Exploring the Mission and Vision of Clinton Substance Awareness and Prevention Coalition: An Insider's Perspective

In today’s world, community well-being is vital. Initiatives focusing on substance awareness and prevention play a crucial role in fostering healthier environments. One such initiative is the Clinton Substance Awareness and Prevention Coalition (CSAPC). Here, dedicated individuals come together, unified by a commitment to create a safer and healthier community. This blog post highlights the driving forces behind the coalition, its mission, and the impactful work being done to empower the community, particularly its youth, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

A Brief Backstory

Growing up in a small rural farming town in southwestern Michigan, Adyson learned the value of community and hard work on her family's flower farm. Adyson pursued higher education at Indiana University Bloomington, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Health, focusing on Behavioral, Social, and Community Health.

Now, Adyson works as a Prevention Specialist at the Eaton Regional Education Services Agency, she also coordinate efforts at the CSAPC. Her background and experiences have fueled her commitment to promoting health and well-being in my community.

Understanding her role at CSAPC

Adyson stated that," As the Coordinator for the CSAPC, my primary focus is to identify and connect community resources that can support our coalition's efforts. I am responsible for organizing meetings, events, and programs that align with our goals. A key aspect of my role is to educate our diverse membership about the range of resources available within the community, while also identifying any gaps where our coalition can make an impact. Additionally, I work to foster partnerships with other community organizations to address these gaps and strengthen our collective efforts in substance awareness and prevention."

The Purpose Behind CSAPC

To truly understand CSAPC, Adyson wanted to explore their mission and vision statement.

Mission Statement

"To build resiliency and protective factors with regards to alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances by fostering collaborative action, education, and support in Clinton County, with a special focus on youth."

Vision Statement

The vision statement of CSAPC states, "Clinton County is a healthy, vibrant, safe, and secure community that thrives together at home, at school, and at work. "

The Inspiration Behind Joining CSAPC

Adyson's passion to join CSAPC stemmed from a desire to create substantial change in the lives of others. The values instilled in her during her formative years highlighted the importance of community collaboration.

She says, "I’m passionate about helping communities and making a real impact. Growing up in a small farm town, I saw how important it is for people to come together and support one another, especially when it comes to tough issues like substance use. After studying Public Health, I knew I wanted to work in a role where I could connect people and resources to make a difference. Being part of CSAPC gives me the chance to do just that, and I’m excited to be working with so many dedicated individuals to create positive change in the Clinton County community."

Supporting diversity and inclusion

"CSAPC does their best to ensure that their programs and initiatives are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds, with a focus on prioritizing the needs of marginalized groups in our outreach and prevention efforts. In addition, they collaborate with community leaders and organizations that specialize in serving LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, allowing us to address the unique challenges these communities face, particularly related to substance use and mental health. They are also dedicated to continuously educating ourselves about the needs of these communities by engaging with their members, listening to their concerns, and working to address them as effectively as possible. Supporting these communities is an ongoing process, and they are constantly striving to improve our approach, ensuring that we remain responsive to the evolving needs of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. Through these efforts, they strive to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to create a supportive, safe space for all individuals in our community. "

Challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ Community & BIPOC individuals

Adyson has testified that," both LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities face the compounded effects of being marginalized, which can lead to higher levels of stress, trauma, and a lack of safe spaces. As an organization that focuses on substance misuse, we understand that these are all significant risk factors that can increase a person’s likelihood of using and misusing substances throughout their life. Looking at Clinton County specifically, I believe that the biggest challenges are finding safe spaces where individuals can feel accepted and supported, as well as accessing culturally competent care. Many individuals in these communities may not feel comfortable or understood in traditional healthcare or support settings, which can prevent them from seeking the help they need. Creating more inclusive, affirming spaces and ensuring that care providers are trained to meet the unique needs of these communities are key steps in addressing these challenges."

Long Term Goals

Adyson's long term goals working with youth is to help build protective factors that will support them throughout their lives. One way that she and CSAPC plan to do this is by providing opportunities for them to connect with others in their community. Having trusted adults to turn to and feeling a sense of belonging within their community are vital protective factors in preventing substance misuse. By creating spaces where youth can build these connections, we not only offer immediate support but also lay the foundation for stronger, healthier futures. These opportunities, while simple, can have a profound and lasting impact on their well-being, helping them navigate challenges for years to come.

How can people in the community support youth?

The biggest way Adyson feels people in our community can better support youth and individuals is by creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, heard, and valued. Adyson says this can be as simple as being a trusted adult or mentor who listens and offers guidance to young people. By taking the time to engage with youth—whether through school programs, community events, or just casual interactions—we can help them feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Events that support youth in our community

Many events have fostered support for St. Johns and surrounding areas. Let's take a deeper look into these events with Adyson!

PALS - Peer Assistance Leaders are groups of students in the schools who focus on helping others and making schools a more welcoming space. Adyson took part in the day-long training that each PALs student goes through and was able to connect with our local high schools to try and start new initiatives within the schools. 

GSA Summit - In February, Eaton RESA holds a Gay-Straight Alliance Summit that invites members of each school's GSA club to attend. The event is filled with activities like crafts, guest speakers, and resource-sharing, all designed to make it a fun and engaging day. It also gives students a chance to express themselves and connect with other youth from different schools, helping build a strong sense of community.

UPstanders - CSAP has partnered with SJ Call-In Coalition and local libraries to do UPstanders programming for ages 4 -12. This initiative focuses on teaching kindness, connecting children with community leaders, and helping them feel a sense of belonging. It’s designed to empower youth to make positive changes in their communities.

Third Place - CSAP also partners with SJ Call-In Coalition for Third Place, a safe space every Friday night at CCRESA for LGBTQIA+ youth and their supporting adults. The program focuses on offering these youth a place to express themselves, build connections, and feel supported in a welcoming environment.

Wrapping Up

At SJ Call- In Coalition we would like to express gratitude to Adyson for all her hard work and support that she has provided for the community! Adyson continues to make a positive impact on youth, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.