Easton, Massachusetts – On Monday, October 30, 2023, Easton Wings of Hope, proudly received a prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the White House at the National Youth Substance Use Prevention Summit. The coalition, recognized for its exceptional work in preventing youth substance use, represented Massachusetts as the sole recipient of this national honor.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, commended 15 Drug-Free Community Coalitions nationwide, Easton Wings of Hope being one of them, for its vital role in addressing the overdose epidemic and supporting the well-being of the nation's youth. 

This recognition extends over two years, positioning Easton Wings of Hope as a role model in the prevention field. At the summit, attendees included Kelly Reed, Community Outreach Director at Old Colony YMCA, Meray Nemr, Oliver Ames High School alumni, and Colleen Less, Easton Wings of Hope Steering Committee member and former Chair of Easton Public Schools.

"Accepting this award on behalf of the coalition is a profound honor. Colleen Less, a founding member since 2015, championed the Wings of Hope mission in Easton. Meray Nemr, a student leader, played a pivotal role in emphasizing prevention in her school. Witnessing their representation of the collective efforts from dedicated community members, who've invested time and resources in achieving Wings of Hope's outcomes, is a testament to what a united community can accomplish." - Kelly Reed, Community Outreach Director, Old Colony Y.

Easton Wings of Hope's future initiatives include collaborating with community organizations through a STOP Act grant from SAMHSA. This grant will focus on addressing underage drinking, particularly among 12-20 year-olds. The coalition's ongoing partnerships with Easton Public Schools, Easton Police Department, Easton Fire Department, The Town of Easton, and various community organizations will continue to emphasize youth leadership development, community education, and awareness through trainings, forums, and campaigns.

For more information on the White House Youth Substance Use Prevention Summit and the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to youth well-being, visit whitehouse.gov.

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About the Old Colony YMCA

At the Y, strengthening communities is our cause.   We offer affordable child care and camp to families, anti-gang programs for at-risk youth, health and fitness programs for families, workforce development, mental health and substance abuse services through our licensed clinic, and numerous other services and programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body.  Founded in 1887, the Old Colony YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization serving more than 140,000 people annually in communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts through eleven branches located in Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Middleboro, Plymouth, Stoughton, and Taunton. 

Learn more about Old Colony YMCA: www.oldcolonyymca.org

More on Drug-Free Community Coalitions

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, is the Nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. Directed by ONDCP in partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the DFC Program provides grants to community-based coalitions to address youth substance use and support President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy by implementing evidence-based prevention locally, and ultimately, save lives. 

About ONDCP

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is a component of the Executive Office of the President and coordinates the nation’s $43 billion drug budget and federal policies, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery support, and supply reduction. Dr. Rahul Gupta is the first medical doctor to serve as the Director of ONDCP.