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The Charlestown Coalition News:
Issue 18
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After a coalition evaluation was completed in 2017 by the Drug Free Community's National Evaluations Team, Charlestown Coalition Director, Sarah Coughlin, was asked to present at the 2018
CADCA
Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Maryland. In a workshop titled, Building Community Capacity to Address Emerging Substance Use Challenges: Lessons from Drug-Free Community Coalitions,
Sarah shared how the Charlestown Coalition works to combat opioid use through local prevention efforts.
Our Prevention Program Coordinator, Ginaya Greene Murray, and MGH Center for Community Health Improvement Evaulation team member, Kelly Washburn, also attended the CADCA Forum.
(L-R: Kelly Washburn, Coalition Evaluator, Greene Murray, Prevention Program Coordinator)
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| Coalition Appreciation Dinner |
During our Annual Coalition Appreciation Dinner, we honored Luis Rodriguez for his hard work and unique ability to engage with the most vulnerable populations in Charlestown. We also celebrated with our Steering Committee partners and everyone who supports our efforts to improve protective factors for those in our community. Thank you to all who came and especially to the Warren Tavern for hosting such a wonderful evening!
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Often, the Charlestown community is organizing Go Fund Me pages to pay for funeral costs or other needs following a tragedy. But, Tyler Moran, a young man from Charlestown, is working to keep kids engaged in positive activities to prevent community tragedies from occurring. We are hoping you will support his worthy cause! Please click here for more details.
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Turn it Around :
Youth of the Month
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| Oumar Balde |
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Oumar Balde
is our February Turn It Around Youth of the Month."Oumar is a reserved young man who brings positive energy to any environment. Although he doesn't always have much to say, when he does, it's insightful and kind."
-Ginaya Greene Murray
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| Turn It Around Serves Boston |
Turn It Around
youth started volunteering at the Boston Rescue Mission in downtown Boston last week. Their goal is to volunteer at as many Boston's shelters as possible to help combat the stigma of homelessness and substance use. We hope this will become a regular stop since the kids had such a meaningful experience.
(L-R: Casey Maloy, Ibrahim Balde, Melvin Jones Jr., Andrew Miller, Oumar Balde)
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It's our pleasure to announce that Turn It Around has received the
Love Your Block Grant
! This grant will allow us to revitalize a neighborhood park, creating a "Peace Park" dedicated to loved ones lost to community violence, substance use, and any other tragedies.
Most of the parks in Charlestown are used for recreational activities, and do not have the tranquil setting we aim to achieve at Mt. Vernon Street Plaza. By cleaning, restoring and revitalizing Mt. Vernon Street Plaza with planter boxes, landscaping and flowers, memory rocks, small solar-powered water features and lights, we hope to build a sacred space dedicated to peace and hope. Our Turn It Around youth group, made up of of nearly 40 adolescents, has committed to maintaining and overseeing the the project once it is completed.
We will keep you updated as the project moves forward.
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| Nicholas Coutis |
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Nicholas Coutis is sharing his journey in recovery with us this month.
Click below for the full interview.
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Get Connected, Stay Informed
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To learn about our programs, our staff, community partners, resources, upcoming events,
Turn It Around
, and more, click the button below:
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