VYWC Monthly Newsletter

10/2025 | Issue 6

Next Meeting 10/20!

Valley Youth Wellness Coalition's next meeting will be 10/20 from 9:00-10:00 to go over tackling youth nicotine use and vaping in the community, and how to do this effectively via problem analysis. We will be meeting at the Augusta Health Community Care building 64 Sports Medicine Dr. Fishersville, VA 22939. Park out front, go in through the automatic doors, and make a right to meeting room 3.

Click Here for Directions

100 Cups of Coffee Activity

As a reminder, we are working on trying to have as many community conversations as possible regarding what people are seeing related to youth substance use, any experiences they have related to it, and what positive things there are for youth in our community. Let's have as many conversations as possible for data collection! Please click this link Community Stakeholder Questions to access the form Dorothy created with different relevant questions for different stakeholders, and access the Survey Monkey below to input your answers.

Survey Monkey

Webinar Recap: Tall Cop Says Stop - High in Plain Sight

Thank you all for joining us for the Tall Cop Says Stop: High in Plain Sight presentation on the 26th. We really appreciate you all tuning in to the rescheduled date and continuing to spread the word. We had a wonderful turnout, and even had people from out of state joining us! I hope that many of you learned new insights, and that we can share what we have learned with others to help educate our community.

We would love to keep the momentum going and be on the look out for other guest speakers that the coalition can host. If you are aware of other speakers that can speak on relevant topics to our coalition and the outside community, please contact me at valleyywc@vcsb.org. Thank you!

October 5-11 is Mental Illness Awareness Week!

In 1990, Congress officially designated the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week, largely due to the efforts of NAMI. Since that time, communities have united each year to increase awareness, combat stigma, and promote mental health.

From October 5 to 11, join us in honoring our community with this year’s theme, “Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-being Together,” which highlights the significance of genuine connections, grassroots activism, and local initiatives in enhancing mental health support across the nation.

On October 10, NAMI encourages you to participate in a worldwide dialogue. This day brings our community together to break the silence surrounding mental health, share experiences, advocate for improvement, and assure that everyone has access to quality mental health care.

Download Social Media Graphic Toolkit

Mental Health/Recovery Resources for Youth

Do you know a youth or young adult who is looking for supportive and non-stigmatizing free online resources, peer networks and support groups, or just isn't sure where to begin looking for treatment providers in their area? Luckily there is an easy to navigate website that has this all compiled into one place!

SAHM (Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine) has worked hard to have Youth Friendly Substance Use Online Resources, Treatment Service Locators broken down by location, online and in-person support groups for young people, and various helplines organized for the purpose of helping make recovery and support for youth accessible.

Resources for Youth/Young Adults

2025 Fall Conference: Youth Mental Health

You are invited to the 2025 Appalachian Translational Research Network Annual Health Summit. The focus is on Youth Mental Health and will provide skills, tools, and resources for those working across Central Appalachian communities. Our vision is for this event to serve as a springboard for the Central Appalachian Network of Mental Health Advocates (CANMHA), helping them grow and advance their goals.

The Appalachian Translational Research Network Annual Health Summit begins on Monday, October 13 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia and concludes at 2:00 pm, just before the start of the CANMHA Conference; Tuesday, October 14 and concludes Wednesday, October 15. There is a $25 discount to participants attending both conferences.

Click the button below to learn more and register!

New Job Opportunity!

The Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth in Waynesboro is hiring for a full-time Substance Abuse Prevention Education Coordinator! If you love working with people, care about your community, and being out in the field making a difference in health and wellness, click the link below to apply!

Office on Youth Job Listing

Community Events

Many of us in the VYWC are going to be in downtown Waynesboro participating in the Trick or Treat on October 31st! Event is from 3:30-6:00 P.M. This is a great opportunity to talk to youth and parents, hand out positive/resiliency building items, as well as candy, and get your organization out in the SAW area. I invite you to consider participating in this, or at least some other Trick/Trunk or Treat in the community. Please contact me if you would like to hand out coalition flyers to give to families or other local stakeholders. If you are interested in this event, contact Billie Quigley at bquigley949@gmail.com.

Valley Youth Wellness Coalition | valleyywc@vcsb.org | 540-430-9360 | valleyyouthwellnesscoalition.org