Thank You from InnerAct Alliance!

InnerAct Alliance and our Coalition partners
StandUP Polk and UthMpact
would like to thank our generous supporters and
wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Happy Holidays from UthMpact

Happy Holidays from UthMpact

UthMpact Teens enjoyed a fun night participating in the 2016 “Miracle on Main Street” Lakeland Christmas Parade, on Thursday, December 1^st in downtown Lakeland. The parade is organized and sponsored by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland.

Special thanks to Scott’s Paint for donating the tropical teal color paint for the UthMpact float and to Glen and Lecinda Steele, who generously donated their time to help with last minute touch-ups and using their truck to pull the festive float. A great time was had by all!

7th Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit a Success!

7th Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit a Success!

On Monday, October 17^th, StandUP Polk hosted the “Own the Upside” Prevention Summit at Lake Eva Banquet Hall in Haines City. Over 150 participants represented many organizations across Polk County including School Resource Officers, School Board employees, Prevention Specialists, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Professionals, and Guardian ad litems.  It was an enriching learning opportunity for participants to receive current information about our community and its youth culture.

The outstanding line up of speakers included:  Sheriff Grady Judd of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Brian Haas, State Attorney-Elect, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida; Julia Hermelbracht, Department of Children and Families; Dr Jessica Spencer, Certified Prevention and Addictions Professional in Florida; Paul Doering, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida; Chelsey Clarke, Intelligence Analyst from Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Administration; and Det. Robert Mateo of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Thank You to our amazing partners for their support: Bob Evans Restaurant, City of Haines City, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Communities Talk Stipend, Crispers, Haines City Police Department, Health Department/Tobacco Free First, InnerAct Alliance, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Madden Brand Agency, Stage Coach, TNT Entertainment, and UthMpact.  And special thanks to our StandUP Polk partners, Andrea Hagan co-chair of StandUP Polk and event emcee, as well as event vendors: A Woman’s Choice, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Guardian ad Litem, Healthy Families, Heartland for Children, Integrative Physical Medicine, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT, Seniors vs. Crime, Tri-County, Tobacco Free Florida, United Way of Central Florida Success by 6, and Winter Haven Hospital.

Thank You to Our Amazing 2016 Red Ribbon Sponsors!

Thank You to Our Amazing
2016 Red Ribbon Sponsors!

Schools Step Up Efforts to Fight Opioid Abuse

Schools Step Up Efforts to Fight Opioid Abuse

More schools in the United States are addressing the growing problem of opioid abuse among students by developing proactive prevention education campaigns.

The Wall Street Journal reports that last year, CVS pharmacists made almost 3,000 presentations in schools about the dangers of misusing prescription painkillers. Some schools are using a substance abuse prevention program aimed at students as young as fourth grade.

Others are offering a texting tool that connects students to a licensed therapist. The tool, called Text a Tip, hides teens’ phone numbers so they can ask questions anonymously. More than 100 school districts in California and Illinois are using the program. “We have had kids text at a party and say, ‘There are kids using around me and I don’t know what to do.’ So, we respond and say, ‘Can you distract yourself, can you leave, can you call a friend or adult to pick you up?’” said Dana Slowinski, who oversees the therapist team. “Because what we find is, in the moment kids are not thinking through their options.”

Substance abuse is the most common risk factor impacting youth and society. The science-based prevention education programs offered by InnerAct Alliance to nearly 15,000 students annually have proven to be effective tools in reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors. InnerAct Alliance has been providing prevention education to youth and adults in the Polk, Hardee and Highlands County communities since 1985. For more information, please call our office at (863) 802-0777.

Source: Join Together the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids  http://www.drugfree.org/news-service/many-schools-try-prevent-opioid-abuse-education-campaigns/

2016 Red Ribbon Corporate Team Challenge Results

2016 Red Ribbon Corporate Team Challenge Results

Polk County, FL – Kudos to participants, spectators, and volunteers who took part in the 2016 Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids Fun Run, presented by InnerAct Alliance, Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and event partners MIDFlorida Credit Union and Florida Dairy Farmers, on Saturday, November 12, 2016. This event culminated one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns in the state to support bullying and drug prevention.

A new addition to the Red Ribbon festivities this year was the BIG EVENT Corporate Team & CEO Competition for local business teams of 10 to take on other corporate teams in the 5K for bragging rights, along with a traveling trophy awarded to the team with the most points. Congratulations to Micropath’s Blazers, who won the Small Business Challenge with an average time of 2:50:11 in the 5K, and to Allen & Company’s Phat Assets, who won the Medium Business Challenge with an average time of 1:39:36.

For additional details and event info, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777. 

RUN BIG at Polk County’s Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

RUN BIG at Polk County’s Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run

Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Our community’s Red Ribbon tradition continues with Polk County’s Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 12, 2016 in support of bullying and substance abuse prevention. The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., InnerAct Alliance, and event partner MidFlorida Credit Union, is a Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and K-8 students can participate in the Kids Fun Run. Early registration is encouraged at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. Start time for the Half Marathon is 6:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:00 a.m. Check-in will begin at 5:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 6:30 a.m. for the 5K. 

A Kids Fun Run for K-8 students begins at 8:00 a.m., with check-in at 7:00 a.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. The Fun Run is FREE for those who pre-register before November 1^st ($5 fee after 11/1/16) and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt and free refreshments. The Kids Run will start and finish at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., and follow a route around Lake Mirror. Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place runners in gender categories, and to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census. This year, the private school with the highest percentage of participation will also receive a trophy.

NEW THIS YEAR: We are excited to announce some great new additions to the Red Ribbon Fun for 2016! First, we are pleased to collaborate with The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce for their new BIG EVENT: A Family Celebration of Lakeland, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. on November 12^th at the historic Lake Mirror Promenade. The BIG EVENT will feature live music, food, a kids’ fun zone, Business Expo, Makers’ and Artisan’s Row and more! 

Another great addition is an opportunity for kids and adults to fundraise to prevent Bullying, Drug Abuse, and assist with Youth Leadership Development! The more money you raise, the better your chances to win BIG PRIZES such as Free Gear! Free Parties! Free Bikes! Details will be outlined on the event website at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. Lastly, our Half Marathon race course has been updated to pass through some of Lakeland’s most beautiful neighborhoods and our community’s new Peterson Park! Preview our amazing new race course on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries 

"The Red Ribbon Run is going BIG this year," promises InnerAct Alliance's Executive Director, Angie Ellison. "Our goal is to promote healthy family living which reduces the likelihood of substance abuse, bullying, violence and other risky behaviors. Participate in a BIG way by sponsoring, running, or volunteering on our event website
at www.redribbonhalf.com or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries."

RUN BIG in the Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run

Fall 2016 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,588 lbs. of Medications

Fall 2016 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,588 lbs. of Medications

Polk County, FL - StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on October 22, 2016 for citizens to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication.

An estimated 1,588 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. 9 drop-off sites that participated in the Fall Medication Take Back included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to nearly 10,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010. All medications were safely disposed of via incineration. 

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s six permanent drop sites at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (100 Smith Avenue, weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-5). To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.  

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 22, 2016

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Polk County, FL – StandUP Polk, local law enforcement agencies, and event partners GiveWell Community Foundation and Polk County Waste & Recycling, are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 22, 2016, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of unwanted and expired medications in a safe manner.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medication. Many Americans may not be aware that medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies show that many are obtained from the home medicine cabinet of family and friends. In addition, many people do not know how to properly dispose of unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will include the following locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications, including over the counter medications, vitamins, and other medication in liquid and solid form, for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.  Drop-off locations from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL
Davenport Police Department- 16 Bay Street West, Davenport, FL
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 N. Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Hamilton Police Department – 100 Smith Avenue, Lake Hamilton, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 E. Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL

Medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop site locations at the Police Department locations in Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lakeland and Winter Haven. Medications may be safely disposed of at home by dissolving them in water, mixing with coffee grounds or cat litter, pouring into a zip lock bag, and disposing in the trash. To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dump medications into the toilet.

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 6,500 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration.  For more information on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

UthMpact Coordinates 2016 Project Hoco Shopping Days Saturdays, September 17 & 24, 2016

UthMpact Coordinates 2016 Project Hoco Shopping Days
Saturdays, September 17 & 24, 2016

Polk County, FL – With Fall football games in full swing that means it’s time to celebrate Homecoming! For the past several years, teen leaders from UthMpact have successfully coordinated Project Prom to provide formal wear to deserving high school students, and now, UthMpact is proud to present the second year of Project Hoco to offer free dresses and suits to teens who promise to make smart, healthy, and safe decisions on the night of homecoming.

Student Shopping Days for Project Hoco will be held this Saturday, September 17 and next Saturday, September 24, from 10:00 a.m.  to 4:00 p.m., at the InnerAct Alliance office located at 621 South Florida Avenue, in Lakeland. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Hoco Pledge to celebrate drug-free and receive their dresses and suits for FREE!

Community members are also asked to support this effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry, men’s suits, ties, and other accessories. Formal wear donations may be dropped off at the InnerAct Alliance office on either of the shopping dates or on weekdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

UthMpact’s goal is promote a fun and safe Homecoming night. For more information, please contact Samantha Barwig, UthMpact Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

InnerAct Alliance supports National Eat with your Family Day Monday, September 26, 2016

CASA Family Day is a national movement to celebrate parental engagement

 as an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free.

Monday, September 26, 2016

To celebrate Family Day, we ask you to post your #myfamilyselfie photos on social media.

It’s Simple to Participate!

Gather your family for dinner at home or at a restaurant

Snap a picture or video of everyone enjoying spending time together

Share the image on social media using hashtag #myfamilyselfie on Family Day, September 26, 2016

Tag two friends and challenge them to share their own #myfamilyselfie photos!

Begin with posting your #myfamilyselfie on www.CasaFamilyDay.org and take the Parent Pledge to become a Family Day STAR!

Locally, help support the Red Ribbon Campaign by participating as a family at the Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and sign your kids up for the FREE Kids’ Fun Run on Saturday, November 12, 2016. More information is available at www.RedRibbonHalf.com

Post Today on InnerAct Alliance’s Facebook page and be
Entered in a Drawing for FREE Red Ribbon 5K registration!

For more information, please visit www.InnerActAlliance.org or call (863) 802-0777

INNERACT ALLIANCE AWARDED DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES GRANT

INNERACT ALLIANCE AWARDED DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES GRANT

Polk County, FL – InnerAct Alliance is the proud recipient of a 2016-2017 Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) Grant in the amount of $125,000 by the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA). The grant provides community coalitions needed support to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse.

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, has worked diligently since 1985 to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors while supporting positive healthy decisions through: Community Awareness and Support; Prevention Education; Economic Impact; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions to help educate about the dangers of substance abuse and bring about positive change for Polk County.

“We are honored to be named as a recipient of the DFC grant for our community!” said Angie Ellison, executive director. “StandUP Polk, UthMpact, and InnerAct Alliance are blessed with the support of an active group of concerned citizens, community leaders, parents, youth, educators, health care, business professionals, law enforcement, and local media dedicated to prevention initiatives for reducing substance abuse. The funding over a period of five years will allow our coalition efforts to continue to grow and expand to strengthen our community.”

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is a collaborative effort between the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). ONDCP issues grant awards to community coalitions through an interagency agreement with SAMHSA. According to the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, the purpose of DFC funding is to address two major goals: 1) establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and Federal, state, local and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions, and 2) reduce substance use among youth and, over time, among adults.

For additional information on StandUP Polk, UthMpact, and InnerAct Alliance’s prevention programs and services in the community, please contact InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Register Today to RUN BIG at the Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Run

Join Us for all the Fun on Saturday, November 12, 2016!

Register Today at www.RedRibbonHalf.com

A Special Thank You To Our Teachers!

A Special Thank You to Teachers, especially those at InnerAct Alliance!

Congrats on a job well done to:

Tammy Coker

Amy Custred

Charlie Davis

Beverly Feddeler

Kelley Hutchison

Deanne Labozzetta

Kim Martin

Susan White

We would like to share some of the kind comments that have been written about our
Program Specialists for Science-Based Prevention at School.

Too Good for Drugs – Amy Custred, Central McKeel

“Mrs. Custred did a great job! Our students loved the active learning skits, games, role-play,
and prizes she used to keep them engaged. Thank you for offering a great program!

Too Good for Drugs – Charlie Davis, South McKeel Academy
“Mrs. Davis is a fantastic presenter because her concern for these kids
to have a bright future reflects in everything she does!”

Keep A Clear Mind – Kelley Hutchison & Deanne Labozzetta, Lincoln Academy

“Mrs. Hutchison and Mrs. Labozzetta are amazing teachers!
They give our students valuable tools to help them with peer pressure.
They provide insight on the different types of drugs and their effects on the body.
The students look forward to their lessons. They are a great team and fantastic to work with!”

Social Norms – Beverly Feddeler, Tammy Coker & Kim Martin, Bartow High School, Summerlin, IB
“Thank you for coming to Bartow High! We love the program and what you are able to do with students.
Social Norms are an effective tool to help students know the facts when they are faced with
peer pressure and encouraging them that they are not alone in the fight to make healthy choices.
InnerAct Alliance is a wonderful organization and a treasure for the Central Florida community!”

Project ALERT – Susan White, Magnolia Montessori Academy

“Mrs. White interacted very professionally with the students. The content was informative and her manner
of presentation kept the students’ attention. The students benefitted greatly from Project ALERT
and will be able to stand against peer pressure and substance abuse when the time comes.”

Prevention In Our Schools

Prevention In Our Schools

Back to School means back to the classroom not just for students, but also for their dedicated teachers.  Our agency provides substance abuse prevention education programs in the Hardee, Highlands, and Polk county areas with efforts that include science-based education programs to over 15,000 students in elementary, middle, and high schools.

At InnerAct Alliance, we have an amazing staff who present prevention education programs such as Keep A Clear Mind, Too Good for Drugs and Violence, Project ALERT, The PAX Good Behavior Game, Project Towards No Drug Abuse, as well as Social Norms in schools. These best practice educational programs have been proven to positively influence students’ attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drug use, bullying, violence, and other risky behaviors. 

Keep a Clear Mind (4th Grade): Keep a Clear Mind is a prevention course that features a series of 30-minute lessons focusing on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and a final gateway drug review. The program is specifically designed with take home activities for parent/guardian and children to complete together and help create open lines of communication between parent and child. After four weeks of classroom-based lessons, a parent newsletter is sent home for five weeks to further assist parents in discussing substance abuse prevention with their children.

Too Good for Drugs (K-8th Grade): Too Good for Drugs is a ten-week program with lessons focusing on character-building attributes to assist students in resisting alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, bullying, fighting, and other risky behaviors using communication skills, tolerance, goal-setting, resistance skills and more. The program helps to build awareness of healthy life skills and promotes unity among students and throughout the school.

Too Good for Drugs and Violence (TGFV): Too Good for Drugs and Violence is a school-based violence prevention and character education program designed to enhance pro-social behaviors and skills and improve protective factors related to conflict and violence. TGFV has a developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade through 8th grade, plus a separate high school curriculum for 9-12 grade students.

Project ALERT (6th-7th Grade): Project ALERT is a school-based prevention program for middle school students that focuses on alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. It seeks to prevent adolescent nonusers from experimenting with these drugs, and to prevent youth who are already experimenting from becoming more regular users or abusers. Based on the social influence model of prevention, the program is designed to help motivate young people to avoid using drugs and teach them the critical skills needed to understand and resist pro-drug social influences.

PAX Good Behavior Game (K-5th Grade): The PAX Good Behavior Game is an environmental intervention used in the classroom with young children to create an environment that is conducive to learning. The intervention is designed to reduce off-task behavior, increase attentiveness, and decrease aggressive and disruptive behavior and shy and withdrawn behavior. The program also aims to improve academic success, as well as mental health and substance use outcomes later in life. 

Tools for Back to School

Tools for Back To School

With the calendar page turning to August, most of us are savoring the last leisurely summer days before it’s time to head back to school. The end of summer is a great time to make sure the lines of communication are open to build and maintain a trusting relationship with your child.

Along with purchasing the new school supplies, clothing, shoes, and backpacks your kids will need for a successful school year, make time to talk about the upcoming school year, concerns they may have, and discuss the importance of choosing a healthy life without alcohol and drugs.

Getting into a back-to-school routine can often be difficult for families. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, teens cite "coping with school stress" as a major reasons many of them turn to drugs. Beginning a new school year can mean adjusting to new friends, new teachers, more difficult homework, challenging classes, or maybe even an entirely new school. Social anxiety and peer pressure also add to concerns for youth. While there is no way to completely eliminate social pressures from a child's life, parents can help ease stress and better prepare their child by taking time to discuss possible scenarios they may face.

The good news is research shows that teens who learn about the risks from a parent or other caring adults are less likely to use drugs or alcohol. So, talk to your kids about their day and listen to what they say. Let them know that you care about them and strongly disapprove of their using drugs. They will listen! 

For tips on how to talk to your kids, call InnerAct Alliance at 802-0777 or visit www.inneractalliance.org 

RUN BIG at Polk County’s Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

RUN BIG at Polk County’s Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run

Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Our community’s Red Ribbon tradition continues with Polk County’s Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 12, 2016 in support of bullying and substance abuse prevention. The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., InnerAct Alliance, and event partner MidFlorida Credit Union, is a Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and K-8 students can participate in the Kids Fun Run. Early registration is encouraged at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. Start time for the Half Marathon is 6:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:00 a.m. Check-in will begin at 5:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 6:30 a.m. for the 5K.

A Kids Fun Run for K-8 students begins at 8:00 a.m., with check-in at 7:00 a.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. The Fun Run is FREE for those who pre-register before November 1^st ($5 fee after 11/1/16) and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt and free refreshments. The Kids Run will start and finish at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., and follow a route around Lake Mirror. Awards will be given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place runners in gender categories, and to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census. This year, the private school with the highest percentage of participation will also receive a trophy.

NEW THIS YEAR: We are excited to announce some great new additions to the Red Ribbon Fun for 2016! First, we are pleased to collaborate with The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce for their new BIG EVENT: A Family Celebration of Lakeland, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. on November 12^th at the historic Lake Mirror Promenade. The BIG EVENT will feature live music, food, a kids’ fun zone, Business Expo, Makers’ and Artisan’s Row and more! 

Another great addition is an opportunity for kids and adults to fundraise to prevent Bullying, Drug Abuse, and assist with Youth Leadership Development! The more money you raise, the better your chances to win BIG PRIZES such as Free Gear! Free Parties! Free Bikes! Details will be outlined on the event website at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. Lastly, our Half Marathon race course has been updated to pass through some of Lakeland’s most beautiful neighborhoods and our community’s new Peterson Park! Preview our amazing new race course on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries

"The Red Ribbon Run is going BIG this year," promises InnerAct Alliance's Executive Director, Angie Ellison. "Our goal is to promote healthy family living which reduces the likelihood of substance abuse, bullying, violence and other risky behaviors. Participate in a BIG way by sponsoring, running, or volunteering on our event website
at www.redribbonhalf.com or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries."

“Our Community Convenes” Thursday, May 26, 2016

Prevent Harm. Promote Health.

Polk County, FL – StandUP Polk is proud to be hosting “Our Community Convenes”, an event to share important data to help our community be safer and better informed, on Thursday, May 26, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the new Polk State Center for Safety Auditorium, 1251 Jim Keene Boulevard, in Winter Haven.

We invite the public to be part of Polk County’s strategic plan for prevention of substance abuse and risky behaviors. Key representatives from the Polk Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, colleges, businesses, and other local organizations, will be on hand to help present local facts and information that will support the decisions made in prevention for the coming years.

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse.

For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777 or by email to: standuppolk@inneractalliance.org

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES POSTER, POETRY & ESSAY CONTESTS – WINTER HAVEN AREA WINNERS

RED RIBBON FIFTH GRADE RALLIES 

POSTER, POETRY and ESSAY CONTESTS – WINTER HAVEN AREA WINNERS 

Polk County, FL – InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Fifth Grade Rally for The Facts Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants were recognized during the Red Ribbon Rally on Thursday morning, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The prevention rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate how they live their lives drug free and show the truth about how most young people do not use drugs or alcohol. Overall winners in each category were awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place).

Winter Haven Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners

Poster Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Kariann Martinez from Loughman Oaks

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Glenisse Bruno Vazquez from Loughman Oaks 

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Andrew Tysarczyk from Davenport School of the Arts

                                   

Poetry Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Jaida Graham from Dundee Ridge Middle Academy

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Alison Bergeron from Auburndale      

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Aidan Copeland from Lena Vista

Essay Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Kaylee Stoudemire from Elbert
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Meaghan Knowles from Lake Alfred  

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Ciara Folk from Davenport School of the Arts

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Berkley

Guest speaker for the Rallies is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America encouraging students to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, teen-driven social marketing, and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others with an important substance abuse prevention message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.