CTC Meeting Notes

September 23, 2009

Present at meeting: Catherine Dhingra, Sabra Dow, Maroli Licardie, Cassie Haughton, Tosha Duester, Deb Defilippo, Ginny Keenan, Dennis Thompson, Harry Schnur, Jennifer O’Blenes, Amanda Richard, Katie Fleet, Gay Lynne Samsonoff, Peter Domanico, Jeffrey Downey, Emily Dulong, Josh Harrell, Peter Alexander, Kathy Gravino, Bob Connolly, Arthur Akers, Amanda Richardson, Diana Kerry, Wendy Kent

Updates

  1. The CTC budget has been impacted by the loss of approximately $67,000 in funding, partly resulting from state budget cuts. However, the CTC will continue to manage projects with other funding from DPH and SAMHSA.
  2. Prevention activities facilitated by POS youth during the summer included a) distribution of the Linking Lynn guides throughout the community; b) an environmental sticker shock campaign; c) organizing a movie night; and d) conducting a community assessment of the sale of drug paraphernalia, the results of which will be presented to the Board of Health. Underage drinking grant activities included attending roll call briefings at the Lynn Police department on the topic of underage drinking, conducting another sticker shock campaign with local alcohol vendors, facilitating alcohol and drug prevention workshops for teens, participating in a MADD training, and filming PSAs as part of a media campaign on the consequences of underage drinking.
  3. Opiate overdose prevention initiative (MassCALL2): Since April, approximately 500 consumers (including active users and individuals in recovery) have been educated on overdose risk and prevention and a plan is underway to train physicians at LCHC and NSMC on overdose risk management.
  4. The Executive Committee has added an additional member: Dennis Thompson from the LynnPublic Schools.

Announcements

  1. Bob Connolly informed the coalition about the upcoming World Fest to be held Saturday, October 3 from 2pm to 6pm at LynnHeritageState Park (rain date: October 10). It will include culturally diverse music and dance performers, a “know your community” area highlighting public service entities, and a world tour of countries represented. Bob also spoke on behalf of Howard Sylvetsky from NSCC who is seeking internship opportunities in the community for students in his drug and alcohol program.
  2. Maroli Licardie shared that Family and Children’s Services will be holding an event on the LynnCommons on September 24 for children up to age 12 between 2pm and 6pm that will include games and activities.
  3. Kathy Gravino (NSCC) informed the coalition that they will have continuation funding for Project YES, a program geared toward violence prevention that includes mentoring, tutoring, and team building provided by college students for middle school aged students. It will be operating in the community in collaboration with MarshallMiddle School.
  4. Josh Harrell reported that the Meet Me Downtown Festival will be held this Saturday in Central Square in Lynn that will include music and food, sponsored by Lynn Arts, City Hall, and RAW Arts.
  5. Arthur Akers informed the group of a book fair to be held at Borders Express in Swampscott on September 26 from 10 am to 5 pm. The event will include book signings as well as information sessions by the College Application Education Project.
  6. Diana Kerry reported on NSCC’s organization of a food drive in an effort to fill depleted food pantries on the NorthShore. Additional information can be obtained through Senator Berry’s or Diana’s office. They will also be holding a forum on October 8 at the NSCC gym (Lynn campus) from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. The forum is open to everyone and will include representatives from Project Bread and Senator Fred Berry.
  7. Deb Defillipo indicated that she would be willing to post flyers at any of the events discussed at the meeting at the high school.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to a presentation by Laura Hillyer and Becky Osborne from NECHC on capacity building. The presentation was abbreviated due to time constraints, but focused on varying reasons for coalition participation, tools for identifying sectors of the community to involve in a coalition, and a small group brainstorming activity to identify potential recruits, as well as why they should be involved, how to get them involved, and responsible parties. Preliminary groups identified included parents (to reduce apathy and increase knowledge base of risk factors), members of the faith community (as they are already geared toward organized activities), the media, senior citizens, and the business community (and including economic development into the mission). Broadening the CTC’s mission could enhance capacity building by attracting community members with diverse interests and priorities. The powerpoint from the training will be forwarded to coalition members with the meeting notes. At the October meeting, a follow up training will be focused on outreach to, and similar training for, other fledgling community groups.

Next general CTC meeting is scheduled for:

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Community Room, Lynn Housing Authority, 10 Church Street