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HERALD
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DECEMBER 28, 2023 - JANUARY 3, 2024
What’s What’s
INSIDE INSIDE
Vol. 00 No. 1
HERALD PERSON oF THE YEAR AliSOn ErikSEn
A life of keeping Oceanside SAFE By Kepherd Daniel
A senior class defined by strength and unity moves on Page 6 A
Alison Eriksen has dedicated her life to bettering the Oceanside home she grew up in, as well as for the people who live within it. There are many ways it can be done — and Eriksen has been involved with many of them — but now she’s making a difference as project coordinator for Oceanside SAFE Coalition, in response to overdose and suicide deaths. And it’s those efforts that now earn her recognition as the Oceanside/Island Park Person of the Year. Eriksen has spent 15 years working and volunteering in the human services field. She is a licensed social worker by trade, earning her master’s degree from Adelphi Univerhe really sity in 2013. is a Her clinical background serves those living with severe mental illness, powerhouse and substance abuse disorders, chronic a person who homelessness, and sick children at home. Even when she was a student believes that at Oceanside High School in the we can make a early 2000s, Eriksen had an interest in human behavior, psychology, and in positive impact. helping others. By learning more about policy and Dan RinalDi bringing social work practice to comOceanside SAFE munities, Eriksen saw the kind of board vice president difference she could make on a community level. She was involved in the creation of the Makeshift Movement, joining other Oceanside High graduates in 2015 to create safe spaces that would allow people to openly talk about mental health, suicide and substance abuse. “We wanted to make sure that we were encouraging conversation and action from our community, " Eriksen said. “Let's get to work and let's stop saying ‘thoughts and prayers.’” Which, of course, is a common response when people hear news about someone dying — something Eriksen and her high school alum were hearing too much about what are otherwise stigmatized topics like overdose and suicide. The Makeshift Movement spearheaded community events and awareness efforts such as education panels, resource fairs, media campaigns, and even a community art project. It was through this Eriksen was introduced to Oceanside SAFE — short for “substance abuse-free environment” — that was led by Oceanside High health teacher Sara Dowler. The coalition’s mission is to help prevent and reduce alcohol and drug use among young people by expand prevention education, hosting workshops, and providing community prevention events, evidence-based prevention programming, and aware-
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ness campaigns. The Makeshift Movement dissolved as members dispersed to different communities, but Oceanside SAFE has carried on. In fact, the coalition was awarded a federal grant in 2019 that was enough to keep it operating at least into next year. And then it was time for Eriksen to truly take charge, with Dowler’s blessing, leading day-to-day operations at Oceanside SAFE. “Ali’s the best,” said Dan Rinaldi, the coalition’s vice president and a community psychologist. “She really is a powerhouse and a person who believes that we can make a positive impact. I think a lot of people can feel helpless, but Ali just rolls up her sleeves, gets to work, and makes it happen. “Ali really knows how to get down to business and make things happen as well as everybody on our board.” Frances Gallin, who raised her kids in Oceanside, joined the coalition because she wanted to give back to the community by ensuring it remained a safe environment for young people. “Ali has been a great asset to the coalition,” Gallin said. “Ali Continued on page 2 Dina Ewashko/Herald
Alison Eriksen is dedicated to keeping Oceanside residents aware of substance abuse and mental health. Those efforts opened the door for her to become the Herald's Person of the Year.