June 2018 Newsletter
Highlights & Annoucements
SAPCA's 2017 Annual Report is Live! 
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) has released its 2017 Annual Report. A few noteworthy accomplishments highlighted in the report include reductions in the current use of alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes among youth between 2011 and 2017, a feature on SAPCA's engagement with over 7,000 youth and adults, and a summary of coalition initiatives!

To learn more about SAPCA's accomplishments, please  click here  to view the full report! 
Virginia ABC Awards Grant to SAPCA
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) recently awarded SAPCA with a $7,996 grant to continue its underage drinking and high-risk alcohol use prevention work. This funding will help SAPCA continue to hold Project Sticker Shock, an annual youth-led community awareness initiative designed to educate adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. Funds will also be used to focus on social hosting prevention by continuing to promote the "Parents Who Host, Lose the Most" campaign. Stay tuned for more information about these upcoming initiatives!
SAPCA Welcomes New Coordinator
We are excited to announce our new SAPCA Coordinator, Emma Beall, who began this position June 1! She is a T.C. Williams High School graduate and participated in SAPCA events during her time as a T.C. Titan.
Meet SAPCA's New Coordinator!

Emma Beall, an Alexandria native, received her Master's in Public Health from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in May 2018. She also received her Bachelor's of Science in Public Health from Tulane University. Emma has previously worked at the local, state and national levels through positions with the Louisiana Public Health Institute, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. During her time at T.C., Emma was a founding member of the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy's "Keep It 360" club. She was also  appointed to serve on the City of Alexandria's Children, Youth, and Family Collaborative Commission as a youth representative.  Emma is thrilled to be back in Alexandria and excited to hit the ground running as the new Coordinator for the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria!
Congratulations and Farewell to Lauren Kiefert

Congratulations to Lauren Kiefert, outgoing SAPCA coordinator, for completing her Master's in Public Health from George Washington University! On behalf of SAPCA, we wish you all the best as you embark on your next adventure, and are so appreciative of all your hard work during your time here.
ACAP and SAPCA Host Titan Takeover Pool Party


SAPCA and the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP) partnered to host the first ever Titan Takeover Pool Party on May 11 at Chinquapin Recreation Center. Over 65 youth enjoyed inflatable pool games, food from Chick-Fil-A, a photo booth, DJ, and a candy station. Youth also walked away with prevention information. Titan Takeover events are hosted quarterly at recreation centers throughout the city and are free for all teenagers residing in Alexandria.
 

SAPCA and Community Partners Host Healthy Conversations 

On the evening of May 9, Hammond Middle School parents and their children gathered in the cafeteria to participate in the Healthy Conversations Dinner hosted by SAPCA, ACAP, ACPS' Family and Community Engagement Center and Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia. The Healthy Conversations Dinner takes parents and their children through various peer pressure-related scenarios and asks them to communicate how they would like each other to respond in those situations and what kind of support they might need. The event also includes short presentations from subject matter experts and school staff on setting boundaries and expectations, the social and legal consequences of unhealthy behaviors and creating goals and commitments as a family. Hammond participants engaged in rich, intergenerational conversation over a pasta dinner and left feeling more at ease about addressing difficult topics as a family.
Calling all Alexandria teens, parents and community members!

Are you interested in joining a diverse team of individuals and organizations dedicated to prevention efforts targeting Alexandria youth? Do you know a friend or neighbor that is passionate about reducing underage substance abuse and use? Can you think of any businesses, faith communities, non-profits or other organizations in Alexandria that are interested in collaboratively improving adolescent health and well-being?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, please contact Emma Beall to learn more about opportunities, small and large, to become involved with SAPCA.

Office: 703.746.3670
Cell: 571.302.1022 (Please feel free to text!)

Project Discovery Awards Scholarships
On June 6, Mayor Allison Silberberg joined Project Discovery in honoring several scholarship recipients. Project Discovery is a college access program that helps low-income students become the first member of their families to attend college or technical school. Project Discovery also encourages youth to stay alcohol and drug free. Please join us in recognizing the following students for their achievement and hard work:
Nya Bucksell, Alumni Scholarship, $600; Natalie S. Vaughn Scholarship, $500
Aaron Simms, Senior Scholarship, $1,100
Fara Islam, Senior Scholarship, $1,200
Sidrah Hamid, Senior Scholarship, $1,100
Amy Alvares Pereira, State Project Discovery Award, $500
Augustina Osei, State Project Discovery Award, $500

Congratulations to these amazing students -- we are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what your future holds!

Upcoming Community Events
Prescription Drug Take Back Day

When: Saturday, July 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

What: Safely and properly dispose of expired and unused prescription medications

Where: Alexandria Fire Station 210, Alexandria Police Department Headquarters, First Baptist Church, and The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray

Can't make it? The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray has a Permanent 24/7 Medicine Drop Box.

Please click here to view a PDF of the flyer.
Registration for the Youth Leadership Conference is Open!

We are a few months away from the 2018 Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference! This free opportunity for rising ninth through twelfth grade  students that live in Alexandria will feature a networking session where participants will learn about lea dership opportunities for Alexandria youth. Please help us spread the word and nominate teens you work with or encourage them to apply. 

Interested students can apply to participate by completing this form.
Parents and community members may also nominate youth to participate using this form.
Please click here to view a PDF of the flyer.





Last Call for Parent Volunteers!

What: All Night Grad Party

When: Saturday, June 16, from 12:15 a.m. - 2:45 a.m.

Where: King Street Campus Gym

What: Volunteer for a  late shift at the All-Night Grad Party.

How: Click here to sign up for a shift or contact  jeanetterfeldman@gmail.com
City Commission Celebrates Champions of Children Awardees

On Wednesday June 13, 2018, the Children, Youth & Families Collaborative Commission will honor nine "Champions of Children." These individuals have been instrumental in helping to implement strategies of the Children and Youth Master Plan, advancing the plan's goals through their dedication to Alexandria children, youth and families.  All are invited to join the commission for an awards ceremony celebrating these heroes at 6:30pm at City Hall in the Vola Lawson Lobby.

Please click here to view a PDF of the flyer.
 

Still planning your summer?
Click here to access information about the variety of activities, programs and camps offered throughout the summer by the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.
Contact Us:
Emma Beall, SAPCA Coordinator
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 
123 N Pitt St, Suite 225
Alexandria, VA 22314
O: 703.746.3670 
C: 571.302.1022
emma.beall @alexandriava.gov
www.PreventItAlexandria.org
STAY CONNECTED!