Dear Friends,


At Prevention Links, we often talk about the quiet work, the kind that doesn’t always make headlines but changes lives every single day.


This week, we’re celebrating someone who has been doing that work for years!


Iliana Chevres, our Site Director at the Elizabethport Community Center, was recently honored with the Community Champion Award at the HACE Foundation Scholarship Gala, hosted by the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth.


The name of the award says it all. Iliana is a champion in every sense—a tireless advocate, a compassionate leader, and a constant source of strength and support for the families we serve.


Whether she’s welcoming a new parent through our doors, organizing programming for children, or offering a listening ear, Iliana leads with empathy and action.


But her impact doesn’t stop with Prevention Links. Iliana is the founder of the Elizabeth Parent Support Group for parents of children with special needs, and she serves on the Elizabeth Board of Education—roles that reflect her deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and dignity for every family in her community.


We’re incredibly proud to have Iliana on our team and even prouder to see her recognized for what we’ve long known to be true: her leadership is rooted in love, and her legacy is one of real, lasting change.


Congratulations Iliana! Thank you for reminding us what community leadership truly looks like.

✨ Program Highlights ✨

SAVE THE DATE: 27th Annual Red Ribbon Day

🗓️ October 11th, 2025

📍Nomahegan Park, Cranford, NJ


Each year, Red Ribbon Day brings together hundreds of community members to walk in remembrance, raise prevention awareness, and take action against the addiction crisis. It’s a day filled with hope, healing, and the powerful reminder that none of us are alone in this fight.


We’ll be launching our official registration page this June! Get ready to:


✔️ Start a peer-to-peer fundraiser

✔️ Register your walk team

✔️ Become an event sponsor

Movie Night: Flight

🗓️ TOMORROW Jun 6 | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

📍Rise Up Recovery Center, Roselle


Join us for a special screening of Flight, a powerful film that explores addiction, accountability, and the journey toward redemption.


This emotionally gripping story opens the door to important conversations and we invite you to come watch, reflect, and connect with others in a supportive space.


🍿 Popcorn provided. All are welcome.

Chess for Recovery

🗓️ TOMORROW Jun 6 | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

📍Vision of Hope Recovery Center, New Brunswick


Looking for a way to unwind, connect, and sharpen your focus? Join us for Recovery Chess: a weekly space where strategy meets support.


Whether you’re a seasoned player or just learning the rules, all are welcome. Come for the game, stay for the community.

SMART Recovery: Virtual

🗓️ Jun 7 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

📍Zoom Meeting ID: 840 7045 0224


SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) offers a science-based, non-spiritual approach to recovery. It’s a supportive space for anyone seeking tools to build motivation, manage urges, and live a more balanced life.


This virtual meeting is a great option for those looking for an alternative, or supplement, to traditional 12-step programs.


Open to all pathways. Come as you are.

Resume Assistance

🗓️ Jun 11 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

📍Bayway Family Success Center, Elizabeth


Looking to build or update your resume? We’re here to help. Liberty FSC offers one-on-one resume support to help you highlight your strengths and get ready for your next opportunity.


Appointments are required—please call 201-622-2210 to schedule.


Let’s take the next step in your career journey, together.

Homework Club

🗓️ Jun 10 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

📍Hosted by Palisades Family Success Center, Union City


Need help with homework, test prep, or school projects? Homework Club is a welcoming space for 1st–6th grade students to practice reading, math, spelling, and more, with support from caring adults.


Let us support your child’s learning in a fun, focused environment.


📞 Call 201-758-8792 for more information or to get started.

 

Prevention Links is a private, non-profit organization with a history dating back to 1971. With community being defined as any environment where people live, work, or learn, the goal of Prevention Links is to pull together all available resources to eliminate the deleterious effects of drugs, alcohol, violence, and inadequate educational and health institutions in our communities


Our mission is to foster healthy sustainable communities by empowering people through education, collaboration and by serving as the linkage to resources.



Thank You to Our Sponsors

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