Celebrating Black History Month

 

During the month of February, we honor Black History Month across the United States to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African Americans past and present and take time to learn more about diverse communities, cultures, and people.

Black History Month started with the past and the heroes who had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. Its message continues when we all make an effort to learn more about our neighbors and celebrate inclusion by attending special public events that bring in music, speakers, and activities in our community. During this month, let's deepen our understanding and commitment to freedom and equality as we continue to work to end racism in all forms. ❤

Thanks to April and our friends at Lakeland Mom for sharing a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Polk  County this month including the City of Lakeland's Black History Festival in Jackson Park on Saturday, February 15, from 10am to 2pm. Attendees will enjoy artisan vendors, food trucks, activities for kids, and more for families. On the mobile stage, there will be entertainment from dance to the spoken word. Inside the Coleman-Bush building, the City will highlight the history of the building and Park. This is a FREE event open to the public and features fun for all ages.

Check out the fun in & around
Lakeland and Polk County this month

https://lakelandmom.com/things-to-do-in-february/?utm_content=link_id&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flodesk

Polk Teens Shop for Free Prom Formalwear Tomorrow Saturday Feb 7

 

UthMpact is proud to kick off the 13th year of the Project Prom effort to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and educate about risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation time. Students with a Polk School ID may sign a pledge promising to celebrate alcohol- and substance-free and receive their dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories at no cost! 👗🕴 

Come down to the Project Prom Store this Saturday morning, February 7, from 11am to 4pm, at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. Hwy 98 North in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards). If you're not able to make it this weekend, additional Student Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 21, March 7, and March 21.

The community may support the effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men's suits, and accessories - especially needed are dresses in sizes XS 0-3 and plus size (18+) and men's small suits, dress pants (waist 30-36") and shirts (all sizes), shoes, and accessories. Donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office (8:30am to 4:30pm) weekdays at 621 South Florida Ave. in Lakeland). 

See you tomorrow!🎀

40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance – Story #3

 

Story #3 Bringing Back the Fifth Grade Rallies

For years, InnerAct Alliance hosted Red Ribbon Rallies for nearly 6,000 Fifth Grade students across Polk County, a powerful experience that reinforced critical substance abuse resistance skills before students entered middle school. The Rallies featured national speakers and community leaders who inspired students to make healthy choices. Kids were challenged to create original posters, poems, and essays celebrating the truth that most people do not use drugs or alcohol. Students shared deeply personal stories of how addictions affect families and why prevention matters so much.

One brave fifth grader wrote this powerful poem titled "This is Sad":

You know what?
Drugs are Bad.
Something else?
I don't know my dad.
Because he does drugs.
And that's really sad.
All I know is that his name is Tom.
And one day he left me and my Mom.
If he were drunk, some people he might kill.
But, I'll still have my Mom and Step-Dad Bill.

Now This is Sad: Budget constraints have prevented us from hosting Fifth Grade Rallies in recent years. Students have missed this crucial opportunity to bond as a positive peer group before entering middle school.

YOU Can Help Bring 5th Grade Rallies Back!
$400 = supplies and staff time
$4,000 = bus transportation for Lakeland or Winter Haven Rally
$4,000 = speakers & a/v personnel or venue rental

Together, we can restore this impactful tradition and reach thousands of students with life-changing prevention messages!

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

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

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance
#FifthGrade Rallies #PreventionMatters
#BringBackTheRallies #PolkCountySchools
#RedRibbon

Floridians Won’t Vote on Recreational Marijuana on the November Ballot

 

Floridians will not be voting on recreational marijuana on this November's ballot. The proposed amendment that would have allowed adults age 21 & over to buy and use recreational marijuana failed to qualify for Florida's 2026 ballot due to a shortfall of verified signatures.

The Florida Department of State announced on Sunday that the political organization behind the initiative, Smart & State Florida, had fallen short of the 880,000 verified signatures required by Florida law to be received before the February 1st deadline. It was announced that around 783,000 signatures had been submitted - Smart & Safe Florida opposed in a statement claiming that 1.4 million signatures had been submitted.

This campaign's shortfall comes after months of state directives that tossed out tens of thousands of petitions from Florida voters suspected of being fraudulent. Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, commented on the failed petition at a press conference on Monday in Tampa saying that the Smart & Safe Florida failed to gets its amendment on the 2026 ballot due to "numerous cases of fraudulent petitions." He confirmed that the action by the Dept. of State will not end his office's investigation of election fraud.

You may remember that Floridians voted on a similar measure back in 2024 and even though more than 56% of voters approved, it didn't pass because it didn't meet the required 60% threshold of voter support needed for approval.

40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance – Story #2

 

For four decades, InnerAct Alliance has been Polk County's trusted prevention leader. We're celebrating our 40th Anniversary by sharing a special memory from each year that our agency has been in existence since 1985 - along with the incredible programs that continue our mission. 

Story #2: Remember the 90s? Big hair, big ideas, and a BIG GORILLA?!

Meet Eugene, our loveable "Just Say No" mascot who spent over 20 years visiting schools, participating in community events, and giving big hugs to spread the message of Hugs NOT Drugs? While Eugene is now retired, his spirit of prevention education lives on in every classroom we visit.

Then & Now

From one beloved gorilla mascot to a team of 10 professional prevention educators! Today, InnerAct Alliance teaches FREE evidence-based programs in grades 4-5-6/7-9 across Polk County schools. Our educators equip students with essential skills to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors that lead to substance abuse. 

After 4 decades of service, we need YOUR help to reach even more students and schools in our community.

Support Our Teacher Team!
$40 = one more hour in the classroom
$400 = teaching a class for 10 weeks
$4,000 = an entire Fall quarter of classes
$40,000 = 1 full-time or 2 part-time teachers

Donate by

texting AAA to 26989

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

click on QR Code

Check back again soon as we will be sharing more stories celebrating our community's commitment to preventing harm and promoting health!

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #EugeneTheGorilla #HugsNotDrugs #PreventionEducation #PolkCountySchools #DrugFreeCommunity

Florida Received Poor Grades in 2026 State of Tobacco Control Report

 

The American Lung Association's 24th Annual State of Tobacco Control Report grades states and the federal government on policies and laws designed to protect the public from harmful tobacco use in 5 categories: prevention & cessation funding, smoke-free air, tobacco taxes, access to cessation services, and regulation of flavored tobacco products that put our youth at risk of addiction. Florida's grades on the ALA's 2026 report, released on January 27, 2026, show that our state must step up efforts to reduce tobacco use to protect our communities.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and diseases having claimed more than 490,000 lives in the U.S. and 32,300 Florida residents each year. Major strides in smoking prevention have been achieved in recent years - rates for adults smoking dropped from 23% in 2000 to 10.5% in 2023 and youth tobacco use has reached at its lowest level in 25 years - but vaping tobacco in schools is still a significant concern. Statistics show that more than 2 million middle and high school students surveyed still use tobacco, including e-cigarettes.

In the report, Federal Government received grades of D (in regulation of tobacco products and coverage of treatment to help people quit smoking) - and B (in funds for tobacco prevention/control). Pending reductions in funding could negatively impact efforts to reduce tobacco use.

Florida is doing better than other states when it comes to reducing tobacco use, according to the American Lung Association. The Sunshine State received grades of C (smoke-free air and access to cessation services) and F (prevention/cessation funding, tobacco taxes, inadequate regulation of flavored tobacco products). Grades are almost the same as last year, other than rising from D to C in improvement in access to cessation services. Lawmakers were commended for efforts to allocate funds to Tobacco Free Florida, the state's tobacco control program, which does a good job with the funds given. 

To keep tobacco control progress heading in the right direction, the American Lung Association Reports suggests implementing public policies like raising taxes on tobacco products, expanding smoke-free workplace laws, reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes, and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Clearly there's still work to do! Talk to your kids about the dangers of tobacco use 🚭

Read about Florida's Grades in the
State of Tobacco Control's 2026 report card:

https://www.lung.org/research/sotc/state-grades/florida 

Introducing 40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance - Story #1

 

For four decades, InnerAct Alliance has been Polk County's trusted prevention leader. We're celebrating our 40th anniversary by sharing a special memory from each year that our agency has been in existence since 1985 - along with the incredible programs that continue our mission today!🙌

Story #1: Pride of Lakeland Was Born

In 1986, we organized our first "Just Say No" Anti-Drug March through downtown Lakeland. Nearly 3,000 students rallied together at the Civic Center, making a visible statement against drugs. This 1989 photo from The Ledger shows Scott Lake Elementary students with their creative banner leading the charge!

Today, that spirit lives on through our Annual  Red Ribbon Run - one of Florida's largest drug prevention awareness events! Thousands of K-8 students and families father around Lake Mirror each October for our FREE one-mile fun run celebrating healthy, drug-free lifestyles. 

Celebrating Generations of Prevention: The photo above shows a Dad who ran in the Red Ribbon Run as a young boy, and now his kindergartner plans to run too! 🎀

Please Support 40 More Years of Prevention!

$40 one-time gift = prevention services for a family

$40/month = up to 12 families in 2026
$400/month = 120 families in 2026

Donate by

texting IAA to 26989

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

click on QR Code

Stay tuned as we share more stories celebrating our community's commitment to preventing harm and promoting health!

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #Prevention Works #PolkCounty #RedRibbonRun #DrugFreeCommunity