Published: June 26, 2009 06:52 pm      

Mission Possible hosting banquet

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — A lot of new things have been happening during the past year for the Mission Possible Coalition, and a recognition banquet thanking those who have been involved will be held Tuesday.

“The coalition is going to recognize the top 10 members of our coalition or community organizations that have assisted us in the last year to 18 months in furthering our initiatives, and the social norms campaigns,” coalition director Robin Dodd said. “And, we’ll be recognizing those who have been instrumental in our success, those who have been a champion for our activities.”

The Mission Possible Coalition has a membership of between 30 to 35 people, with between 20 to 25 “continually involved” members of the community. The members represent 12 sectors: Government, law enforcement, schools, youth, parents, social service agencies, religious/fraternal organizations, civic organizations, business, health care providers, other organizations, and those working to prevent substance abuse.

This year the coalition initiated the social norms “Most Don’t” campaign, which emphasizes to teens and young adults that according to statistics, most teens don’t drink alcohol. The coalition partnered with the Regional Office of Education to continue the truancy reduction program and the truancy review board; supported pro-social events such as family night activities; partnered with Lively Stone and Shiloh churches to hold the end of year academic recognition event and other events. Dodd said this year the coalition also partnered with the Mt. Vernon Police Department to set up alcohol compliance and sobriety check points.

In addition, the coalition also continues to sponsor Red Ribbon Week and the Red Ribbon Festival. The coalition worked with Mt. Vernon Township High School to get the Positive Behavior Intervention System underway at the school, and Dodd said the coalition is also working with the Juvenile Justice Council to get Youth Court up and running.

“We try to work in partnerships and create partnerships with those in our community to make things better and provide positive activities for our youth and families,” Dodd said.

The 2009 Recognition Banquet will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Municipal Building West located at 200 Potomac Blvd.