By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Celebrating our youth will be the focus of a community town hall hosted by People of Clay C.A.R.E. Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education. Held from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at Sweetwater Church, the community town hall will share two programs recently brought to the area and both will benefit youth.
First, Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese will explain how he and his office are launching the “Handle With Care North Carolina” initiative to support local children facing trauma. Through Handle With Care North Carolina, law enforcement can notify schools when a young person is encountered at a traumatic scene. Then school staff and mental healthcare leaders can provide an immediate trauma-sensitive support when students present with symptoms associated with trauma. Police send no details about incidents, but only use three words, “Handle With Care” with name, age and school to appropriate school personnel.
Handle With Care originated in West Virginia, where it is used state-wide. Only a few other North Carolina counties currently utilize the program. Deese, who is also a board member for People of Clay CARE, has been excited to bring the program to Clay County since he first heard about it. The coalition is pleased to help with the announcement.
In addition to Handle With Care North Carolina, town hall attendees will hear from six Hayesville High School youth selected to attend the Teen Connection Youth Empowerment Summit held May 20 through May 22 at Queens College in Charlotte. Students Jacob Christiansen, Lyndsey Evans, Cooper Matheson, Gracie Perry, Dallyn Rhea and Garrett Segars each wrote essays stating why they would like to be part of a youth empowerment conference.
Thanks to a grant from Community Impact NC, People of Clay CARE was able to send the youth and three adults, Pam Gonzalez, Terri Hager and Gabrielle Martin. Leadership and empowerment training has been scientifically proven to reduce the likelihood of risky behavior for youth participants, as well as other youth who also want to be involved. Not only will the conference attendees have the opportunity to represent the western region of North Carolina in a statewide youth coalition, it is hoped the students will help facilitate the start of a local Youth 2 Youth program. They will also be encouraged to continue as teen members of People of Clay CARE.
As a substance misuse prevention community coalition, People of Clay CARE-Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education is open to anyone who wants to join the effort to reduce substance misuse through primary prevention.
The mission of the 501c3 non-profit is “To advocate for a healthier, safer community and reduce substance use disorder by offering education to the schools and all citizens about prevention, resilience and responsible choices related to alcohol, tobacco, vaping, prescription drugs and other substances; and to be an ally for those in recovery, as well as those seeking recovery.”
This free community town hall is open to everyone and will have substance misuse prevention literature available, as well as free medication lock boxes and pouches.
Sweetwater Church is located at 108 Sweetwater Church Road. The event will also be livestreamed on the Facebook page of People of Clay CARE. Visit our new and developing website: www.claycares.org.