40 Years-40 Stories | Story #6: Meet Our Founder:
Our agency was founded in 1985 by a small group of individuals who came together and worked tirelessly to offer much-needed resources and drug education information to our community.
Meet Kaye B. McConnell - Our Visionary Founder
After experiencing two heartbreaking personal tragedies as an educator in Polk County Schools, Kaye was inspired to champion the anti-drug effort. In 1975, while teaching sixth grade at Scott Lake Elementary, two students took medication that wasn't theirs from a medicine cabinet at home. Around the same time, one of her childhood friends died as a result of drug abuse.
While Kaye searched for prevention resources, there weren't any - so she began writing her own drug prevention curriculum called "Meology." Soon, she and a handful of Polk County volunteers came together to start our nonprofit.
From Humble Beginnings to Community Movement: As the agency grew, we partnered with Polk County Schools and local businesses. The "Just Say No" Marches got larger, louder, and prouder. Students loved having their voices heard saying "No Drugs in Our Town." Local and state dignitaries joined the effort, which received television coverage throughout Central Florida.
Pictured: Our founder, Kaye McConnell (left) with Dr. Marti O'Brien (right), former educator, Board-President, and Advisory Board Member, who with her husband Roger remains a strong supporter:
Were you part of those early marches? Contact us, we'd love to hear from you!
Help Make a HUGE IMPACT
$40 = student participation incentives
$400 = supplies & staff time to bring back Fifth Grade Rallies
$4,000 = bus transportation, venue rental, guest speaker & a/v set up for Rallies
Donate by
texting IAA to 26989
https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment