CADY Celebrates Lasting Legacy of Community Leaders
Carole J. Estes Award goes to Mimi Ford
Originally written by: Marcia Morris for the Plymouth Record Enterprise on April 21st, 2011
PLYMOUTH—The Honorable Edwin W. Kelly, Administrative Judge of the New Hampshire District Courts and Family Division and one of Plymouth's dynamic own community leaders, was the keynote speaker at an inspirational event sponsored by Communities for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth on Friday at the Common Man in Plymouth.
The event also recognized the ongoing legacy of the late Carole J. Estes, former state representative from Plymouth and former Chair of the CADY Board of Directors. In her honor, the first annual Carole J. Estes Community Leader Award was presented to Mimi Ford by Allison Estes Browne.
Judge Kelly's remarks highlighted the importance of learning the lessons of community from our own childhoods so that we can continue to pass the legacy of leadership to our children and grandchildren. His reflections, deepened by his 32 years of judicial experience, were punctuated by the poignant recollections of the adults in his life who had helped to create the conditions of security and confidence so vital to growth and development.
He shared his own memories of growing up in a tightly knit, ethnically diverse neighborhood outside of New York City, where all the adults shared an implicit understanding that parenting was a job that could not be effectively accomplished in isolation.
The neighbors felt a genuine responsibility for the welfare of all the kids in the neighborhood," said Judge Kelly. "We all understood that is was the adults' job to correct us, to keep us on the path set for us by our parents and the community. The business of caring for the neigborhood kids came naturally for them. It was an extension of the their normal everyday responsibilities."
Judge Kelly said that in Plymouth, CADY is leading the way to a rediscovering of that traditional truth about childhood and community.
"Research tells us that it takes only one caring adult in the life of a child to make teh diference between that child lving a life of risky behavior or leading a life that is far more productive," said Judge Kelly.
Unfortunately, according to CADY Executive Director Deb Naro, nationwide trends indicate a spike in “risky behaviors” as measured by the most recent Teen Assessment Survey, after years of declining alcohol, drug and tobacco use by kids. Those encouraging trends have now begun to reverse, eroding so much of the progress that has been made to date.
The good news is that the Plymouth/Newfound Region is still doing better than the nationwide averages, but the trend is still distinguishable in the local region, as well. Meanwhile, funding for CADY programs and other services is disappearing at an alarming rate as federal and state resources shrink.
Judge Kelly noted that drug and alcohol treatment programs across the state are closing, and mental health services are being eliminated. Meeting the challenges of the future will be ever more difficult in the current economic environment.
With that in mind, it was even more meaningful to honor the legacy of community service and volunteerism personified by Carole Estes.
Deb Naro said that the award in intended as a tribute to Estes’ life of commitment and power of example, in “leading by example, blazing the trial with genuine love of people and living a life of intention, purpose and significance.”
He daughter, Allison Browne, was on hand to present the award to CADY volunteer Mimi Ford, a founder of the CADY Restorative Justice and Court Diversion Program, a panel member helping to create accountability for juvenile crime and help victims heal, and a supporter of community youth. Browne called Mimi Ford a “remarkable woman,” a “behind the scenes leader” who was instrumental in establishing the Restorative Justice Program, organizing fund-raisers and volunteering many hours of service. She has also served on the Board of Genesis Behavioral Heath, the Whole Village, the Community Closet, and other local organizations and has made it her mission to head up the community wide effort to provide over 300 holiday food baskets to families in need each year.
“Mimi Ford is an example of someone who focuses on the possibilities, not on the problems,” said Browne. “She exemplifies the power of one person to make a difference.”
YAAC Youth Take Their Prevention Message to Main Street
Liz Naro - Contributor (published in the Plymouth Record Enterprise on April 21st, 2011)
Earlier this month, Eli Mattrick and Sarah Lachapelle, members of CADY’s Youth Advocacy and Advisory Council (YAACs), took to Plymouth’s Main Street to promote April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The YAAC’s created educational table tents and coloring pages which they distributed to local businesses and restaurants. The table tents that the teens created address the dangers of underage alcohol use and give parents tips on how to talk with their children about alcohol. The YAAC’s gave a great deal of thought to the messages they wanted to share with parents and here is some of what they want you to know:
- Prevention begins at home: parents have the most influence on their child’s choices.
- Between the ages of 9-13, youth begin to think that alcohol use is okay. Start talking when they are young!
- Your children need information to make good decisions – don’t wait until problems arise to talk to them about drinking alcohol.
- Communicate – Discuss your expectations with your child, their friends and their friends’ parents – no alcohol, no tobacco, no drugs – no way!
- Be aware of what your kids’ influences are – Who are their friends? What are they watching on TV? Who are their role models?
- Teach them how to say “No.”
- Be a good example. Kids are like mirrors; they want to be like you.
- Listen to your kids and show them respect – let your child know you trust them to make good decisons and that you are available no matter what!
The YAAC’s also created a coloring and game page for younger youth to share the message that alcohol is for adult use only. The crossword puzzle builds in educational with questions “What continues to develop into the midtwenties?” Answer – the brain!
The youth were energized by the response they received from local businesses to their outreach efforts.
“We are thankful to all the businesses for their support, and for taking our flyers – we hope to get the message out fast!” said Sarah Lachapelle when processing the success of the distribution effort."
Alcohol is the number one youth drug problem in New Hampshire. During Alcohol Awareness Month – and every month - community members can be proactive in preventing underage drinking. If you have information about area gatherings where youth have access to alcohol, just dial 2-1-1 and place an anonymous report to Project Monitor Under 21. A call to 2-1-1 may prevent a harmful situation from happening before it occurs and just may save a call to 9-1-1.
Talk to your children early and often—April 21 is PowerTalk Day—for more information, go to http://www.madd.org/power of parents. Always feel free to call CADY at 603-536-9793 or visit our office at 94 Highland St. in Plymouth for prevention tools.
