OUR MISSION


to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug use among the youth of Passaic City by offering trainings,
community education, sharing of resources and encouraging collaboration between communities.

OUR HISTORY

In late 2018, William Paterson University received a Drug-Free Communities grant to prevent alcohol and marijuana use among Passaic City youth using a public health approach, such as, providing information, enhancing skills, providing support, enhancing access, reducing barriers, changing consequences, changing physical design, and modifying/changing policies. For prevention efforts to be effective, it requires that community members be involved in each step of community change process.

We began our work with Mayor Hector Lora to establish a youth council that gives Passaic City youth the opportunity to voice their concerns, plan out initiatives using Passaic City Hall resources. We have provided safe-beverage server trainings to liquor-licensed establishments, collected youth data and reported results with key community members, hosted community meetings, collaborated with organizations to provide education and resources to families, and displayed youth drug-prevention campaigns in the community.

OUR HISTORY