Celebrate People & Moments that Nurture Wellness

 

Our prevention partners at SAMHSA - the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - remind us of how important it is to check in with each other, especially with the young people in our lives. 

We know that youth today face very real pressures. Support from those around them can make all the difference. Parents & caregivers, encourage the young ones in your life and let them know that it's okay to talk about stress, emotions, and mental health.🧠

Here's a few simple ways to start:

Check in and ask how they are really doing 💭
Plan some screen-free family time 📵
Talk about healthy ways to cope 💡

The conversation you start today could be the support they need tomorrow - let them know you care and encourage them to communicate! 💬💜

UthMpact Class XV Etiquette Dinner with Leadership Lakeland Alumni

 

A good time was had by all who attended the UthMpact Leadership Class XV Business Etiquette Dinner hosted by Leadership Lakeland Alumni last week at the Lone Palm Golf Club. Our high school student leaders participating in Class XV had an incredible opportunity to meet and network with members of Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association and local community and business leaders while enjoying a fine dining experience together.

Our teen leaders learned the importance of proper dining etiquette in a formal setting and discussed informative topics with members of the Lakeland business community including advice about hiring practices for young people and sharing life and career insights, as well as a special presentation by IAA's humane educator, Michelle Bachmaier.

Our thanks and appreciation to all who attended this event, especially the Lakeland Alumni Association and Lone Palm for graciously hosting our group and providing wonderful service. 

UthMpact Hosts 2025 Project HOCO Shopping Days

Project HOCO's 2025 Student Shopping Dates are set and UthMpact is proud to continue providing formal wear for teens in need. Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project HOCO Pledge promising to make healthy and safe choices during Homecoming festivities 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.

Student Shopping Days are scheduled for Saturdays: September 6 & 13 and October 4 & 11, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Project Prom/Project Homecoming Store located in the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. 98N, in Lakeland (across from Rack Room Shoes). 

Community members may support the Project Prom and Project Homecoming efforts by donating gently used dresses, shoes, men's suits, ties, and accessories. Especially needed are ladies plus-size dresses (size 18+) and smaller size dresses (0-4), along with men's wear in smaller sizes. Donations my be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping days or at the InnerAct Alliance office at 621 South Florida Ave. in Lakeland - weekdays from 8:30am-4:30pm. A receipt will be provided for tax purposes.

UthMpact's goal is to promote a fun and safe Homecoming. 

Visit us at 

 https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPromofPolk/ 

https://www.instagram.com/uthmpact/

Proof that Prevention Works!

 

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have played an integral part in building prevention foundations in our community for the past four decades. This school year, our prevention specialists will reach over 70 classrooms with science-based education programs that work. The proof is reflected in the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), which shows that 83% of Polk Students in grades 6-12 choose alcohol-free lives, 88% reject vaping, and 87% say no to marijuana. 

When our nonprofit agency first began in 1985, we served just a handful of classrooms. Today, thousands of students benefit from peer-to-peer prevention offered through our UthMpact youth leadership program, interactive Red Ribbon Challenges each October, and positive messaging year-round that celebrates what is working in our communities.

Please join us in celebrating the fact that most kids ARE making good choices and support our efforts to empower the next generation of students to help them promote positive peer pressure!

Enjoy a Safe & Happy Labor Day!

 

Happy Labor Day 2025! Labor Day is a federal holiday celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement. Labor Day is unique in that it is a holiday that honors the contributions U.S. workers have made to the strength and prosperity of our country.

Labor Day Weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans and is usually celebrated with parties, parades, barbecues, and athletic events. We hope you enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day!