Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition Honors Community Partners

The North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition volunteers recently recognized community partners who made an impact in their work in 2024.

and is pleased to announce its 2024 Trusted Adult Award winners. School Psychologist Mattison and educator Katherine Bray from the North Reading Middle School, First Grade Hood School educator Annmarie Wright, Flint Memorial Library Assistant Director Tyler Hixon, and North Reading Robotics volunteer coach Karen Moberg were each recognized this year with multiple nominations. The program generated fifty nominations of adults who live or work in North Reading.

Maureen Doherty of the North Reading Transcript was presented the Community Partner Award as an individual who has helped the Coalition promote programs and prevention to the community since its inception ten years ago. Coalition Chair Jen Ford noted, “Maureen has been a constant support, sharing our information online and in the paper and keeping our message of prevention in the local news.”

Heav’nly Donuts also received the Community Partner Award as a business. “Heav’nly Donuts has been posting our community resources in their North Reading location for years. From our parent classes to mental health resources, they’ve consistently highlighted our events in their community hub,” said Coalition Steering Committee Member Laura Miranda.

Maureen Buzby is a regional tobacco inspection coordinator and advisor to the Coalition. She was presented the Catalyst for Change Award. Drug-Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz explained, “About a year ago Maureen began offering her guidance to the Coalition on how to prevent youth from accessing nicotine.” She continued, “She provided policy suggestions that were specifically aimed at decreasing addiction among young people and we’re very thankful for her advice.”

In addition, the North Reading Parks and Recreation Department was recognized with the Collaborative Impact Award. Ford noted, “The staff of their department are always willing to help out. From sharing our information through their newsletter to partnering with us for the summer’s National Night Out, we can always count on them to follow-through and support our work.”

The North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition has led the efforts to reduce youth substance use in the community since 2014. Now in its nineth year of federal funding via the Drug-Free Communities Grant, the Coalition relies on a combination of town departments, staff and volunteers to complete its annual programs and services.