FEATURED ASCEND PROGRAMS:
YOUTH COALITION
The Ascend Foundation
is consistently pushing the envelope! Check out our Press Coverage!!!
Our Ascend T.R.U.T.H. Youth Coalition Program is a Movement.
The T.R.U.T.H Youth Coalition (grades 7th-12th) serves as true Champions in the field of: Substance Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Disparities in Youth/Teens.
This movement is: Built for the Youth, Led by the Youth and Provide Services for the Youth of Pontiac. We also serve in our community wherever needed.
Some of the Program Activities We Have Accomplished:
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Collaborated with local agencies and institutions
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Hosted a Youth Town Hall in addressing social challenges and bullying among teens in schools.
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Created the T.R.U.T.H. Youth Coalition Junior Pioneers program.
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Helped organize and execute community support give aways with the Ascend Foundation: Backpack Giveaway, Christmas In November, and Adopt a Family.
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Developed a wraparound Mental Health initiative for Junior High and High School students
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Honored at the State Capitol by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, House of Representatives, and Michigan Senate
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Created the T.R.U.T.H. Youth Coalition Elementary "Reach and Hold" program (Coalition Elementary Pilot)
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Promoted underage drinking prevention by distributing over 13,000 prevention packets and fact survey cards to parents
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Hosted multiple in-person and virtual Mental Health workshops and forums
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Consistently distributed Buzzed Driving posters and paraphernalia to 14 schools, 87 churches, 11 athletic programs
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Distributed 47,000 Opioid Prevention Flyers
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Interviewed and recognized by the Boston Globe for the work in the Community Centralized Data Collection
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Educated ourselves and administered Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Training
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Hosted and received Narcan Training
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Community service efforts - Passed out more than 35,000 backpacks and distributed prevention information to the community
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Hosted marijuana prevention event, passed out more than 11,000 pieces of literature, and had over 2,400 families represented
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110 Adopted Families and Packaged Thanksgiving Baskets to families affected by substance abuse
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Adopted over 130 families for Christmas that were victimized by drug addiction
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"Keep Them Safe, Keep Them Healthy" Initiative
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Conducted Synar Vendor Signage to over 75 Stores
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Created a series of awareness videos fighting against substance abuse and underage drinking that has reached over 45,000 people
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A vested member of the Oakland University/Pontiac Initiative
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Awareness of Social Injustice from a youth’s perspective reached over 36,000 community members
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FAN Speaker – Real Life, Real Stories
MISSION:
Youth Leaders rising up to make change in our community against substance abuse and mental health disparities in Parents, Youth, and Teens through: raising awareness, addressing the problem, and being apart of the solution.
VISION:
To eliminate substance abuse and strengthen the understanding of mental health in our communities so that our youth have a clear path to live healthy lives.
