What exactly is a community coalition?
A community coalition is an alliance of local groups who share a desire to create positive change in their community. They band together to solve a problem and make their community a safer, healthier, and happier place for all to live. There are thousands of coalitions across the country working to improve the quality of life in their communities.
Why a coalition here?
Community coalitions bring groups and individuals together to solve local problems. Creating Positive Change is a coalition formed in 1999 to reduce substance use and abuse among teenagers and the general community.
Who belongs to this coalition?
CPC is made up of parents, students, families, businesses, schools, faith communities, helping organizations and others. Each group brings a unique perspective on the issue of substance use and abuse, and its own ideas to create change. Fueled by the synergy of shared concern, hope and action, the coalition becomes more than the sum of its parts.
How does a coalition solve problems?
Community change starts with a meeting of the minds. When people come together, real community improvements can be achieved. Everyone who wants to improve a situation gets together and commits to a shared mission, a set of goals, and an action plan. CPC's mission is clear. We focus resources to build community, strengthen families, encourage healthy behavior, and reduce the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
What kinds of members does CPC need?
Coalitions are, by definition, created through the coming together of previously unrelated groups and individuals seeking to build a better community. What can you or your group contribute to CPC?
CPC's number one need is commitment -- the time and energy of individuals and groups to lend leadership, talent, ideas, caring and continuity to our mission. Aided by a five-year Drug Free Communities Support grant from SAMHSA, CPC has an increased capacity to make a difference in our communities. Here's how you can help us make things happen.
- Volunteer — help plan or run a specific coalition onetime event or program.
- Offer your specialized skills, such as market research, writing reports and proposals, event planning, community organizing and computer systems or website management.
- Attend CPC's quarterly coalition meetings.
- Host a Circle Talk in your home. Invite your friends and neighbors to come together to learn more about creating healthy environments for our youth, and the work CPC is doing to address substance abuse.
- Provide resources such as meeting spaces, transportation, media contacts and publicity.
- Provide supplies, such as building materials, printing services, refreshments for meetings, and mailings.
- Facilitate contacts with related groups, such as neighborhoods, youth groups, tenant associations, parent groups and businesses.
- Get the word out about resources like CPC, and let people know you care about the health of your community. (source: www.helpyourcommunity.org)