One Voice Steering Committee Meeting - 2/10/2025
One Voice Steering Committee Meeting - 2/10/2025
Thanks to all of our Steering Committee members for their valuable time and input at our coalition meeting on 2/10/25. Together we brainstormed answers to the following questions:
How do we increase fentanyl education in our schools?
How do we convince parents to limit youth access to alcohol at home?
How do we teach youth coping skills to address anxiety without THC use?
We look forward to working together to bring all of the inventive ideas to fruition to reduce youth substance use.
If you are interested in joining the One Voice Coalition Steering Committee, please contact Peggy Dowd at peggy@onevoicehc.com.
CADCA National Forum - February 3-6, 2025
CADCA National Forum - February 3-6, 2025
One Voice staff attended the annual SAMHSA Prevention Day and CADCA National Forum during the first week of February and was honored to be recognized as a CADCA Blue-Ribbon Coalition and the recipient of the COALITION IN FOCUS Award. Peggy Dowd, Chief Development Director, presented the outcomes achieved in Hunterdon County, highlighting the reduction in homes that contain unsecured, unused or expired medicines. Thanks to all of our partners in prevention for helping to achieve these goals.
Lesley Gabel, Executive Director of One Voice, taught a session entitled: Unlocking Local Impact: How to Assess and Address Community Needs, a comprehensive presentation designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to conduct effective community assessments. The session guided attendees through the process of gathering, analyzing, and utilizing data to identify the unique needs of their community. Participants learned how to engage stakeholders, understand community dynamics, and translate assessment findings into actionable programs that drive meaningful change.
Capitol Hill Day: One Voice Board Chair Kim Blanda, Executive Director Lesley Gabel, and Youth Outreach Coordinator Amy Torres met with Congressman Kean’s office to advocate for continued support of grants that fund community coalition efforts. The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring strong support for youth. Additionally, they highlighted the outstanding achievement of the award-winning coalitions in his district—the highest number in the country.
The Great Kindness Challenge
The Great Kindness Challenge - January 27, 2025
Thanks to White House School for including Owlbert in the Great Kindness Challenge! Owlbert and Cubby visited classrooms on Monday 1/27 to stress the importance of friendship, kindness and looking out for one another. Students received owlstanding achievement tags as part of the challenge.
Pancakes with Maple
Pancakes with Maple - January 11, 2025
Amy Torres, Youth Outreach Coordinator at One Voice attended the annual Pancake Breakfast with Maple the Snowman, organized by the Hunterdon County Stigma Free Task Force. Youth spent the snowy day enjoying delicious pancakes while coloring their own unique snowflakes with Amy.
White House School Town Hall
December 3, 2024
Owlbert made a visit to White House Elementary School as part of our community partnership and common goal of increasing positive mental health and resiliency among our youth. We had so much fun working on our bucket filling traits as part of their wonderful Character Education Program. Owlbert now has a great friendship with his buddy Cubby the Bear. We even had a special gift for each of them reminding everyone to Make Wise Choices. After dancing and getting energy out with the kids, Owlbert and Cubby engaged in breathing exercises to calm our minds and bodies. Thanks to White House Elementary School and Flemington 3D Lab for the awesome collaboration in helping to make our vision come true!
Naloxone Education - Virtual Reality
One Voice has partnered with CADCA and Walmart to utilize Virtual Reality headsets in order to provide naloxone education in our community. Thank you to White House School for taking part in our pilot program. During the month of December the Naloxone VR Headsets were set up in the staff lounge where faculty were able to experience simulated opioid overdoses through several different scenarios. The program simulates the use of Naloxone to revive each subject; thus, teaching the faculty how to use Naloxone as well.
We are grateful to White House School for their support of prevention efforts to reduce overdose deaths.
One Voice Coalition Receives National Award
In September, One Voice was honored as one of 12 coalitions nationwide to receive Blue-Ribbon Status from CADCA and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for demonstrating evidence-based success in reducing the availability of Rx drugs prone to diversion and misuse. Based on our Blue-Ribbon status, One Voice was invited to apply for one of the prestigious Blue Ribbon Coalition Outcomes Awards.
The results are in, and we are extremely proud to announce that One Voice has received the Blue-Ribbon COALITION IN FOCUS AWARD which recognizes one coalition each year for delivering positive and sustainable short-term outcomes. The success of One Voice is a result of a collaborative community coalition, and we are grateful to all our partners in prevention, specifically the Hunterdon County prosecutor’s office, Faith Partners and the Partnership for Health, and its members. This recognition highlights our commitment to achieving measurable and meaningful outcomes that create a healthier, safer environment in Hunterdon County. One Voice will receive award recognition at CADCA’s National Leadership Forum held in Washington DC in February and will be given an opportunity to share our work and outcomes with other coalitions.
World Kindness Day
November 13, 2024 - World Kindness Day
The theme of Make Wise Choices was carried into World Kindness Day where stickers and coloring pages were distributed to all of the Hunterdon County libraries, reminding kids to Be a Buddy, Not a Bully.
Dr. Loew and Patel Patient Appreciation Day/World Kindness Day
November 12, 2024 - Dr. Loew and Patel Patient Appreciation Day/World Kindness Day
Owlbert was on hand at Branchburg's Sports Complex as part of Loew and Patel Orthodontic's Patient Appreciation Day to remind everyone to Make Wise Choices! Owlbert and One Voice Outreach Coordinator Carolanne Sherwood, handed out stickers and coloring pages with the message Be a Buddy, Not a Bully to over 180 kids, thank you Dr. Patel for the invitation!
Cub Scout Meeting
November 9, 2024 - Cub Scout Meeting
Youth Outreach Coordinator Amy Torres worked with Cub Scouts to teach yoga and mindfulness in order to fulfill the Physically Strong and Mentally Awake part of their BEAR STRONG personal fitness adventure requirement. Beginning with conversations around heart rate, muscles, relaxing activities, coping strategies and personal space, Amy introduced music and mood, and then led a 30-minute yoga routine with the boys. Parents were also present and participated in a group discussion about discreet ways to do mindfulness in the classroom. Thank you Melissa Conte for coordinating this event with us!
