There are big changes over at Orcas Island Prevention Partnership.
On Sept. 30, OIPP marked the end of its 10-year federal grant that has supported both its founding and continued work. But it is staying in existence as a 501(c)3 and has moved into a new office at 410 Prune Alley in Eastsound.
Organized under Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America, the OIPP Coalition works to bring community organizations and individual members together to help create and maintain a prevention safety net.
Twelve sectors of the community are represented: schools, business, faith-based organizations, youth serving organizations, youth, parents, law enforcement, medical, mental health, media, adults and seniors. Focused on the causes of substance abuse, the Coalition Partners work to provide “protective factors.”
“We reach youth, young adults, families and seniors through education, intervention and advocacy about substance abuse, underage use, violence, stress, trauma and other health issues,” said coordinator Marta Nielson. “By working together, the Partners provide adult expertise, meeting space and other resources in order to implement projects and programs that one agency couldn’t do alone.”
Current Coalition Partners include the Orcas Family Connections – Family Resource Center, the Funhouse, Orcas Senior Center, Orcas Family Health Center, Readiness to Learn program, the Primary Intervention Program, Orcas Island School District, San Juan County Sheriff’s Department, Domestic and Sexual Assault Services, Orcas School PTSA, Point Blank high school leadership club, and the SJC Health and Community Services.
Throughout the years, OIPP was instrumental in establishing and funding many prevention projects that are still in practice today, including the Funhouse mentoring program, compliance training for alcohol servers and retailers, Teens and the Law Forum, Point Blank (a high school aged leadership club focusing on peer education and prevention), and parenting classes. New projects undertaken since 2008 include a prevention teach-in for fifth and sixth graders from schools across the county, Community Mindfulness Forums, family education, and the Medication Take Back program.
Upcoming projects have been based on feedback from the April 2010 Prevention Town Hall meeting and will include a preschool through third grade prevention program taught by middle and high school youth; groups to discuss relevant community prevention issues for youth, parents, young adults and seniors; more involvement in legislative issues relating to the work of prevention in Washington state and workshops and activities focusing on non-violent communication.
The Orcas Island Prevention Partnership needs volunteers for the Executive Committee, Orcas Idol Committee, helping with fundraising, working directly with students in youth groups, and grant writing. Visit www.orcasprevention.org and contact Marta Nielson at mnielson@orcas.k12.wa.us.
