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City of Alexandria Hosts 10th Annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference!
This past August, 46 youth attended the 10th annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference, a free event that empowers emerging young leaders by providing training opportunities and connecting them to resources in the Alexandria community. This year's conference theme was “Find Your Voice, Find Your Strength, Find Your Future.”
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During the first day of the conference, Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt shared her leadership journey with attendees. She encouraged youth leaders to pursue their passions, saying, “No matter what you decide, you’re going to make an impact.”
Throughout the conference, students also attended a series of interactive workshops, including:
- "Using Agency to Stand Up For Yourself and Others,” presented by Ashleigh Conrad from Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia
- “Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences,” presented by Dr. Temi Aregbesola from the City of Alexandria's Youth Development Team
- "Finding Your Voice Through Film," presented by Alexandria City High School (ACHS) seniors Ben Delnegro and Stella Huff
- "Teen Community Emergency Response Team," presented by Kevin Coleman from the Office of Emergency Management
- "Keynote: Youth experience with opioids," presented by Aunner P., a young adult involved in opioid prevention and response efforts
- "Narcan Training," presented by Daniel Adams from the Chris Atwood Foundation
- "Healthy Minds Create Healthy Lives," presented by ACHS students Promise Duah and Kalista Hines
- "Yoga and Mindfulness," presented by Mo Edu, a Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor
- "Build Your Own Self-Care Kit," presented by SAPCA coordinator Emma Beall
- "Financial Literacy," presented by Reggie Morris from Capital Youth Empowerment Program
- "Youth Summit Planning," presented by Asia Jones from the City of Alexandria's Youth Development Team
- "Creating Change in the Community through Volunteerism & Civic Engagement," presented by Cordell Fields from Volunteer Alexandria, and
- "The Art of Networking," presented by Tashana Pulliam from the City of Alexandria's Youth Development Team
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On the last day of the conference, students were recognized with certificates by SAPCA Chair Allen Lomax and the Honorable William "Bill" Euille, who served as the City of Alexandria Mayor from 2003 - 2016. To facilitate youth-adult partnerships, the conference culminated with an afternoon networking session with 34 Alexandria community leaders -- including City Council and School Board representatives, City Board and Commission leaders, non-profit executives, and City staff -- and an “ice cream social” catered by Ben & Jerry's. | |
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The three-day event was hosted by SAPCA, the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP), the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and the Alexandria Library.
Youth that participated in the conference will receive updates throughout the year about internships, volunteer and leadership opportunities and other ways to get involved in the Alexandria community. If your organization has opportunities for youth that you'd like SAPCA to promote, contact [email protected]
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SAPCA Hosts Fifteenth Year Anniversary Community Celebration September 27
On Wednesday, September 27, at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.), Alexandrians of all ages are invited to join SAPCA and our partners for “A Trend To Get Behind: Celebrating 15 Years of Prevention” from 6-8 p.m. This community celebration of SAPCA’s fifteenth year anniversary will include heavy hor d’oeuvres; games; music; a photobooth; and highlights of our community’s efforts to educate, inform, and empower Alexandria youth to make informed choices about their health and future.
Following an informal reception, the event program will kick-off with an ensemble performance by elementary-school aged students involved in Sympatico, a music education program underwritten by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and provided in partnership with the Alexandria City Public Schools. This event will also feature a special recognition of our community partners and of some of our community’s Prevention Champions for their dedication to advancing substance use prevention efforts in the City of Alexandria:
- Vilma Zefran, TV/Media Production Teacher at Alexandria City High School
- Dr. Stacey Swartz, Owner of the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray
- Alexandria City High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program
In addition to RSVPing for this event by September 22, we need your help to highlight our accomplishments during this event. Please provide feedback about our efforts to prevent youth substance use and misuse by September 15.
We look forward to celebrating this milestone accomplishment together later this month!
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City of Alexandria Highlights Efforts to Support Youth Safety and Resilience
The City of Alexandria released a new report as part of its efforts to foster safe and resilient youth. The report highlights the importance of engaging with and cultivating a sense of belonging among youth.
“Youth Safety and Resilience Initiative: Focus Group Analysis and Suggested Recommendations” followed a June 2022 call from City Council to increase support to Alexandria youth after the stabbing death of an Alexandria City High School student. As part of the City’s 2025 Children and Youth Community Plan, the Department of Community and Human Services, the Office of Race and Social Equity, and the City School Staff Group led a diverse group of 125 young Alexandrians through a series of information-gathering sessions. Key recommendations from the report can be found here.
In an effort to further advance youth safety and resilience, a youth and caring adult summit is scheduled for Thursday, October 5 at 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church at 2932 King St. Led by Youth Ambassadors of the City’s recently launched Youth Ambassador Program, the workshop will focus on mental health and supporting a sense of safety among youth. It is open to all high school-aged youth and their caregivers to attend. Click here to register.
The City has also developed a Youth Resources webpage to help ensure that children, youth, and their families are aware of available resources. Among these is the Teen Text Line. Teens can text TEEN, SEX, DRUGS, or GANGS to 571.640.2898 to get answers to questions on health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, from trained City staff.
Read the full Youth Safety and Resilience Initiative report and learn more about the upcoming youth and caring adult summit Youth Safety and Resilience Initiative report and learn more about the upcoming youth and caring adult summit here.
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August Community Outreach Recap
Last month, SAPCA partnered with ACAP, the Alexandria Medical Reserve Corp, and volunteers to conduct outreach at several community events:
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On August 1, volunteers Allen Lomax, Benjamin Katz, Crystal Steele, and Armani Boucaud - an ACHS rising senior - visited neighborhoods throughout the City as part of National Night Out. This fun event featured block parties and barbeques throughout the City, with the goal of preventing crime by building a sense of community. Allen, Benjamin, Crystal, and Armani helped promote the 10th annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference and distributed free parent handbooks, a resource guide created by Operation Parent that raises awareness about the latest trends, warning signs, and tips for effective parent/child communication.
- On August 15, STOP Act Grant Coordinator Alina Selnick-Escobar shared parent handbooks and information about the Developmental Assets, the building blocks for healthy development, at the Francis C. Hammond Middle School Welcome Back Fair.
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On August 19, volunteers Flo Bryan, Tim Dombro, and Erin Lee supported outreach efforts at back to school backpack giveaways held at Charles Houston Recreation Center and William Ramsay Elementary School. Flo, Tim, and Erin distributed parent handbooks, Developmental Assets brochures, and information about initiatives hosted by SAPCA and ACAP.
We are thankful for the wonderful volunteers that supported outreach efforts during these events and appreciate their help engaging families.
Couldn't make it to one of these events? Contact Emma Beall at [email protected] to learn how to pick up a free parent handbook.
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Fact of the Month: Be Aware of E-cigarettes
Each month, SAPCA will be highlighting a key fact to support our community to prevent youth substance use. This month, we will be highlighting key facts about e-cigarettes, also referred to as e-cigs, mods, vape pens, vapes, or tank systems.
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E-cigarettes are tobacco products that produce an aerosol by heating an e-liquid.
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E-cigarettes come in a variety of shapes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and some may look like pens, USBs or highlighters.
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Using an e-cigarette is often called vaping.
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E-cigarettes usually contain nicotine, the addictive drug found in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products. Some e-cigarettes claim to be nicotine-free but have been found to contain nicotine.
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E-cigarette aerosols contain cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease.
Help raise awareness about the dangers of using e-cigarettes and inspire youth to stay substance free by sharing these videos, created by ACHS students, on social media and tagging three others to share them with their own networks.
Learn more about e-cigarettes here.
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Talk, They Hear You: Back to School Edition
The start of a new school year is a great time to talk to your student about substance use and misuse. Check out these ideas to start the conversation:
Make your values clear about substance use, particularly underage substance use, with your children and teens.
Discuss expectations and consequences. Clear rules, consistent consequences, and encouragement will help your child succeed. As the school year gets started, discuss a realistic curfew with your family. Should curfew be different on weekends? What are some of the potential consequences of arriving home past curfew? How might these consequences change if communication takes place to explain a delay?
Ask open ended questions to engage your child in a conversation. Be prepared for questions they may ask you. Do not assume youth are engaging in risky behaviors based on what questions they ask. They may simply want to start a dialogue with you.
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Discuss healthy coping mechanisms. The start of a new school year can be a stressful time. Some simple coping strategies include exercising, socializing with friends or family, listening to music, and journaling. Model healthy coping mechanisms. Children and teens pay attention to the example adults set. If adults model that substances are needed to relieve stress, or used as a coping mechanism, it can send the wrong message to youth. Explore more information about coping mechanisms here.
Talk about the health, legal, and social consequences of using substances like alcohol, cannabis (also called marijuana), and e-cigarettes and misusing prescription and over-the-counter medication -- including fake pills.
Know the legal consequences related to underage use of substances.
- It is illegal for anyone under 21 to use, purchase, or possess alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco products.
- It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to provide alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco products to anyone under 21.
Find more tips to keep the conversation going here.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Recognition of Outgoing SAPCA Board Member
As the school year begins for youth of all ages, SAPCA extends our gratitude and appreciation to outgoing Board member Kate Harbour. Kate has served on the Board of Directors since 2019 and recently began her freshman year at Elon University. We wish Kate the best and are so appreciative of the time, input, and ideas she shared during her time as a Board member!
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City of Alexandria Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day
On August 31, the City of Alexandria joined communities around the world in support of International Overdose Awareness Day. The goal of this annual campaign is to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind, and raise awareness that substance use disorders can be successfully managed with treatment.
To show solidarity, City Hall was lit teal with spotlights from the night of August 29 through the night of September 1. Year-round, residents can access locking medication boxes, Narcan, and fentanyl test strips at no-cost to support efforts to prevent overdoses:
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Lock & Talk is a statewide suicide prevention initiative that strives to promote safe care of lethal means and encourages community conversation around mental wellness. Residents can access free locking medication boxes to safely store medication at the Alexandria Health Department (4850 Mark Center Drive) and the Alexandria Sheriff's Office (2003 Mill Road).
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If given in time, Narcan® (also known as Naloxone) can save the life of someone who is overdosing from opioids. It can stop an overdose and restore normal breathing until emergency response can arrive. Narcan is available for free from the Alexandria Health Department by calling 703.746.4888 or emailing [email protected].
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Fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, in unregulated injectable drugs, powders and pills. Fentanyl test strips are available for walk-in clients at the Alexandria Health Department on the fourth floor. Learn more about fentanyl.
Learn more about Alexandria's efforts to eliminate opioid misuse and its harmful effects at alexandriava.gov/opioids.
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Hope is Real. Recovery is Real.
September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the gains made by those in recovery from substance use and mental health; increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders; and encourage individuals in need of treatment and recovery services to seek help. This year's theme is Hope is Real. Recovery is Real. Here are several resources to access and share in recognition of Recovery Month:
Learn more about local resources available for children, youth and families at alexandriava.gov/DCHS.
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Supporting Our Community During National Suicide Prevention Month
Each September, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness during National Suicide Prevention Month.
Nationally, one in five Americans live with a mental health condition. Nearly one in five youth will experience a mental health challenge such as depression or anxiety at some point during their life and suicide is a leading cause of death. We can all help prevent suicide this month and year-round.
What can you do?
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Upcoming Events & Resources | |
Emma Beall, MPH
SAPCA Coordinator
O: 703.746.3670
C: 571.302.1022
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Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
4850 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22311
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