FOCUS Monthly Newsletter
January 2025

South AL FOCUS Rally

Coming this Spring!


More Information To Follow!


To Our FOCUS Family,


We hope each of you have had a wonderful holiday season. We have some sad news for those of you who attended the 2024 FOCUS Rally, heard Lauren Sisler's keynote address, and received her autographed book titled "Shatter Proof". You learned at the Rally and by reading Lauren's book, that she lost both parents to Fentanyl overdoses. On November 8, 2024, Allen Sisler, Lauren's only sibling, passed away. As a friend and partner of Lauren Sisler's, we are sharing her valuable and heart wrenching thoughts with our FOCUS family. Please keep Lauren in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  

I’ve been sitting with this message for a while now, trying to find the right words to share.


The truth is, there are no perfect words—because life isn’t perfect.


As some of you may know, my family and I are walking through an incredibly difficult season right now after the loss of my brother. 


To say this has been one of the hardest times in my life feels like an understatement.


Grief has a way of showing up when you least expect it, pulling the rug out from under you, and leaving you unsure of how to take the next step.  


I’ll be honest: stepping back into work, standing on the sidelines, and putting on a brave face has felt like a mountain to climb. 


There have been moments when I’ve questioned whether I could even do it.


But someone recently told me, “Getting back out there is a personal victory, even if no one else knows what you’re going through.” And that really stuck with me.  


Sometimes, just showing up is enough. Sometimes, it’s OK not to have it all together.  


If you’re walking through your own hard season, I want you to know you’re not alone. 


Especially during the holidays, when the world around us seems so focused on joy and celebration, it’s easy to feel like we’re the only ones struggling. But that’s not true.  


I don’t have all the answers, but I can promise this: I’ll continue to show up—raw, real, and authentically me - and share what I’m learning along the way.


And I’m grateful for a community like this where I feel free to do so.  


Thank you for your grace and understanding. It means the world to me.  


With love,  

Lauren  


2025 Difference Maker

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN for the 2025 "Difference Maker of the Year!" The Facilitator chosen as the "Difference Maker" will receive $1,000 cash to be used however they choose. The "Difference Maker" will be chosen based on their school's activities, their level of involvement with FOCUS, and the creation of successful prevention activities and events. All nominations must be received by 5:00pm on March 28, 2025.


Click the button below for more information or to nominate a Difference Maker!

Nominate a Difference Maker!

National Wear Red Day and American Heart Month

National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 7, 2025. "Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Wear red to be seen, to be counted, to be heard, to make an impact. Together, we are stronger than heart disease and stroke."


https://www.goredforwomen.org/

Nominations are now open for FOCUS Student of the Month!

Students are Making A Difference each day in your schools, and we would love to feature one each month in our newsletter. If you wish to nominate a student, then please email amymccreless@thefocusprogram.com. We will need the following information to share:



  • Name of student, school and grade level
  • Picture of student 
  • Why they stand out as a FOCUS leader in your school
  • Hobbies or interests
  • Include a quote in which they explain what they love most about FOCUS, how it has made an impact in their life or their goal as a FOCUS member


American Heart Month is celebrated in February to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage people to take steps to prevent it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.

Click Here to Learn More

FOCUS Co-Founder Available to Train Your Students

 

Tom Robertson, the co-founder of FOCUS, is one of the most beloved and engaging youth speakers. With his years of expertise working with young people and the Alabama Department of Public Health, he will bring wisdom and insight to your students while making learning fun.

 

Mr. Robertson can speak on a variety of topics, but he will first train your students in how to conduct focus groups for meaningful student-led prevention. Your students will explore topics and ideas, share ideas, discuss and debate. If you wish to book him, then please contact sjones@thefocusprogram.com.

New Resources Available!


The Middle School Breakout Sessions Slides have been added to the

Facilitator Portal at thefocusprogram.com.


"Fentanyl: Let's Talk About It"

and

"The Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health"

The following video, which can be seen by clicking the button below, was created for schools to use for the Fentanyl Education requirement and addresses medication safety and opioid awareness. This video was created by Nichole Dawsey, Addiction Prevention Coalition's new Deputy Director.

Click here to view the video!

1 in 3 Youth Will Never Have A Mentor

FOCUS is excited to announce our partnership with Ibby Dickson, co-founder of the Alabama Mentoring Initiative and founder of "Mentoring Matters." Since 2017, "Mentoring Matters" has provided opportunities of mentorship to over 2,380 of Alabama's youth. Through "Mentoring Matters," Ibby empowers Alabama's youth by fostering quality mentoring relationships. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in News Media and Political Science from the University of Alabama. Ibby is available to work with your students and has been instrumental in implementing, developing, and advocating for mentoring programs across Alabama. Her schedule is filling up quickly, so contact Sue Jones, sjones@thefocusprogram.com, to schedule your time with Ibby.


Click here to visit "Mentoring Matters" and to learn more about this amazing movement!

Mentoring Matters

COMING SOON!

FOCUS On-Demand Training Videos!



Monthly Health Observances

We encourage all FOCUS schools to engage in at least one health observance activity each month. Each month has some excellent choices for students on your campuses to “Make a Difference” and to encourage their peers to participate.


January

  • 1-31: Thyroid Awareness Month
  • 22-27: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
  • 31: Give Kids A Smile Day


February

  • 1-28: American Heart Month
  • 1-28: National Children's Dental Health Month
  • 1-28: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
  • 4: World Cancer Day
  • 7: National Wear Red Day
  • 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
  • 14: National Donor Day


COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS


FOCUS values continued partnerships with the following state and community organizations.


Alabama Department of Public Health

Alabama Department of Education

Addiction Prevention Coalition

Children's Policy Council

Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Be Part of Making A Difference!

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