Thanks to the City of Lakeland for a Proclamation of October as National Red Ribbon Month

 

InnerAct Alliance sends our thanks and appreciation to Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley and the City of Lakeland Commission for honoring our agency with an

On hand to accept the Proclamation were IAA's executive director, Angie Ellison, Board Vice President, Captain Rian Shea of the Polk Sheriff's Office, and our Prevention Specialist, Tammy Coker. 🎀

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 3 – Healthy Mind/Healthy Body

 

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 3 is focused on the theme of Healthy Mind/Healthy Body and finding ways to Be Your Best You! The GOAL is to eat foods that are good for you and finding fun ways to stay physically active. When you feel your best, you are able to help others too.

Fun activities suggested to challenge you may be learning yoga, concentrating on breathing in & out to focus your mind and calm your body, and having fun moving around like your favorite animal such as jumping like a kangaroo 🦘 or slithering like a snake 🐍

You can create and build a fun obstacle course - make it a fun competition with family and friends to complete it. Remember to register to participate in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run!

Kids participate FREE in the
Red Ribbon Weekly Challenges

https://www.inneractalliance.org/red-ribbon-run-challenges.html

Register to Participate in the Red Ribbon Run -
Kids Fun Run or Family Fun Run - on Saturday, October 31 at beautiful Lake Mirror in Lakeland!

https://www.inneractalliance.org/  

Get Your Cool Homecoming Attire FREE on Saturday, October 10!

 

Have you been out exploring and pricing the popular trends and outfit ideas for Homecoming 2026? Project HOCO will be happy to help you shop for FREE Homecoming Attire on Saturday, October 10!

Come on down to the Project Prom Store tomorrow, from 11am to 4pm, at Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US 98N, in Lakeland (across from Rack Room Shoes). Polk County Students with a Polk School ID can sign a Project HOCO Pledge promising to make healthy and safe choices during Homecoming season and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!  

Nearly 6,000 prom and homecoming ensembles have been provided at no cost to young women and men in Polk County since 2013.

If you miss tomorrow's Shopping Day, there's one more opportunity to visit the Project Prom Store coming up next Saturday, October 17 - same time, same place! Happy Homecoming! 💜

Support Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

Everyone deserves a relationship built on respect, trust, and safety. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let's commit to listening without judgment, recognizing the warning signs, and sharing resources that can save a life.💜

Free confidential help is just a call or text away at The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or Text "START" to 88788.

Locally, Peace River Center is hosting a Domestic Violence symposium on October 29th, featuring an engaging author panel discussion including Dominica Betty and Harlow Kedzie, LCSW, followed by Q&A, a book signing, Beyond the Report Training, and more.

For more info and to register, contact Peace River Center at (863) 519-0575 or visit them on their website at https://www.peacerivercenter.org/

Substance Use Prevention Lives in Everyday Things

 

The teen and young adult years are confusing, complicated, and formative. Understanding what's happening socially and developmentally - and how it can intersect with substance use - is fundamental to setting the stage for healthier outcomes. 👪

Research shows that connection is one of the most powerful ways to lower the risk of substance use and mental health challenges. Families may not realize is, but there is prevention work in everyday interactions with their children, like supporting a sport they love, listening to their opinions, and asking genuine questions about their day.

Showing up with curiosity and without judgment lays the foundation for connection and open communication with a loved one. 💝

To  learn more about prevention and healthy child development, visit the Partnership to End Addiction's Prevention and Early Action resources:

https://drugfree.org/prevention-and-early-action/?       

Fun Suggestions for Small Acts of Kindness for This Week’s Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2

 

There are some cool suggestions of small acts of kindness in this graphic from today's National Do Something Nice Day that match-up perfectly with our weekly Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2 theme of Kindness & Tolerance! 

Who wouldn't feel special to give or receive a sweet compliment? How about being treated to delicious donut, pumpkin muffin, or coffee? 😋Receiving a surprise postcard or greeting card in the mail? 

Things like these can make someone feel special and cared for today or any day! Do what you can to make someone smile 😊 - it will warm your heart and make YOU feel good too! 💓

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2 – Kindness & Tolerance

 

Red Ribbon Challenge Week 2 is presented by our Red Ribbon sponsor, Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc. to encourage ways to promote the positive using Kindness & Tolerance. 

You can make your world better by finding ways to help someone or make them feel better. This also includes yourself - through self-care and being kind to yourself as well.

Activities this week include starting a Kindness Journal, thinking of different Kindness Challenges you can do, making a Kindness Circle in PE class or at lunch, and registering to participate with your friends and family in the 2026 Red Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 31st.

Kids participate FREE in
Red Ribbon Weekly Challenges

https://www.inneractalliance.org/red-ribbon-run-challenges.html

Register TODAY to participate in the
2026 Red Ribbon Run

https://www.inneractalliance.org/

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