Director FROM THE ABOUT THE GENESEE COUNTY PREVENTION COALITION

The Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) was established in 2007 and serves all of Genesee County, Michigan. The goals of the coalition are to maintain and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance use and promote positive community norms. The GCPC utilizes the Strategic Prevention Framework to build capacity and collaboration with all sectors of the community. This is accomplished through recruiting, engaging, and training community members, especially youth, in the work of the coalition. These and other community-based and environmental prevention strategies are supported by local, state and federal grants as well as donations and in-kind support from our community partners.

MISSION

To improve behavioral health through innovative strategies and community partnerships to prevent substance use and mental health disorders impacting Genesee County youth and adults.

VISION

Genesee County Prevention Coalition envisions a community free of mental health and substance use disorders.

CORE VALUES

As a trusted steward of the community, Genesee County Prevention Coalition champions:

+ Optimal Health

+ Community Safety

+ Data-Informed Innovation

+ Self Empowerment

+ Inclusive Partnerships

FOLLOW US ONLINE!

WEBSITE thegcpc.org

FACEBOOK facebook.com/theGCPC

INSTAGRAM instagram.com/theGCPC

TWITTER twitter.com/the_GCPC

LINKEDIN linkedin.com/company/genesee-county-prevention-coalition/

The staff at the Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) are excited to bring you this special issue of Youth Connections Magazine. What makes this issue extra special is the young person you see on the cover. Let me introduce you to Victoria Griffith who was selected to receive the 2023 Robert & Vickie Weiss

Outstanding Youth Award at the Children’s Champion Awards held in March. The Outstanding Youth Award is for a high school student who has done something special to help make Genesee County a better community for children, e.g. mentoring/tutoring younger children, organizing initiatives to benefit other students, and volunteering for organizations that help children. Each year Voices for Children hosts the Children’s Champion Breakfast to recognize local heroes who are making a difference in the lives of young people in Genesee County. Victoria was selected for her dedication as a volunteer after-school tutor at her local elementary school working with second and third grade students in the areas of science, math, and reading. Her impact on these students went beyond improving their academic skills and created relationships that helped them feel connected, cared for, and successful! Congratulations, Victoria, for your caring heart and service to others.

Inside this issue, important topics are addressed to assist young people to develop their independence, goals, relationships, and boundaries. These life skills provide a strong foundation for them to resist distractions and make positive choices to protect their future. We hope the information included in this magazine will be helpful to you as you continue to build positive connections within your own family.

The Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) along with a network of community partners across prevention, treatment, and recovery support services work to bring an awareness of trauma-informed approaches to address the social and emotional needs of youth and adults in our community. Building the capacity of service providers, worksites, and schools to utilize these evidence-based practices is essential to the healing process and moving from surviving to thriving!