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! 😎

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #18: Making Strides in Prevention, Education, and Anti-Drug Fields

 

40 Years-40 Stories | Story #18: Making Strides in Prevention, Education, and Anti-Drug Fields

InnerAct Alliance continues to make huge strides in the prevention, education, and anti-drug coalition fields. The momentum of the past 4 decades has heightened exposure for the agency's mission to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances, along with involvement in other risky behaviors through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development

IAA has achieved many recognitions through the years, including becoming known for presenting one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns each fall in the state of Florida to inspire individuals, children, and families to achieve healthy, drug-free lifestyle goals and show support for prevention of bullying and substance abuse prevention in our community.

Here are a few other moments that we are extremely proud of...

NFL Community Quarterback Award (2002)

We've shared previously about our amazing agency founder, Kaye McConnell, but did you know that Miss Kaye achieved the well-deserved honor of receiving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' NFL Community Quarterback Award for her work as founder and volunteer board member of our nonprofit agency?

The NFL Community Quarterback Award recognizes outstanding volunteers in the 32 NFL markets and honors individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication, and a commitment to improving communities in which they live through volunteerism. At an awards banquet held at Raymond James Stadium in November 2002, Kaye received a beautiful plaque, along with a grant of $10,000 from Buccaneers Quarterback, Shaun King!

Historic Dixieland Century Home Project (2020)

In 2020, InnerAct Alliance was proud to learn that our office building, located at 621 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland, would be featured in the Historic Dixieland Neighborhood Association's Home Project, which commemorates homes in the Dixieland Historic District that were built 100 or more years ago.

The origins of our two-story building, located on the NW corner of South Florida Avenue and W. Palmetto St., date back to 1919-1920. It has served as "home base" for InnerAct Alliance since 2021. A cast bronze marker plaque was presented to InnerAct Alliance, which we display proudly on the exterior of our property to mark the Century Homes designation.

Please Support InnerAct Alliance!

Text IAA to 26989

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

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #NFLCommunityQuarterback #KayeMcConnell #CenturyHome #HistoricDixieland #Lakeland #PreventionLeaders #CommunityRecognition #PolkCounty #ProudHistory

DEA Medication Take Back Day in Polk County – Saturday, April 25

Our county's DEA National Rx Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 10am to 2pm, at participating Polk County Police Dept. locations (locations pending final approval). 

Truth is...most teens don't get prescription pills from strangers. They get them from the home medicine cabinet. 1-in-4 teens say they've abused prescription drugs. That's why it matters to take steps to keep meds locked up and cleaned out - safely out of the reach of children, teens, and those who may have addiction issues.

Our prevention partners at Informed Families share 3 quick steps that make a real difference

💊 lock them up

💊 track what you have

💊 safely dispose of meds that you no longer need

Be Aware & Don't Share - Lock Your Meds!

Stress Overload at Root of Teen Substance Misuse

 

When we look deeper at reasons why youth may resort to alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use, often stress and social pressures are at the root. School demands, negative feelings about themselves, peer or family issues, taking on too much, or having too high expectations can result in teens experiencing stress overload, which can lead to alcohol and substance use.

As parents and caregivers, we can play a key role in helping teens learn to manage stress in healthier ways:

*Monitor how stress may affect your child's health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings

*Listen carefully to them and watch for signs of overload

*Learn and model positive stress management skills

*Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities

*Encourage healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and good sleep routines

*Teach relaxation techniques like deep breathing and muscle relaxing exercises

*Break large tasks down into smaller, attainable goals

*Take frequent breaks to listen to relaxing music, draw, read, or journal

Teens can practice relaxation responses like deep breathing and meditation to lower heart rate. Let them know that they can confide in a trusted adult or friend to talk about their feelings - these are 2 healthy ways to deal with stress triggers.

Learn more

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/the-link-between-teen-anxiety-and-substance-abuse

 

40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #17: Living the Dream Healthy & Substance-Free

 

40 Years-40 Stories| Story #17: Living the Dream Healthy & Substance Free!

In our last Story #16, we celebrated how much fun InnerAct Alliance's Outreach Team has taking prevention out into our community. We mentioned that event participants can always enjoy some fun hands-on activity or craft when they visit the IAA Display, plus receive helpful resources for parents and families.

Question: What Do Dream Catchers Have to Do with Substance Abuse Prevention? 

EVERYTHING...it's just the start of Living the Dream! One of our favorite activities provides the opportunity for kids to make their own Dream Catcher. It's a creative craft that's free and fun to make with significance of a much deeper meaning to help students realize their dreams can come true if they do the right thing and choose to live a healthy, alcohol- and substance-free life.

Themes for Our Proactive Prevention Projects

Live a Healthy Lifestyle - drug use impedes your dreams

Plan for the Future - planning is key to meeting your goals

Work Hard - implementing your success plan takes time and effort

Once You're Living Your Dream - help others catch theirs too

Goals Give Life Direction!

When teens are focused on their dreams and working towards them, they're less likely to get sidetracked by drugs. Achieving goals boosts motivation and perseverance so youth can achieve their dreams and make powerful choices for their future.

All donations - big or small - help to encourage youth, amplify their voices, and celebrate their strength. Please donate to InnerAct Alliance's prevention efforts to encourage youth to choose to be drug-free!

Donate 

Text IAA to 26989

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

*40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #LivingTheDream #DreamCatchers #YouthEmpowerment #GoalSetting #DrugFree #HealthyLifestyle #PreventionWorks #PolkCounty #DreamBig #ChooseLife