As I get older, I like fall more and more. I am not much of a pumpkin spiced latte person, but I love the cooler weather, warmer clothes, and calmness the fall brings. Oh my gosh, writing that the fall brings “calmness” made me laugh - calmness? What is that? I have a 3 year old, 6 year old and an 8 year old…there isn’t much calm around here. We are constantly on the go in the fall. Pumpkin patches, flag football, apple picking, pumpkin walks, halloween decorations, costumes, everything. Fall is wild. I retract my calmness statement but everything else remains. Fall is a great season!
At Community Action for Healthy Living, we are celebrating even something better than fall! CAHL is 20 years old this year!!!! 20 years of prevention services in the community, 20 years of tobacco control, 20 years of partnerships, and 20 years of progress towards a healthier community for our youth. Some days we feel we are going backwards in our efforts, but when we look up from the day-to-day grind, we see many of your faces still cheering us on, telling us to move forward and telling us we are doing great work. And for that, we celebrate YOU!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continuously supporting our organization and our work. We would not be here without our coalition members of the past and the present. We thank you and appreciate you so much! 20 years is a big deal for a coalition and we are so proud! Please, send me an email with a memory you have of working with CAHL over the last 20 years! I’d like to compile them for a 20 year anniversary splash (and at some point, maybe even a party!). We have a lot more work to do and we will be here no matter how hard it gets! Congratulations, CAHL - Happy 20 years! ( Check out these photos from almost 10 years ago!)
Thank you all for trusting in me to lead this wonderful organization,
Wendy Vander Zanden
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Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative partners with REACH |
The Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative and REACH partnered to promote the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Small Talks Campaign in Calumet County. The Small Talks campaign targets parents, caregivers, and mentors to encourage casual conversations regarding alcohol with the goal to prevent underage drinking. Through this pilot, additional messaging specific to the seven cancers connected to drinking alcohol will be shared.
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Over the last months, REACH has attended several community events to spread awareness with the Keeping Kids Safe Campaign. REACH staff have spoken with community members about monitoring and securing medications and alcohol in their homes. Through various state grants REACH is also able to supply free resources such as Deterra packets, medication lock boxes and bags, and refrigerator locks. Since August REACH has given these resources to more than 60 families.
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REACH Red Ribbon Week Returns |
Be on the look out October 23 through 31 for REACH Red Ribbon Week. This campaign, designed and sponsored by REACH, seeks to raise awareness on youth drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention. Follow along on the REACH Facebook Page to see all the ways Calumet County supports substance misuse prevention. Contact Annie to pledge your support, today! |
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Tobacco Compliance Checks Suspended |
Wisconsin Wins is a science-based, state-level initiative designed to decrease youth access to tobacco products. Through Wins, investigations or compliance checks, are conducted to facilitate retailer compliance with the law.
Due to the on going COVID-19 pandemic, WI Wins compliance checks have been suspended through the end of 2021. CAHL will continue to network and outreach to retailers and community partners to prevent the underage sale of tobacco products.
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Tobacco21 Policies Work, When Done Right |
A new Tobacco 21 bill has been reintroduced into the Wisconsin Legislature to raise the state legal minimum smoking age from 18 to 21. While it would raise the minimum smoking age, it also contains some language and components that are not best practice public health policy. Learn more about best practices and why it's important to get policy right. |
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Make Youth Tobacco Prevention a Priority at your School |
CAHL is looking for interested schools to implement an evidence-based youth tobacco prevention curriculum this school year! We're excited to offer up to $3000 (negotiable and based on activities) to implement FACT activities. Anyone interested in learning more can contact Emma. |
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After three years, it is time to say farewell. Hannah Wilz, our Youth and Communications Coordinator, has accepted a position with Winnebago County, working as their Drug-Free Communities Project Coordinator. "It has been bittersweet leaving an organization that has given me my first experience in youth prevention efforts. Without the mentors, community members, partners, and incredible youth, I would not be as experienced as I am today. I can not speak highly enough of our staff and board members. I know they will continue to make great strides in eliminating youth substance misuse.”
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We're looking to fill big shoes with a new REACH Coalition Youth and Communications Coordinator.
This part-time position will require approximately 20 hours of effort per week; normal work hours are daytime, Monday-Friday, but some evenings and weekends will be required.
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