Friends of Prevention Coalition of Richmond Launches “Safe Healthy Happy” Campaign

RICHMOND, Va. - Sept. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- The Friends of Prevention Coalition of Richmond (FOPC), a city-based catalyzing organization for promoting wellness in the RVA, is kicking off what it intends to be an ongoing community conversation about healthy living in Richmond. Using web-based conversation starters, including a website and social media tools, the Coalition invites input from Richmond’s youth, families, teachers, healthcare teams, law enforcement, businesses, faith communities, and non-profits on how to create and sustain a safe, healthy, and drug-free RVA.

In the wake of recent headlines, including the death of Robin Williams, this ongoing community conversation is, and will remain, timely. The mission of FOPC promotes environmental strategies to prevent such tragedies locally as it aspires to create and sustain safe, healthy and drug-free communities.

“In order to help our youth develop healthy lives, we need to work together to understand the risks they are facing and work to establish prevention programs that help them be resilient. This campaign will help us do that,” said Charlene Edwards who has lead the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority’s efforts to grow the Coalition’s capacity.

Don Coleman, School Board Chair and longtime member of FOPC stated, “We need environmental strategies that address these issues with systematic solution. We want to move the needle.”

The campaign is informed by data from the City of Richmond Youth Risk Behavioral Survey coordinated by FOPC in the Richmond Public Schools in December 2013. The survey identified why young people in the City use alcohol, tobacco, and drugs and engage in other risky behaviors, including dietary behaviors and violence. The FOPC is now asking the Richmond community to weigh in with videos, songs, blog posts, paintings, and performance art on questions about what health means to them, how to have frank conversations about alcohol and drugs, and turning “peer pressure” from negative to positive.

Using the FOPC’s new web site at http://www.fopcrva.org and social media sites, participants of all ages, ethnicities and preferences will be participating in the conversation to develop solutions for a Safer, Healthier and Happier RVA.

Simple questions will be answered as part of efforts FOPC is leading to improve health and wellness in the region:

●       What does “safe” mean to you and your community?

●       How do you talk about “healthy” with your friends and your community?

●       What does “happy” mean to you and your community?

●       How would you like to connect with the whole Richmond community to talk about “Safe Healthy Happy”?

To learn more about this initiative “friends” are welcome to speak to and consider joining the ever-expanding membership of the Friends of Prevention Coalition of Richmond.

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The mission of the Friends of Prevention Coalition (FOPC) of Richmond is to be a catalyst for promoting wellness in the City of Richmond to create and sustain safe, healthy and drug-free communities. The coalition is a cross-section of community members who bring diverse perspectives and represent various sectors, including:

●       Abigail Johnson, Virginia Department of Health/Richmond City Health District

●       Avi Hopkins, U-Turn Sports Academy

●       Annette Postell, Parent

●       Amy Vincent, Virginia Department of Health/Richmond City Health District

●       Ayanna McMullen, Business Owner

●       Dana Wiggins, Virginia Poverty Law Center

●       Danny Avula, Virginia Department of Health/Richmond City Health District

●       Don Coleman, Richmond School Board Chair

●       Deborah Morton, Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation

●       Charlene Edwards, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority

●       Jeree Thomas, Legal Aid Justice Center

●       Jim May, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority

●       Johnny McRoy, City of Richmond Police

●       Jordan Walker-Rowe, College Student

●       Kate Eggleston, Public Affairs Consultant

●       Kristen Larson, Richmond School Board Vice Chair

●       Lisa Bennett, Legal Aid Justice Center