Highlighted Program: Dover Coalition for Youth
The
Dover Coalition for Youth, a division of the Community Outreach Bureau
of the Dover Police Department, focuses on prevention in the areas of
alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and the social and health issues that
result from such usage.
The mission of the Dover Coalition for Youth
is:
• To create and support projects and initiatives that promote positive,
healthy, safe and drug-free lifestyles for youth and families.
• To ensure that the Coalition is a facilitating entity that fosters
community collaboration and commitment in prevention planning, action
and evaluation.
The Dover Coalition for Youth recognizes the importance of nurturing and supporting collaborative efforts and community processes locally, regionally, and beyond. Other guiding principles supported by the Coalition include: a commitment to a public health approach to prevention; and a belief that substance abuse and its related problems (depression, sexual assault, etc.) are complex and must be addressed by multiple strategies implemented across multiple sectors.
The Dover Coalition for Youth values membership reflective of the entire community. They welcome teachers, students, parents, neighborhood leaders, police officers, healthcare organizations, local businesses, non-profit organizations and concerned citizens – all working side-by-side to build awareness about the dangers of drugs. Coalition Community Partners include the Dover Police Department, Dover Youth to Youth, Wentworth Douglass Hospital, the Dover Schools, Avis Goodwin Community Center, HUB family Resource Center, Southern Strafford Community Health Coalition, Southeastern New Hampshire Services, Sexual Assault Support Services, Dover Fire Department, and Dover Chamber of Commerce.
Our members and partners join together to achieve
the goals of the coalition, which are:
• To link, coordinate and promote community wide prevention efforts.
• To advocate for safe and drug-free communities with a united prevention
voice.
• To strengthen and support prevention efforts by identifying, targeting
and mobilizing resources.
• To offer prevention education to all sectors of the community.
• To advocate for policy change that supports our mission.
The Dover Coalition for Youth, and it's Community Partners, have achieved many successes since it's inception in 1993. Some of these accomplishments include:
• “Operation Moving Day” presentation raising community
awareness of drug and safety issues.
• Dover Night Out, a local event that strengthens neighborhood spirit
and police-community relationships in the areas of crime, drug and violence
prevention.
• Youth to Youth partnerships in all activities, including Public
Service Announcements and establishment of local ordinances and state
laws (Read about their role in supporting the Party
Host Law or link to the RSA
for more information)
• Red and Yellow Ribbon Prevention campaigns to raise awareness
about the risks drug use, violence and suicide
• Secondhand Smoke community education and prevention.
• Presentations featuring real-life stories for teen and adult community
members on issues surrounding alcohol and drug use such as sexual assault,
drunk driving, and addiction.
Be Part of the Solution
The Dover Police Coalition for Youth always welcomes new members. If you
are interested in joining, or would like more information, please contact:
Karen Morton-Clark, Coalition Director
46 Locust Street
Dover, N.H. 03820
(603) 516 – 3279
University of New Hampshire - Pettee Hall - 55 College Road - Durham, NH 03824