The Virtual We Are The Majority Rally
Now on the Ohio Channel
At Prevention Action Alliance, we've worked hard to ensure the We Are The Majority Rally is accessible to everyone. In the past that's meant paying for travel expenses so that cost is no barrier to coming to the WATM Rally. This year, however, our barriers are different. Many Ohioans don't have access to internet or high-speed internet, and many more have deafness or difficulty hearing.

That's why we're excited to announce that the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally will be carried by the Ohio Channel and that we'll feature American Sign Language Interpreters! These two additions will help make sure the WATM Rally is available to everyone.

Having the Ohio Channel broadcast the Virtual WATM Rally will ensure that all Ohioans have access to this event regardless of where they may live or their family's ability to afford high-speed internet.

The Ohio Channel is a service of Ohio's public broadcasting stations. A new concept in public affairs programming, the Ohio Channel combines Statehouse coverage with locally produced PBS programs to give a statewide perspective on issues that affect the lives of all Ohioans.
American Sign Language Interpreters Will Be at the Virtual WATM Rally
The We Are The Majority Rally should be accessible to everyone, so we're proud to feature American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at our live event on May 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This will make it easier for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to follow along with our speakers, Youth Council members, and special guests.

Please help us spread the word! Forward this newsletter or share our social media posts with anyone who needs to know: the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally will be the first WATM Rally with ASL interpreters.
The We Are The Majority Rally, now in its ninth year, usually draws thousands of middle and high school students from throughout Ohio to the Ohio Statehouse. Teens in attendance raise awareness about the fact that the majority of young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Due to COVID-19, Prevention Action Alliance will host the event virtually at www.mjstream.tv/watmvr, on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as part of National Prevention Week on Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m.
We Are The Majority, and WE PERSIST
Youth Council member Dina Rulli-Heaphey persists in being a member of the majority by using helping coping mechanisms to deal with stress. Learn more about how she persists in our new video.

And check out the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally on May 15 for more youth testimonies on the importance of We Believe, We Persist, We Prevent, the theme of this year's event.
Garrett Wahl, runner up in the We Are The Majority Rally speech contest, shared this video with us.

In his video, Garrett explains how prevention has affected his life and helped him to make healthy choices. He also encourages other youth to make healthy choices and to tune into this year's Virtual We Are The Majority Rally.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Whether you were signed up for Geauga ESC's cancelled Regional Youth Summit, are part of the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network, Northeast Ohio Regional Learning Collaborative (RLC), or are a champion for youth voice, you will be interested in the following Youth-Led Program Virtual Learning Series, sponsored by Connect CLE, the Northeast Ohio RLC.

The goal of Connect CLE is the expansion of quality, evidence-based youth-led prevention programs in Northeast Ohio, and to empower our youth to become a powerful voice for change in their schools and communities.

Interested in learning more? The first in the series is a 20-minute youth-led ‘teaser’ so you can understand what the excitement is all about. Subsequent meetings take a deeper look at what empowerment is and how to harness the power of youth voice in ways you may never have imagined.




The online sessions are interactive and will also include opportunities for Q & A. Participants must register for each session separately.

Connect CLE invites participants of this series to join their Northeast Ohio community of passionate adults who are working to address important youth issues in their region.

All programs and participation are free of charge. To register, click on the links above.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?