Special to IFN
The Statesville ABC Board on Tuesday announced the distribution of $100,000 to 11 area agencies through its Education Grant Program to assist with the organizations’ substance abuse programs.
The agencies receiving a share of the education grant funds are Aftershock Youth Empowerment, Angel Wings Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont, Children’s Homes of Iredell County, Fifth Street Shelter Ministries, Foundation of Hope Ministries, Iredell County EMS Community Response Support Team, Pharos Parenting, Piedmont Mediation Center, Restoration Road Ministries, and Speak Life and Live,
“The ABC Board strives to run an efficient operation so that each year we can help fund the important programs that work with and prevent substance abuse issues,” said Statesville ABC General Manager Tip Nicholson. “There was an increase in the number of requests this year, but the Board didn’t want to leave anyone out and made the decision to fund each one.”
“Keeping profits in our community to help others is just one of the benefits of a controlled state system,” added Michelle Rokes, ABC Board Chairperson.
Several of the organizations, including Speak Life and Live, provide educational programs for youth that involve tutoring and developing life skills and learning healthy habits.
“Our work empowers students to make positive choices and build strong foundations for lifelong success,” explained Leslie Morrison, co-executive director of Speak Life and Live.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont offers an educational program called Street Smarts “that involves conversations on gangs, drugs, bullying and how to have a proper self-respect for themselves,” said Cory Knight, executive director.
Shanika Turner, executive director with Aftershock Youth Empowerment, stressed that the tutoring and academic intervention services the organization provides for students in grades 3-8 help increase the academic confidence in young people.
“The ABC funds are utilized to support our mission of creating an environment where students can grow academically, emotionally and with confidence,” explained Turner.
Among the youth programs offered by Piedmont Mediation Center is “Clean Teens Substance Awareness Education” that focuses on alcohol and substance abuse. Jessica Lemons, executive director, said the program’s goals are “to break the cycle of abuse, reduce recidivism, educate them on the risks involved.”
Piedmont Mediation also provides resources for substance abuse treatment and recovery.
At Children’s Homes of Iredell County, the ABC Education grant funds substance abuse prevention and recovery initiatives that go far to “strengthen youth wellness, empower recovery ambassadors, and equip clients with tools to support lasting recovery and resilience,” said Kevin Angell, executive director.
Meanwhile, Pharos Parenting works to support and strengthen all families in our community, including those in treatment and recovery from substance misuse, according to Tonya Fowler, executive director at Pharos.
“Thanks to the ABC Education Grant, we are able to offer personalized training and support to help families grow stronger, healthier and more connected,” she said.
The ABC Education Grants enable Foundation of Hope Ministries, Fifth Street Ministries and Restoration Road Ministry (RRM) provide important substance abuse-related services to the community. These organizations assist with housing, sober living, recovery programs, case management and transportation needs. In addition, RRM will use the funds to help start a youth drug and alcohol awareness campaign as part of the organization’s at-risk youth ministry.
The Iredell County EMS Community Response Support Team provides follow-up care and recovery support for individuals affected by substance use, including alcohol and opioids. The team, made up of Community Paramedics and Peer Support Specialists, meets people in their own environments to reduce harm, connects them to treatment and recovery resources, and helps them overcome barriers to care.
The Statesville ABC Board distributes 7 percent of its remaining gross receipts annually for the treatment of alcoholism or substance abuse, or for research or education on alcohol or substance abuse.
“The ABC Board is very appreciative of the work these organizations do to help with and prevent substance abuse issues,” Nicholson said.