White Plains Cares Coalition Holds City Mixer

Business, government, public safety, religious groups, health organizations, residents, schools and others who have a vested interest in the City’s youth will come together Tuesday to learn how they can work together to end underage drinking and drug abuse.

The White Plains Cares Coalition is inviting individuals and groups to attend its City Mixer on Tuesday at TD Bank, 285 Mamaroneck Ave. from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“We know this is definitely a conversation that needs to be had with adults and key leaders, “ said Wayne Francis—of the , which houses the White Plains Cares Coalition. “No one sector can do this by themselves. As a coalition we partner with existing organizations to get out the message to the people on how important it is to get together and talk about this issue.” 

The coalition—which is federally funded in its seventh year, and had about 35 members—aims to educate people and move them to action about changed culture to move away from unhealthy habits.

“The coalitions’ efforts focus on strengthening the protective factors, opportunities and activities to help the youth grow up healthy and safe,” said Youth Bureau Executive Director Frank Williams. “The coalitions takes a look at the environmental challenges young people may be facing that cause drinking and any kind of negative behavior and focus on minimizing the things that might cause harm to young people.”

The coalition currently works with the White Plains School District and other groups to provide school-based counseling, and also parents with other groups to hold events like and   The coalition also worked with the White Plains Common Council to eliminate smoking in city parks. Francis says that seeing “no smoking” signs have a residual and generational impact on behavior and culture.

“One of the great things about the City of White Plains is we all work together,” said Williams. “All of our stakeholders are trying to respond to keep White Plains away from being a city where the behavior might undermine the progress we’ve seen over the year.” said Williams 

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