|
Back to Success Stories
Better Make Room
Hosted by:
Doughboys Give Back
Please briefly describe your Communities Talk activity.
Doughboys Give Back had a welcome table and a sign-in sheet for all event visitors and participants. There was various artwork provided by students aged 14–16 years old. There was also a questionnaire, which we allowed students to complete. The answers of the questionnaire gave us an opportunity to learn why students may want to or not want to drink and use drugs. We had guest speakers from the prevention community, including a representative from NCADD Detroit, and the C.L.A.S.S Agency. One of the guest speakers demonstrated the Alcohol Impairment Simulation Goggle—an eye-opening tool through which sober people can experience potential consequences of doing basic tasks after drinking.
How does alcohol and other drug misuse affect your community?
Pershing High School opened its doors on September 3, 1930, and was named after General John J. Pershing, who was a senior United States Army officer. General Pershing’s soldiers were named “Doughboys,” which is where the school’s mascot name originated from. Doughboys Give Back began in 2017 by a group of Pershing High School alumni to support Pershing High School students. We became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in April 2021 to expand our fundraising capabilities and better serve Pershing, the students, and the community at large. Pershing High School has a 99.9 percent minority student enrollment rate, and the majority of these students are economically disadvantaged.
Today, Doughboys Give Back provides educational resources, financial assistance, and essential items to students and families within Pershing High School and those living in the Detroit Area
Which prevention strategy(ies), as defined by SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, best fit your Communities Talk activity?
- Community-Based Process Strategy - focuses on enhancing the capacity of the community to address AOD issues through organizing, planning, collaboration, coalition building, and networking.
Did you accomplish your goal(s)?
Yes
What challenge(s) did you face in planning your activity this year?
- More volunteers and community participation.
How did you overcome these challenges?
We worked with the staff, volunteers, and participants we had and made the most of it. We asked for assistance where needed and asked students to participate and ask three to join along. It all worked out.
What are your next steps?
- Host follow-up meetings or activities
Organizations that conduct Communities Talk activities often involve other organizations in the planning and execution of events. Please indicate which type(s) of organizations you involved in your activity planning.
- Faith-based based organizations
- Youth-led organizations
Which of the following best describes the primary audience(s) for your Communities Talk activity?
How did you reach and engage your primary audience(s) to encourage them to participate in your activity?
Social Media, text messages, school, and word of mouth.
Which Communities Talk resources (or other SAMHSA resources) were most helpful for your activity?
- StopAlcoholAbuse.gov website
- Communities Talk Find an Activity Map
- Working with other organizations and materials provided by Stop Alcohol Abuse contributed to our success.
|
|
Return to Success Stories