40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #21: Stop Bullying Behavior By Teaching Empathy & Kindness

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #21: Stop Bullying Behavior By Teaching Empathy & Kindness

Back in Story #5, we introduced one of IAA's newest prevention efforts. The Red Rover Humane Education Program is an evidence-based program that promotes empathy, kindness, and critical thinking in young children and plants seeds of how together we can stop bullying behavior.

In this empowering program, IAA's Red Rover Humane Educator, Michelle Bachmeier, uses engaging age-appropriate literature, critical thinking skills, and creative activities to teach PreK-3rd grade students about healthy ways to interact with peers, animals, and nature.

It's inspiring to see photos of Ms. Michelle teaching in elementary classrooms and hear stories about the children's enthusiastic responses as they learn to be kinder to everyone they meet. One look at the happy little smiles in the photos defines the joy of learning!

Michelle embraces her role helping young children learn to make positive choices:

"I enjoy reading stories, creating arts & crafts, and sharing real-life strategies that infuse animals and nature to teach kindness. It gives me great pride when I see a lightbulb moment occur within this special age group. It can't help but give us all hope for the future to see how kids and teachers respond so positively to this effort to reduce bullying behaviors."

If you believe every child deserves a safe, healing, drug-free future - without fear of being bullied by others - please donate to support prevention programs. 

Donate: https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate or text IAA to 26989. 

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #StopBullying #RedRoverProgram #EmpathyEducation #KindnessMatters #HumaneEducation #AntiBullying #PolkCountySchools #TeachKindness

Polk County’s Permanent Medication Drop-Off Sites

 

Last week, we shared that the Spring DEA National Rx Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 10am to 2pm, at participating Polk County Police Department locations. But, if you're not able to make it out that day, did you know that there are permanent drop-off sites located at several law enforcement locations throughout our area for citizens to turn in expired or unneeded medication? 💊

StandUP Polk and the partners in the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk remind our community that unwanted medications may also be taken to the Polk County PERMANENT DROP SITES, funded by GiveWell Community Foundation, at police department locations listed below. Please note: Permanent Drop Boxes can only accept medication in solid form - no liquids or syringes, please.

Auburndale - 2 Bobby Green Plaza - weekdays 8am-5pm
Haines City - 35400 Highway 27 - 24 hours, 7days
Lake Alfred - 190 N. Seminole Ave. - 24 hours, 7days

Lake Hamilton - 100 Smith Ave. - weekdays 8am-5pm
Lakeland - 219 N. Massachusetts Ave. - 24 hours, 7days

Winter Haven - 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW - weekdays 8am-5pm

Medications may also be safely disposed of at home by dissolving them in water or mixing with coffee grounds or cat litter. Please do not dump medications into the toilet to avoid harming lakes and ground water.

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #20: InnerAct Alliance’s Prevention Educators Make An Impact!

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #20: InnerAct Alliance's Prevention Educators Make An Impact!

Statistics show that when students are exposed to prevention instruction in school, safety factors increase and students are less likely to use substances. InnerAct Alliance offers evidence-based prevention programs at no cost to any school. Materials are also provided free of charge.

Meet "The Drug Ladies"

Lessons are taught by our team of prevention educators Amy Custred, Charlie Davis, Beverly Feddeler, and Deanne Labozzetta to 4th and 5th grade students. Together they bring over 50 years of teaching experience to their positions.

It's Heartwarming to Hear from Our Educators who say:

"On school campuses, many of our past and present students greet us with warm smiles and waves and the kids address us fondly as 'The Drug Ladies' which we love! It reminds us of the impact of our lessons and how the prevention messages remain relevant and useful to the students now and in the future."

To be welcomed back year after year speaks to the effectiveness of our programs and the value placed on impactful prevention education.

Please Donate to Assist Prevention Education by texting IAA to 26989 or visit our agency website at:  https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories - #InnerActAlliance - #PreventionEducators - #TheDrugLadies - #PolkCountySchools - #PreventionWorks - #FreePrograms

Register Today for the Annual Prevention Summit – May 4, 2026

 

InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition are proud to present the Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the W.H. Stuart Center| UF/IFAS Extension Office, 1710 U.S. Hwy. 17 South, in Bartow, FL, to discuss important issues facing our community.

The Annual Prevention Summit presents an opportunity for teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, prevention specialists, and concerned citizens to come together and share up-to-date information with a realistic view of current youth culture, emerging drug trends, social media and its connection to risky behaviors. Admission is $28.52 including a light breakfast and lunch. Register using the QR code below:

Own The Upside was initiated by the Drug Free Coalition partnership of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties in Central Florida and founded on the Positive Community Norms Theory. Negatives often heard in media and society may make us forget that there are many encouraging positives to celebrate the "upside."

Data collected annually via the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) reports that most youth do not engage in risky behaviors. Own The Upside (OTUS) believes in supporting youth through proactive prevention programs to reduce access, identify risky behaviors, change community attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and empower young people to make positive healthy choices.

Please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 for more information about the Annual Prevention Summit.

Happy Passover & Happy Easter Blessings from IAA 🌷

 

Happy Easter & Happy Passover

to all who celebrate from the

Board & Staff at InnerAct Alliance

 💜  🌷   💙

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #19: Support for Prevention Makes a Difference at Every Level

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #19: Support for Prevention Makes a Difference at Every Level

Through the years, InnerAct Alliance has been proud to have tremendous support from our city, county, and state leaders who are committed to improving communities by supporting prevention education and improving substance abuse policies. 

Did You Know?

Pam Bondi, currently our nation's 87th U.S. Attorney General, made a special visit to Lakeland in October 2011 to show support for substance abuse prevention. At the time, she was serving as Florida's first female Attorney General (2011-2019) and played an integral role in supporting the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (E-FORCSE) to encourage safer prescribing and reduce drug abuse.

A Memorable Moment

Bondi, along with Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack and Assistant Chief Debra Henson, accompanied InnerAct Alliance members to receive a Proclamation of Red Ribbon Month from Mayor Gow Fields at Lakeland City Hall.

Pictured above: Angie Ellison (Executive Director IAA); Mayor Gow Fields, Pam Bondi (Florida Attorney General)

The Proclamation by the City of Lakeland is always a highlight of Red Ribbon Month activities planned each fall by InnerAct Alliance to raise awareness of substance use.

Donate by

Text IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories @InnerActAlliance #PamBondi #RedRibbonProclamaton #CityofLakeland
#PreventionSupport #PolkCounty

Congratulations to UthMpact Leadership Class XV!

 

UthMpact Leadership is a unique program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, the StandUP Polk & UthMpact coalitions, business, and community partners, to help teens develop valuable leadership skills.

UthMpact Class XV teen leaders have enjoyed taking part in hands-on learning activities over the past year, beginning with a summer planning retreat before embarking on travels each month throughout the community to meet with local leaders and enjoy behind-the scenes tours on Leadership Days. Student have opportunities to deliver proactive Social Norms messaging to peers, assist at the Project Prom Store on Student Shopping Days for Prom & Homecoming, help out at the Annual Red Ribbon Run, record podcasts, and attend awareness and volunteer events. 

They make the most of these learning opportunities, as you'll see in the following photos from February's UthMpact Leadership XV Government Leadership Day visiting various City of Lakeland departments and March's UthMpact Leadership Planning Day, which included a Career Readiness Workshop with ConnectEd Polk meeting community and business leaders.

🎓Congratulations to this talented group of youth leaders who will celebrate their accomplishments at the UthMpact Leadership Class XV Graduation tonight - there's no doubt their future is bright! 😎