% of students who attended these events left with at least one item for their prom. Thank you for helping make this year’s event so successful!
To donate your gently used formal attire, or to learn more about how you can get involved next year, please reach out to us at info@ReachCouncil.org!
“People who think they can’t go to the prom because of the cost of a dress or a suit can receive everything they need. I think this makes prom available to everyone who wants to come. ”
- local high school senior who attended Prom Pop-Up
Denise has been a proud resident of Midlothian, Texas for two decades and has worn many hats over the years. As a devoted spouse, she’s shared her life with her partner in this charming Texan town. Raising three children within the Midlothian School District, Denise has been an active participant in her community.
Her commitment extends beyond family and education—she’s dedicated 20 years to the Girl Scouts, fostering leadership and empowerment among young girls.
As the driving force behind Magic Destinations Travel, Denise crafts personalized adventures, ensuring stress-free planning for her clients.
In addition to her expertise in travel planning, Denise also dedicates part of her time to creating decorated cakes at the local Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery. This unique blend of interests showcases her versatility and dedication to bringing joy to others in multiple facets of life.
Denise connected with REACH Council many years ago when her youngest daughter, Dani, signed up to help as a youth volunteer during REACH's annual REACH Explorers Summer Enrichment Program. Denise became aquainted with REACH's programs, staff and mission through Dani's, and later also Dani's fellow scouts', many years of volunteering with REACH.
REACH is excited to have her join our wonderful and supportive Board of Directors!
Summer is just around the corner, which means schools are wrapping up and getting ready for summer break. Our dedicated Youth Prevention team is finishing up their lessons at partnership schools in Johnson and Ellis counties. This includes completing our Too Good for Drugs curriculum in 6th grade at Midlothian ISD's Walnut Grove Middle School and 7th grade at Joshua ISD's Loflin and Nichols Middle Schools. Additionally, we are concluding our LifeSkills Training curriculum in 6th grade at Red Oak Middle School. Our Kids Connection program for elementary students of all ages is also wrapping up at the following schools: Alvarado ISD’s Alvarado South, Alvarado North and Lillian, Burleson ISD’s Frazier, Midlothian ISD’s Coleman, Longbranch, Miller, Baxter and Vitovsky, and Red Oak ISD’s Schupmann. We express our sincere gratitude to all the schools in Ellis and Johnson counties for welcoming us and allowing us to educate their students this school year. The support and assistance from the staff and faculty members have been invaluable. Thank you to everyone involved in making these programs a success!
June 3rd-7th we will be hosting our annual free week-long half-day REACH Explorers Summer Enrichment Program for local elementary students. This year’s theme is the Wild West. Check out the “Upcoming Events” section of the newsletter for more information or email Ashley.Paramore@ReachCouncil.org.
Our Pro-Social Events are regular, organized events designed to bring participants together to engage in fun activities with the goal of creating pro-social relationships while exploring team building skills, coping mechanisms, and creativity without the use of substances. If you want to join, learn more, or to refer someone to YRC, email us at JoinYRC@ReachCouncil.org.
Our participants are having so much fun, and so are we! This spring, our YRC events included:
mini golf and escape room event at The Great Escape
“Communication Styles” support group for parents and youth to identify their own communication styles in order to strengthen their relationship and encourage a healthier home environment
“Express Yourself” creative workshop where youth and participants painted “Hidden in Plain Sight” presentation for parents axe throwing at Battle Axes
we will visit Heaven’s Attic Thrift (by Manna House).
Take a look at all of the fun summer activities our YRC team has planned!
ReachForNicotineFreeYouthhasbeenonthemove!Withourmissionbeing "Workingtogether,asacommunity,tochangesocialnormssurroundingtobacco andnicotineusewhilecreatinghealthierfutures,"wehavebeenworkingtocreate funandengagingactivitiescenteredaroundthedangersoftobaccoandvaping.
OnMarch26thandApril2ndweparticipatedinTexasTobaccoFreeKidsDaywith "chalkthewalk"activitiesinMidlothian.April13thweattendedtheTxSayWhat actionsummitinDallas.Peer-ledbytheTeenAmbassadors,wehadafundayfull bondingwithlikemindedyouth.Wewillbe inAustinandwillbetaking10youth,grades
A community needs assessment can help identify areas for improvement within local policy. Please take our survey to help identify areas of improvement surrounding tobacco and vape smoke in our community.
To take the survey, click HERE or scan the QR code.
2-21-24
REACH staff provided alternative activities at the Waxahachie Driving School to teach about the dangers and consequences of alcohol and drugs
2-23-24
REACH Council, Crime Stoppers of Ellis County, and The Avenue Church collaborated to bring Jermaine Galloway aka “Tall Cop” to Ellis County to provide his High In Plain Sight training to law enforcement, school administrators, prevention specialists, juvenile probation staff, parents, and community members.
3-7-24
Cassie Street, REACH Council Chief Operating Officer, presented to the Midlothian Lion’s Club.
Erica Vyers, REACH Across Johnson County Coalition Coordinator, participated in the Cleburne ISD Multicultural Fair, an event to highlight the many different cultures that make up our community. She was able to hand out worry dolls that originated from Guatemala 3-7-24
3-8-24
Shari Phillips, REACH Council Community Liaison, participated in the Waxahachie ISD D E A R (Drop Everything and Read) Day at Clift Elementary
Shari also had the opportunity to be a judge alongside Miss Texas and Miss Texarkana at the DPS Regional Public Information Officers Competition in Dallas 3-21-24
4-2-24
Tom Kowatch, Director of School Programs, provided a presentation to parents on “Why Talk About Teen Substance Use” at the Life High School in Waxahachie
4-6-24
REACH Across Johnson County attended the 3rd annual Light Up the Night event, a free community event hosted by the Center for ASD The Center for ASD is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with special needs and their families.
4-11-24
REACH staff had fun hanging with students from New Horizon High School to talk about coping with stress and anxiety. They also enjoyed making “calm down bottles”
Thank you to Pathway Church in Burleson for hosting “Serve Together” weekend. It is wonderful to see the community come together for the same purpose. 4-14-24
4-16-24
REACH staff participated in the Ellis County Resource Expo to share what resources we are able to provide to the community
REACH staff attended the United Way Mission Matters Training 4-18-24
4-27-24
Many thanks to our Ellis County Law Enforcement partners that participated in the DEA Drug Take Back Day giving citizens a safe way to dispose of their expired and unused medications. Shout out to KBEC for helping to promote the events across the county and doing a live report at the Waxahachie location
These lucky Alvarado ISD students attended the REACH Across Johnson County Prom Pop Up Event and won raffle items to be used for their prom.
Are you subscribed to our "REACHing Out With REACH" podcast?
You can listen at www.reachcouncil.podbean.com OR you can find us on most other podcast platforms!
Here is a recap of our past few episodes:
In February, Kryslyn talked about SELF LOVE. In March, Heather discussed how SLEEP is important to our mental health.
In April, the REACH Across Johnson County team discussed and dispelled ALCOHOL MYTHS.
Do you have a topic you would like REACH to talk about on one of our podcasts? Please send your topic ideas to Wendy.Lewis@ReachCouncil.org.
Thank you to Scooter’s Coffee in Midlothian for allowing us to have a fundraiser at your establishment!
Thank you to Brookshire’s in Midlothian for donating to our YRC program!
Thank you to the following sponsors for their contributions to our Prom Pop Up events! We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you!
