REACH
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2024
Continuing to Further Our Reach By: Emma Shelby
In September 2023, REACH Council was awarded a Tobacco Prevention Coalition grant! As a result we established the REACH for Nicotine-free Youth Coalition in Ellis and Johnson Counties. The coalition is for students in middle school or high school who are interested in helping the community and changing community norms related to tobacco and nicotine use. Emma Shelby, who started with REACH Council in 2016 as a Youth Prevention Specialist, and Brandy Santisteven, who recently joined the REACH Council team, will serve as the two Tobacco Coalition Coordinators.
What's Inside ? Staff Spotlight Page 2
Intern Spotlight Page 3
REACH Podcast Page 4
The coalition offers leadership skills and training for the youth involved through TxSayWhat! which is a program designed to promote anti-vaping campaigns and trainings.
Youth Prevention Education
If you are interested in finding out more information and how you can get involved, email Special Programs Director Wendy Lewis at Wendy.Lewis@ReachCouncil.org
Coalition & Community
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Youth Recovery Communities Page 6
Pages 7-20
Upcoming Events Pages 21-24
Arts & Crafts Pages 25-26
Sponsors & Fundraising Pages 27-29
Contact Us Page 30
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT Kryslyn Kellner Hi, my name is Kryslyn Kellner. I am the new Peer Recovery Leader for the YRC program. I have been in recovery for 9 years. I worked in the restaurant and fitness industries prior to working for REACH. I was born and raised in Hillsboro, TX. I am very active within my church and my community. A fun fact about me is that I have been a youth pastor part time for 5 years. I enjoy working out, crafting, outreach and laughing a lot. My position at REACH has been an answered prayer.
Brandy Santisteven Hey! My name is Brandy Santisteven. I'm married to my best friend. We have 4 grown children and a 5 year old grandson that is the light of my life! I've lived in Johnson County my entire life and have a banking/financial background. Youth prevention and recovery work is new to me but has always been a passion. I'm excited to work with REACH as the new Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for our TPC program and make an impact in our community!
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INTERN SPOTLIGHT As part of our commitment to the continued development of the fields of prevention and recovery support, REACH is proud to serve as a field placement organization for individuals seeking internships in their final semesters of their undergraduate and graduate programs. We accept interns seeking degrees in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Health and other helping professions and work with most local universities. REACH is also able to serve as a placement for individuals seeking to acquire hours and supervision for the Recovery Support Peer Specialist certification. We have been honored to serve as a placement to over a dozen wonderful interns in the last 10 years and look forward to continuing to be a part of new helping professionals journey. For information about internship opportunities, please visit our website or contact Cassie Street, LMSW, LCDC at Cassandra.Street@ReachCouncil.org
Introducing our Spring 2024 interns! Joni Saraceni Hi, I’m Joni. I am an intern studying at Tarleton State University. I graduate in May with my bachelors of Psychology. I have an 8 year old son named Ethan. I am also a lead Pre-K teacher at The Learning Station in Midlothian.
Fatima Santos Hello, my name is Fatima Santos. I am currently a student at University of Texas at Arlington, completing a bachelor’s of Social Work and a minor in General Psychology. My passion is working with children, especially with those within the disabled community. I plan to begin my master’s in Social Work in the fall semester of 2024, specializing in health. My favorite thing to do is trying new coffee shops. www.ReachCouncil.org
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REACH PODCAST Are you subscribed to our “REACHing Out With REACH“ podcast? You can find us on most podcast platforms! Here is a recap of our past few episodes: -In November, Jennifer shared a special message from Dr. Cassandra LeClair during the RISE Conference on self-compassion and strengthening your resiliency. Click HERE to listen. -In December, we learned about boundaries, burnout, and balance with Heidi. She had an interview with her friend, Erin, an LPC. They discussed the balance you need to create in life around the limits and rules we set for ourselves. Click HERE to listen. -In January, Shari interviewed the “Tall Cop,” Jermaine Galloway. He spoke about one of the seminars that he does around the country, High in Plain Sight. Click HERE to listen. 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.
“You’re listening to ‘REACHing Out with REACH’!”
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YOUTH PREVENTION EDUCATION School is back in session! We enjoyed celebrating the holidays with our loved ones and are already back in full swing at most of our schools. Our Youth Prevention team is ready for another great spring semester at all of the schools we are in partnership with. We know the school staff works hard at ensuring everything goes smoothly as we reach these awesome students, and we are so appreciative!
Our YP team at the “Grinch”-themed holiday party for REACH staff and board members.
We are providing lessons in many different schools spanning between Johnson and Ellis counties this new spring semester. Our Too Good for Drugs curriculum is being taught in the middle schools in Midlothian ISD at Walnut Grove, and in Joshua ISD at Loflin and Nichols. For our elementary students, the Kids Connection program is being facilitated at many of our schools over the two counties. Some of the schools we are teaching in this semester are Alvarado South, Alvarado North, Longbranch, Lillian, Frazier, Coleman, Miller, Baxter, Bowie, and Schupmann. www.ReachCouncil.org
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YOUTH RECOVERY COMMUNITIES 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. This winter, YRC hosted a family Christmas event for parents and youth to play games, make s’mores, exchange gifts provided by REACH, and sing karaoke. In addition, we also hosted a “growth” creative workshop where youth and participants potted seeds. Meanwhile, parents came together to create vision boards with YRC’s family liaison. We have our quarterly community service event approaching where we will hand make Valentines Day cards to give out to seniors at the Midlothian Senior Center. Our participants are having so much fun, and so are we!
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COALITION & COMMUNITY November REACH has continued to partner with Callie Crow from Drew’s 27 Chains to spread fentanyl education and awareness. This training on November 2nd educated Burleson ISD staff.
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Our partnership with the Burleson Library continued as we hosted a chocolate tasting event with author Amber Royer. She discussed the history and health benefits of chocolate, and participants were able to taste different chocolates from around the world.
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COALITION & COMMUNITY December REACH Staff participated in the Red Oak Christmas Festival on December 2nd.
REACH and Drew’s 27 Chains presented a Fentanyl Awareness & Naloxone Training at the Burleson ISD SHAC Meeting.
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Students at SWAU were able to build their own stress kit before finals week with various items related to stress relief, mindfulness, and relaxation.
Mrs. Cooper’s 1st Grade Clift Elementary Christmas Party painting wood Christmas stocking ornaments provided by REACH.
www.ReachCouncil.org
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COALITION & COMMUNITY REACH Council hosted a “Grinch” themed holiday party for staff and board members on December 18th. We had a potluck brunch menu and hot chocolate bar and enjoyed playing games like “Pin the Heart on the Grinch” while in our PJs!
Party planning team (plus the Grinch!)
REACH staff & board members
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COALITION & COMMUNITY January On January 24th, REACH, in collaboration with Impact Communities, provided the Red Oak ISD Street Team with training in regards to vaping, fentanyl awareness, naloxone, communications and boundaries.
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Fill Your Cup Funds Fill Your Cup Funds was created to help teachers in Johnson County gain access to stress-relief activities for themselves and/or their students without the added stress of paying out of pocket. REACH has helped fulfill many requests. Take a look! Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup!
A BISD teacher received fidget stress balls for her students to help ease anxiety during finals week. “You would have thought I was handing out cash, my students were so excited!!!”
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COALITION & COMMUNITY An art teacher in BISD applied to receive funding to purchase new classroom rugs for her students to sit on to promote connection between her students during both classroom instruction and free-time.
www.ReachCouncil.org
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COALITION & COMMUNITY A teacher in Cleburne ISD received stress-relieving classroom items and items for her students. These items also helped to connect her and her students. She shares, “I also have a student who is legally blind who HIGHLY enjoys the textured stickers for anxiety. It was a delight to get to see this student “feel” the different patterns. I was able to teach the breathing technique easily for this student to use by touch.”
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COALITION & COMMUNITY The staff at Burleson Collegiate High School were treated to an event at Burleson Axe Throwing. This event took place before the holiday break, and it gave teachers a time to connect and celebrate the ending of the semester.
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COALITION & COMMUNITY A teacher in BISD received fidget items for her elementary students, which help them to remain focused during classroom instruction. These fidgets allow them to move around without disrupting the other students. She has also created a “Sticker Store” to reward her students for good behavior, and she is creating a reading corner in her classroom to allow her students down time during the day to relax with a book.
www.ReachCouncil.org
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Sherrie Smith, counselor at Nola Dunn Elementary in Burleson, applied for her campus to receive a wellness room for her staff. This room, equipped with a massage chair and other relaxation items, allows teachers and staff a safe place to regroup throughout the day as needed. She also hosts Wellness Wednesdays, which further encourages teachers and staff to make time for their mental health.
Some feedback from teachers include: It’s soooo nice to have a quiet escape and clear my mind. As a mom and a teacher it’s almost impossible to make that happen. I felt refreshed and ready to finish out the day strong after using it. Thank you! Holy Moly! I felt like I was able to escape the demands of the endless list of tasks this job has. I am so grateful to have this area to truly relax and reset myself. Thank you so much! I was overwhelmed with stress but I was able to relax! Knowing people made this room for teachers and that they care makes a huge difference! Thank you! We also created a wellness room similar to this one at Coleman Elementary in Cleburne. www.ReachCouncil.org
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COALITION & COMMUNITY Teachers and staff at Cleburne High School participated in a guided painting class with Splatters Studios and Co, a mobile art studio. This event allowed teachers to relax, connect with coworkers, and show off their artistic abilities.
www.ReachCouncil.org
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COALITION & COMMUNITY An English teacher in Cleburne ISD applied to receive educational supplies to host a weekly after school activity for seniors to help them learn more about time management and avoiding procrastination. She also received bracelets and stickers to pass out to her students throughout the school year. She pairs these items with a personally written letter to remind her students that they are each loved and important!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPCOMING EVENTS
401 Ferris Ave. Waxahachie
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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ARTS & CRAFTS White Chocolate Covered Oreos Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 36 oreos Ingredients: 36 oreo sandwich cookies 12 ounces of white melting chocolate 6 ounces of dark melting chocolate
Instructions: 1. Place the white chocolate melts in a microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted. Be careful not to burn it. 2. Dip one cookie at a time into the melted white chocolate. Once fully coated, remove it from the chocolate with a fork and place it on a baking sheet. 3. Once all the cookies are covered, melt the dark chocolate in a microwavesafe mixing bowl in 30 second increments until fully melted. 4. With a spoon, drizzle the melted dark chocolate on top of the cookies. 5. Let sit for 30 minutes in the fridge to cool and let the chocolate harden. 6. Remove them from the sheet pan and store them in an airtight container.
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ARTS & CRAFTS DIY Fake Snow Prep Time: 5 minutes Materials: Baking Soda White Hair Conditioner Large Bowl Instructions: Add 2½ cups of pure baking soda and ½ cup of white hair conditioner in a bowl Mix ingredients until completely combined
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SPONSORS & FUNDRAISING Thank you to Southwest Kia of Dallas for their donations to our Rise Mental Health Conference and our Prom Pop Up events!
www.ReachCouncil.org
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CONTACT US Physical address: 208 S. 4th St., Midlothian, TX 76065 Mailing address: P.O. Box 598, Midlothian, TX 76065 Email: Info@ReachCouncil.org Phone number: 972-723-1053
Follow Us on Social Media REACH: @reach.council YRC: @YRC.Reach RAJC: @reachacrossjohnsoncounty TPC: @Rfnfy.reach
REACH: @reach_council YRC: @yrc.reach RAJC: @reachacrossjohnsoncounty TPC: @Rfnfy.reach
www.ReachCouncil.org
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