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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2012)
vernonia prevention coalition november13 2012 15 The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition Be a Piece of the Puzzle Reaping What Volunteers Sow—Did You Know? By DeAnna Pearl On Saturday November 3, the Vernonia Volunteer Celebration, sponsored in collaboration by the Vernonia Preven- tion Coalition(VPC) and the Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce(VACC) was an evening of Did You Know? For example, did you know the Meals on Wheels uses 8 volunteer driv- ers to serve over 2100 dinners last year! This year’s theme for the vol- unteer celebration was “Reaping What Volunteers Sow.” The purpose was to celebrate the efforts made by groups and individuals whom volunteer and support the livability of Vernonia. The partnership of the VPC and VACC was created to help invigorate the community to work together to support a safe and healthy community. The VPC’s mission is to develop safe and healthy neighborhoods through collaborative planning, community action, policy ad- vocacy and enforcement. But did you know the mission of the VACC is to be the heartbeat of Vernonia area business- es, acting as a catalyst in bringing com- munity, government and business to- gether and creating a strong community of choice. Did you know there are over 262 business registered in Vernonia? Throughout 2012, as many years in the past, the citizens of Vernonia have reaped many rewards of the countless hours volunteers put into serving com- munity and its interests. Another exam- ple of did you know, Summer Meal Pro- gram volunteers spent over 1000 hours to serve over 4074 meals! Further, did you know four Pacific University stu- dent volunteers provided 960 hours of mental health services to VSD 47J stu- dents in 2011/2012 school year. Great news! They are back helping again this year. Both of these activities directly serve area children in building resilien- cy: reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors. (Voice, Feb. 2010) One of the greatest things we 2012 NEW VPC Board Member Other Prevention Sector Breane Mares Prevention/Intervention Specialist Columbia County Mental Health The CCMH Prevention/Intervention Specialist position is to provide evidence based and best practices service in regards to prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, gambling and suicide prevention. Breanne is a Applied Suicide Intervention Skill Trainer (ASIST) as well as a prevention partner for programs throughout Columbia County. She brings to the table a passion to support services where she has capacity. The VPC welcomes Brianne and CCMH prevention services back to Vernonia and throughout Columbia County. Breanne Mares Prevention/Intervention Specialist Columbia County Mental Health briannem@ccmh1.com (503) 396-7637 OSSOM Operation Student Safety On the Move Over 30 OSSOM students have registered at VHS for the 2012-2013 school year. This year they are focusing on asking kids, “How do you stay Above the Influence?” The AI program is about focusing on positive behaviors of teens and how they stay safe and healthy. can do as a community is to celebrate the capacity, whatever that may be, of individuals, groups, programs and agen- cies that service our community. Often times the individuals or groups listed above do not take the time to get out of the trenches and celebrate their efforts. Taking the time to celebrate the outputs and the following outcomes is important because it helps us recognize where we have been and how far we have come in realizing our mission. Some individu- als are uncomfortable to even shed light on their work. However, sometimes the greater good is to give the receiving in- dividuals an opportunity to say thanks. And we as volunteers need to let them. Did you know, The Vernonia Rural Fire Department has 27 volunteers that have responded to request for help from 489 families! Did you know: We are NOT just a small community trying to put on a hotdog feed. We ARE a community recovering from a disaster to rebuild a school, health center, senior center, food bank, waste water treatment, etc. to pro- vide a safe and healthy environment for our community and our youth. We are NOW sitting at the table with county, state, federal agencies and private phi- lanthropy. We CAN no longer be inartic- ulate about our needs and expectations. We are NOT VICTIMS of our circum- stances nor at the mercy of the kindness of others. We are BECOMING creators of our own destiny. Vernonian’s and our surrounding communities are reaping what our volunteer corps have sown for this year and beyond. We ARE develop- ing safe and healthy communities where volunteerism is celebrated and positive outcomes are the norm. If you would like to know more about the VPC or volunteer opportuni- ties, please contact DeAnna Pearl, @ (503) 369-7370 or DeAnna@verno- nia-or.gov. If you would like to know more about becoming a VACC mem- ber, meetings are the second Thursday of the month at 12:30 at the New Hong Kong or email vernoniachamberofcom- merce@gmail.com. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press 1
