Greetings Prevention Champions!

Welcome to the October Edition of the Henrico Area Prevention Services Monthly Newsletter!

🍁 A Note from the Prevention Team

Happy Fall from all of us at Henrico Prevention Services!

As the leaves begin to change, we’re reminded of the beauty of transformation and the importance of nurturing our communities. October is a powerful month in prevention...spotlighting everything from substance use and bullying to domestic violence and breast cancer awareness. We invite you to lean into connection, wellness, and advocacy with us as we work together for a safer, healthier Henrico.

Thank you for being part of this important work. 💙

– The Henrico Prevention Team

October is National Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness of the impact substance use & misuse has on families and communities and to promote proven prevention strategies.

🔹 Learn more at:

SAMHSA Prevention of Substance Use

Explore local prevention services: 🔹https://recovery.henrico.gov/🔹henrico.us/mhds/prevention

This year’s theme is "Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free." Red Ribbon Week encourages youth to make healthy choices and lead by example. Look out for our outreach in schools and across the community during this impactful campaign!

🔹Red Ribbon Campaign

🔹Red Ribbon Week History

💜 Domestic Violence Awareness Month

According to the CDC, about 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Let’s raise awareness, honor survivors, and promote safe, healthy relationships.

🔹 Local resource: Safe Harbor Shelter

🔹VA Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance

🔹National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence

🔹Domestic Violence Toolkit

💙 Bullying Prevention Month

Whether in school or online, bullying affects youth mental health and safety. This month, let’s empower students to speak up, reach out, and build kindness every day.

🔹 Tools for families and schools: stopbullying.gov

🔹 Youth mental health resources: https://henrico.gov/mhds/youth-family-services/

Environmental Strategies

Long-term approaches aimed at changing shared community conditions, like social norms or the availability of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, to reduce risks and create lasting positive change. These strategies focus on the whole population and build momentum for long-term impact.

🕊️ Violence Prevention in Action: Showing Up for Community Healing

Henrico Prevention Services continues to support community safety and healing through direct outreach and trusted partnerships.

Last month, we participated in the Henrico County Police Chief’s Community Walk at Wellington Place Apartments, an initiative designed to build trust between residents, officers, and county staff through casual, face-to-face engagement. We joined other agencies in listening, offering support, and sharing wellness resources to strengthen community ties.

In response to a recent shooting at Wood Post Townhouses Mr. Quincy, our Violence Prevention Coordinator, led a boots-on-the-ground effort to distribute flyers and connect residents with support services offered by Henrico Mental Health & Developmental Services. By meeting residents where they are, literally and emotionally, our goal is to ensure that no one has to process violence or trauma alone.

🔹 Learn more about our services: https://henrico.gov/mhds/

🔹 Learn more about our Lock & Talk Virginia

Have you seen this article?

Henrico Police arrest and charge 8 following multi-jurisdictional vape shop stings

Need Help? Call or Text 988.

Here's a reminder that support is just three digits away. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.

Also visit BeWellVA

Here's what we've been up to...

We've been on the move this fall, connecting and sharing SUICIDE PREVENTION & AWARENESS with youth, families, and community partners through outreach, workshops, and wellness events:

Sept 3 – Regional Recovery Day

A powerful evening celebrating individuals and families in recovery at the Henrico Sports & Events Center.

Sept 10 – Youth Ambassadors Kickoff, Teen Job Prep Celebration & Workshop

We launched the 2025 cohort, honored teens from our summer job program, provided workshop on professionalism.

Sept 11 – Charles City Back-to-School Night

Providing prevention resources and family wellness tools at this evening event.

Sept 13 – Outdoor Mindfulness for Suicide Prevention Awareness

Community members gathered at Dorey Park for guided meditation, movement, and connection in honor of Suicide Prevention Month.

Sept 24 – Chief Walk at Wellington Place

Bringing community and leadership together to walk for safety and connection.

Sept 24 – Youth Ambassador Street Team Kickoff

Our Youth Ambassador Street Team gathered for their first fall meeting, ready to lead with purpose.

Sept 27 – Kinship Awareness Month Celebration

Celebrating the families raising relatives and honoring their strength at Antioch Baptist Church in Varina.

Sept 30 – OMNI Fall State Prevention Summit

Prevention professionals from across the state gathered for a full day of actionable sessions, idea-sharing, and networking.

Here's what we have planned...

October brings even more opportunities to connect!

Here’s a preview of some of our upcoming outreach and tabling events:

Oct 4: Community Connections Day @ Laburnum Park

Oct 4: Glen Allen Day @ Crump Park

Oct 4: NAMI Out of Darkness @ Charles City

Oct 11: Heart Church Ministries + Bernard Greene Memorial 5K

Oct 22–24: CARF Review – Accreditation in Action

Oct 25: National Drug Take Back Day

Oct 29: Chief Walk

👟 Youth Leading the Way: Ambassadors & YAST in Action

Our Youth Ambassadors and Youth Ambassador Street Team (YAST) hit the ground running this Fall! From launching their kickoff meetings in September to planning future prevention events and campaigns, these young leaders are using their voices to spark change. Whether representing Henrico at leadership events or brainstorming creative ways to address youth substance use, mental wellness, and community safety, they've accepted the charge to lead with passion, purpose, and power.

Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition is a 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit Organization that promotes health and wellness in Henrico County with a primary focus on reducing youth substance abuse through education, advocacy and capacity building.

The next general body meeting will be in person on October 17th. Please email Terrell Pollard at henricotoosmart2start@gmail.com

Follow the coalition on Facebook and Instagram

📣 You're Invited: It Takes a Village Community Conversation

Hosted by Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition

Join us for a powerful evening of dialogue, education, and action to prevent youth substance misuse and drugged driving in Henrico County.

With vape shops on the rise and retail marijuana on the horizon, your voice matters more than ever.

Event Highlights:

🛍️ Resource Fair + Refreshments

🎮 Youth Ages 13–17: ThinkFast Interactive – an engaging prevention game with prizes

🕵️‍♂️ Parents & Adults: Hidden in Plain Sight – a walk-through experience to spot signs of substance use

🎤 Panel Discussion:

• Hear from local experts and leaders
• Learn about Henrico-specific trends and prevention strategies
• Share your questions and ideas



Let’s work together to protect our youth and strengthen our community...because it truly does take a village.

🔗 RSVP HERE!

News the Henrico Community Can Use!

Find out about free family centered events happening at the Oak in Find out about free family centered events happening at the Oak in October!!

Check out https://linktr.ee/henricorecparks for Henrico resources and events for the whole family.

Check out this short video on how prioritizing wellness, mentally, physically, and emotionally, can help prevent substance use and promote healthier choices for individuals and communities.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Henrico Prevention offers various FREE community-based trainings supporting mental health awareness, substance use prevention, and wellness.

Visit BeWellVA.com for regional training opportunities.



Be Well VA is the Community Services Boards Office on Prevention regional approach to bring awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promote wellness for life. We are a local resource to help you find your path to emotional well-being. Find out what’s happening in your community, learn more, and BE WELL Virginia!

Henrico Prevention thrives on your input and engagement. We invite you to share your thoughts on our newsletter...what you loved, what you'd like to see more of, and any ideas for future content. Your valuable feedback helps us tailor our communications to better serve your needs and interests.