Grassroots Mobilization for Policy Change

Provides educational information and resources to parents and adults about the youth vaping epidemic, health risks of vaping, and how to recognize signs and support adolescents.

Represents and advocates for independent retail tobacconists across New York State, including efforts to protect their rights and influence tobacco-related legislation since 2010. Specifically supports over 200 small cigar retailers through campaigns such as advocating for a 50-cent tax cap on premium cigars under bills A5284b and S2133A.

Hosts recurring fundraising events such as an annual golf tournament featuring 18 holes of golf, meals, cigars, and live and silent auctions, with at least six iterations held by 2026, and a clam bake event that generated $1,740 in program revenue in 2024.

Implements the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities grant to reduce youth exposure to retail tobacco marketing and promotes tobacco-free outdoor air and housing policies through community advocacy and youth engagement.

Formed the Northern Tier Providers Coalition to support chemical dependency programs and community service directors across seven counties and the Akwesasne Reserve, and organizes an annual conference for addictions professionals in Northern New York.

Operates the Valley Recovery Center and provides recovery coaching, peer support in emergency departments, and community engagement activities; served 315 individuals in 2021 and 187 residents in 2023 through these services.

Operates the Regional Addictions Resource Center to improve access to substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery resources across the North Country and Northern Economic Zone counties.

Built collaborative networks by establishing ten new community organization partnerships in 2023 to strengthen local responses to substance use and promote public health initiatives.

Hosts a Prevention Intern through the Paid Prevention Internship Opportunity (PPIO) grant funded by NYS OASAS to develop workforce capacity in substance abuse prevention.

Operates the Massena Drug Free Community Coalition and implements the Partnership for Success grant in Lewis County to address substance abuse and promote drug-free, violence-free environments for youth.

Operates the Horizons Youth Clubhouse and runs youth-led initiatives such as Reality Check and the UP! Coalition, providing safe after-school environments, life skills development, recreational activities, and peer education for teens aged 13–18 in Massena and surrounding areas.

Engaged in the statewide Stand Up for Recovery Day event in 2023 to advocate for recovery visibility and support.

Offers Pivot Employee Assistance Services to help employers support workers facing emotional, financial, or substance use challenges through counseling and referrals.

Delivers evidence-based prevention, education, information, intervention, and referral services to residents of St. Lawrence County, including school-based programming and community outreach aimed at reducing substance use and related harms.

Provides Family Support Navigator services that offer emotional support, insurance and treatment navigation, and resource linkage for families impacted by substance use disorders.

Conducts Recovery Coach Academy trainings and ethics in recovery coaching programs; trained 57 individuals in 2021 and conducted two academy sessions for 55 people in 2020, along with three ethics trainings for 44 participants.

Assisted 2,432 individuals in Columbia and Greene Counties with enrolling in health insurance plans through the Navigator Program in 2024, building on prior-year support of 2,265 individuals assisted during 2023.

Provided information, assistance, and referrals to 741 clients in Columbia County through the NY Connects program in 2024 to support independent living for older adults and people with disabilities.