The fourth annual meeting and award celebration for the B.O.L.D. (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition was held on June 10, 2009 at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources. Awards were presented to a number of community members who have supported the Coalition's efforts over the five years of its efforts to reduce youth substance use throughout the City. Jasiel Correia II, Paul Leite, Tom Khoury, Chris Parayno, Keith Bradley, Mike Aguiar, Marilyn Edge and Susan Sterrett were recognized for their special contributions to the effort. The occasion also served as an opportunity to gather ideas from the participant on ways to reach youth and their parents about marijuana use, which has been rising over the past several years. Youth tobacco use, however, has been trending downward over the past two years according to school-administered surveys.  To see photos of last year's event click here and for the previous year's event, click here.  For more information about the BOLD Coalition, funded by a  SAMHSA grant, contact Program Director Karen Fischer  at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources at 508-324-3537.
 

(Top row, left) Jasiel Correia II is joined by his parents as he accepts an award for his exceptional leadership of the Coalition and Teens Against Drug Abuse (TADA) over the past four years. (Top row, center) Durfee High School School Adjustment Counselors Paul Leite and Tom Khoury, holding their awards, are joined by members of the Peaceful Coalition as they are honored for their leadership and dedication to youth. (Top row, right) BOLD Coalition Director Karen Fischer and Youth Director Mike Aguiar join Jasiel Correa II in honoring Chris Parayno for his work on the Coalition. (Middle row, left) Fall River Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge is recognized for her passion for reducing youth use of tobacco and other dangerous drugs. (Middle row, right) Fall River Schools Health Director Susan Sterrett is joined by Karen Fischer, Jasiel Correia and BOLD staff member Karin Wood as she is honored for her contributions to the Coalition over the past four years. (Bottom Row, left) BOLD Communications Director Kim Rodrigues leads the group through a series of discussion questions designed to gather ideas for next year's program. (Bottom row, center) MassCALL2 Coordinator Jenna Legasse leads a discussion with members of the Peaceful Coalition. (Bottom row, right) Sue Phenix offers some suggestions for reaching youth and parents about the dangers of marijuana use.