40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #23: Evolution of Our Agency’s Prevention Education Mission

 

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #23: Evolution of Our Agency's Prevention Education Mission

Our nonprofit agency began 40 years ago when teacher Kaye McConnell witnessed two students fall ill after taking an accidental overdose on the way to school. She saw a critical need to educate students and parents about substance use risks. Along with concerned citizens, she established PRIDE of Lakeland in the 1980s.

The Evolution

1980s - PRIDE of LAKELAND
Literally passed the hat to collect funds for community awareness and events like the Red Ribbon Campaign and Just Say No Marches in Lakeland.

1990s - Drug Prevention Resource Center
Achieved official Prevention Licensure. State funding supported prevention classes, puppet shows, the Red Ribbon Run, and Fifth Grade Rallies.

2000s - Growth & Expansion
Prevention education grew from 1 teacher in 2 schools to expanding throughout Polk County with Red Ribbon Kickoff Events and law enforcement partnerships.

2009/2010 - InnerAct Alliance is Born
Rebranding brought tremendous expansion opportunities: 10 teachers in 69 schools, StandUP Polk adult and UthMpact youth coalitions formed, Anti-Bullying programs added, and Level II Prevention licensure achieved.

Today
*50,000+ students reached annually
*100 youth in UthMpact Leadership each year
*200+ partners in StandUP Polk coalition
*150,000 citizens reached through social norms campaigns

Please Donate to Support Prevention

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

text IAA to 26989

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #PRIDEofLakeland #DrugPreventionResourceCenter #40YearsStrong #PolkCounty #PreventionEducation

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #22: Educating & Empowering Polk County’s Youth

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #22: Educating & Empowering Polk County's Youth

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse occur in all age groups and economic backgrounds. It is an insidious presence in our neighborhoods and schools. Multiple prevention education programs and services have come together under the InnerAct Alliance umbrella to prevent youth, families, neighborhoods, and friends from becoming the next alcohol or drug-related statistic. 

There are 4 Core Strategies
 to Help Youth Win:

Awareness Raising
Science-Based Prevention in Schools
Community-Based Prevention
Coalition Building

Here's a snapshot of our agency's collaborative efforts:

InnerAct Alliance

Formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center and PRIDE of Lakeland, InnerAct Alliance has worked diligently for the past 4 decades to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The agency serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult-based) and UthMpact (youth-based) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk.

StandUP Polk

StandUP Polk is a group of concerned parents, citizens, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, media, healthcare, businesses, youth-serving agencies, schools, and environmentalists working as the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy using proven evidence-based strategies.

UthMpact

UthMpact is a coalition for teens, by teens, educating and empowering teens to make healthy decisions and take action against alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Goals include changing community & peer stereotypes about teen drug use through positive community involvement such as Project Prom/Project Homecoming. Students learn valuable advocacy and leadership skills, develop professional relationships, and have created campaigns on anti-tobacco, bullying, marijuana, prescription drugs, distracted driving, and underage drinking prevention. Teens have even created their own podcast to share proactive messaging!

Together we can educate young people
 to learn the facts, think, and act responsibly!

Connect with us

 https://www.inneractalliance.org

Follow us

 
IAA Blog

https://inneractblogtownhallmeeting.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance?

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

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #StandUPPolk #UthMpact #YouthEmpowerment #PreventionWorks #CoalitionBuilding #Polk County #DrugFreeCommunity

UthMpact Leadership Class XV Graduation Overview

 

UthMpact hosted its graduation ceremony for high school leaders who successfully completed this year's UthMpact Leadership Class XV program on April 1, 2026 at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland.

Congrats UthMpact Class XV Graduates

Madeline Aranda
Richie Aubert
Eliana Browning
Yamil Cordova

Nightingale Daniel-Richards
Cooper Deeds
Maxwell Deeds
Kayla Ezell
Zoe Gabbard
Jeffrey Lucas Hall
Hope Hallock
Talia Hillsgrove
Benjamin Julich
Wes Lehman
Kadence Lesnett
Tyler Lloren
Jagger Looney
Myla Marcelin
Payton McCormack
Peyton McNab
Thomas Mercado
Sofia Mercado
Audrey Merritt
Kyla Newton
Fiona Nguyen
Audrey Norman
Giulianna Paternes

Congratulations to our 2026 UthMpact Leadership Scholarship Winners

Kendall Castano and Abigail Dowdy

Each of these outstanding UthMpact Leadership graduates exemplify the qualities of leadership with UthMpact and in their respective schools and communities. We were proud to present them with $500 scholarships!

UthMpact is a coalition of teen leaders committed to educating their peers about key substance abuse prevention messages. The group's most prominent projects are Project Prom & Project HOCO, providing formal wear and accessories to high school students and educating about risky behaviors during prom, graduation, and homecoming, as well as the UthMpact Facts social norms program sharing the positives in Polk youth culture that most teens are choosing not to use substances with students in area high schools and in the community. Their futures are bright! 😎

For more information, please contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777 and follow UthMpact on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk

Best of luck to UthMpact Graduating Seniors - Class of 2026!

 

Feel Good Friday!

 

Everyone looks forward to Friday - the day that ends a busy school and work week with the freedom of the weekend ahead. Friday can be even sweeter when it comes with an unexpected special surprise that recognizes and supports the dedication and hard work we put forth each day!💪

One of InnerAct Alliance's prevention specialist teachers shared a personal story about the colorful graphic (above) that awaited her as she walked in to teach her fourth class of the day at South McKeel Elementary...

The regular 4th grade classroom teacher at South McKeel, Mrs. Robbin Harbison, had arranged a display of her own creative illustration of the Keep A Clear Mind (KACM) prevention program up in lights on the classroom smartboard as a surprise to welcome our IAA prevention specialist to class and show appreciation for the informative prevention lessons shared with her students each week!

Keep A Clear Mind (KACM) is an evidence-based drug prevention education program for students in grades 4-6 (ages 9-11) designed to help children develop skills to refuse and avoid use of "gateway" drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and tools to help avoid drug use. It also encourages parent-child interaction through take home activities to teach skills such as setting reasonable goals, making informed decisions, and communicating effectively.

IAA's prevention teachers are truly the best! Our teacher was touched and said it means so much to her and her fellow IAA prevention professionals to have the support of our host schools, teachers, and students.

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! 😎