Communities That Care (CTC) for the Whitehall-Coplay area held their annual meeting last month in the Zentz Center at Fellowship Community, Whitehall.

In Lehigh County, the Whitehall-Coplay area is currently the only active CTC which was initially funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

CTC engages the entire community in an assessment process to identify outcomes that would support positive youth development from negative conditions, such as substance abuse, crime and unhealthy lifestyles. By analyzing data from numerous sources, CTC members examine and implement programs, practices and polices that help make the community a safe and healthy place for youth and families.

Sustained through Penn State Extension, the role of a community mobilizer is key to keeping the coalition moving. Denise Continenza, CTC community mobilizer and Penn State Extension educator, described her role: “I keep the plates spinning; the members do all the work,” Continenza said. “My job is to keep everything in motion and move us toward our goals.”

Whitehall-Coplay CTC has five priorities, each with goals set for the 2017 and 2019 administrations of the Pennsylvania Youth Survey. Each of the prioritized areas has a committee that works to achieve goals.

These five priorities, based on data from the 2011 and 2013 PAYS, are educating youth about the danger of drug and alcohol use, educating parents about their role to keep youth safe from drugs and alcohol, providing all youth more opportunities for positive recognition in the community, decreasing hunger and food insecurity among children and their families and increasing awareness of career and employment options.

Among the accomplishments noted in 2015 were the institution of a school breakfast program, the impending start of Snack Pack Pals, the organization of monthly community dinners, the addition of effective drug and alcohol prevention programs in schools, parent education opportunities (such as HOPE), Strengthening Families programs, parents who host the expanded career fair and the community fall festival.

Dr. Janet Welsh, senior research associate with the Penn State prevention research, gave a presentation on recent findings in drug and alcohol prevention science. She explained when proven effective drug and alcohol prevention programs are done within a community coalition model, like CTC, they are sustained longer and have population level impacts. In other words, even the youth who do not directly participate have better outcomes because of the contagion effect from these programs.

Most recently, genetic studies have been able to show which youth may be predisposed to addictions. As such, potentially at-risk youth might be able to receive preventative strategies sooner.

Several CTC members were recognized at the meeting as community champions this past year. Dr. Lori Hackett, assistant to the superintendent at Whitehall-Coplay School District, was honored for her leadership at the school district level. She not only pledged the school district would administer the Pennsylvania youth survey to students, she also committed time, resources, energy and focus to the ongoing work of CTC.

Shari Noctor, real estate broker with Re/Max Unlimited in Whitehall, leads the Hunger Awareness Initiative and has been instrumental in garnering support for the community dinners as well as food banks, the community garden at Lafarge Corp., cooking classes for low income families with children and educational programs for elementary school students.

Leah Saliby, a teacher at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, also was recognized for her dedication and perseverance in getting Snack Pack Pals off the ground.

Kindergartners were identified as recipients of the packs of food during long weekends, including the winter break. By running a food drive and serving as liaison between the administration and staff, Saliby got the program established and has a plan for sustaining it if funding is not available from other sources.

All three women were presented with certificates from Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr.

Other organizations thanked for their support in 2015 included Fellowship Community, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, Tri-Outdoor Advertising, Whitehall-Coplay PTSA, Lafarge Corp. and Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Services.