Jones Co. Coalition plans community events

     The Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition is hosting two events next week, April 19 and 20, reaching out to families of teens and pre-teens and to the public on behalf of the youth.

     The first is specifically for Jones County middle school (5th through 8th grade) students’ families and is in partnership with Equipping Youth. Coalition members and Equipping Youth staff will be handing out family “Happy Boxes” on the east side of the Lawrence Community Center in Anamosa via a drive-through from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 19. The box includes two $5 gift certificates to Dairy Queen, card games, popcorn and other snacks, fun give-away items, lip balm, a keychain flashlight, etc., and educational material. The hope is that the contents of this happy box will provide more opportunities for parents and their children talk to each other over an ice cream treat, enjoy time together playing games, and provide some information about resources and services in the area. There are enough boxes for the first 125 families.

     On Tuesday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m., the Coalition is hosting a virtual event titled “It’s Not Over When It’s Over: The Pandemic, Mental Health, and Underage Drinking.” This event is made possible through a mini-grant the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration offers to community coalitions every other year since 2006 as part of a Communities Talk to Prevent Underage Drinking Initiative.

     Dr. Paul Gilbert, University of Iowa College of Public Health professor specializing in alcohol research; Melissa Paulsen, CEO of Mental Health for Life Connections; Sheriff Greg Graver; and two Jones County high school youth will be discussing the topics of alcohol use, mental health, and how both of these issues may be of even more concern for our youth with all that has happened this past year. Sheriff Graver will also share about the new Mental Health Access Center in Cedar Rapids and how that will benefit Jones County individuals and families in need of the services. Kelly Yousse, certified prevention specialist from ASAC, will be monitoring the discussion. Attendees are welcome to ask questions of the panelists as well.

     To participate in the virtual event, go to www.zoom.us/join. The meeting ID is 860 2092 3927 and the passcode is 941303. Contact the Coalition at 319-462-4327 ex. 661 for more information.

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