HOPKINTON— Two Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) Youth Coalition students recently attended a training conference hosted by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), as announced by Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Hopkinton Youth & Family Services Director Dawn Alcott-Miller on Friday.
HOP, founded in 2015 by Youth & Family Services, aims to prevent substance use through education, resources, and support for youth, thereby promoting the well-being of all Hopkinton residents. The collaboration includes parents, clergy, youth, agencies, health professionals, business professionals, people in recovery, family members affected by addiction, and representatives from the police and fire departments, public health, schools, and the school committee.
HOP’s initiatives are funded by the Massachusetts Collaborative for Action, Leadership, and Learning (MassCALL3) and the Federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Grant. These grants support HOP’s strategies to reduce youth substance use rates through community partnerships and programs.
This year marked the HOP Youth Coalition’s third time attending the CADCA conference. CADCA, a leading substance use prevention organization, focuses on community collaboration to ignite social change. Its 23rd annual Mid-Year Training Institute, held from July 14-18 in Chicago, offered youth leadership courses for ages 13-19, covering substance-free lifestyles, personal strengths, and community advocacy.
During the conference, participants learned advocacy skills to influence decision-makers, media, and the public, aiming to create significant community change. CADCA represents over 5,000 community coalitions globally.
“I am thrilled our police department helped educate youth on substance use prevention,” said Police Chief Bennett. “This collaboration benefits our community’s future.”
Notable attendees from Hopkinton included:
- Colleen Souza, Youth and Family Services Clinician and HOP Youth Coalition Co-leader;
- Cassandra Bigness, Drug-Free Communities Coordinator and HOP Youth Coalition Co-leader;
- Aaron O’Neil, Sergeant, Hopkinton Police Department (HPD);
- Neha Ninan, Hopkinton High School senior and HOP Youth Coalition intern;
- Keira Souza, HHS junior and HOP Youth Coalition member.
“It was an honor to see the youth learn new prevention techniques and resources to bring back to our community,” said Souza. “Additionally, networking with coalitions nationwide gave us new ideas for our community.”
Furthermore, Ninan expressed gratitude for the experience and a commitment to creating positive change in the town. “The empowerment I saw at the conference gives me hope for our future.”
“Aaron’s participation is invaluable to the HOP Youth Coalition,” said Director Alcott-Miller. “We greatly appreciate his contribution.”
Hopkinton students interested in joining the HOP Youth Coalition can learn more here.
Finally, this initiative was funded by the Drug-Free Communities Grant. Hopkinton is in its fourth year of a five-year grant, which the Coalition can reapply for an additional five years.
