Our Impact
Our Impact
The Holliston Drug & Alcohol Awareness Coalition is a community-led organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of the town, particularly its youth, by preventing and reducing substance misuse. We aim to foster a healthy and inclusive community by collaborating with local people, businesses, and organizations. We are able to achieve this through a $625,000 (over 5 years) Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant from the CDC.
See What We’re Up To!
Below is a snapshot of some of the wonderful collaborative events and initiatives we were able to achieve over the 2023-2024 year!
Summer 2023 & 2024:
Junior Police Academy
This year and last, we enhanced our community education by presenting to middle school students at the Junior Police Academy. Over two years, HDAAC and Youth and Family Services (HYFS) engaged around 100 students, teaching them refusal skills and risk and protective factors through interactive skits and “case studies.” This curriculum was built with resources from an evidenced-based program and was well received by the youth.
June 2024: Pride Celebration
HDAAC & HYFS’s involvement in Holliston’s annual Pride Celebration, in collaboration with Diverse Holliston and HolliPride, highlighted our commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. By partnering with these local groups, we not only supported LGBTQ+ Pride initiatives but also promoted wellness, cultural pride, and unity at the event.
May 2024:
Holliston’s 300th Anniversary Parade
Holliston’s 300th Anniversary Parade was a vibrant celebration of the town’s strong family and community ties, showcasing our collective solidarity. This milestone event highlighted the importance of community connectedness in promoting wellness and cultural pride. HDAAC & HYFS march together alongside some of our youth volunteers, showcasing hand-made signs with inspirational messages which reinforced our commitment to promoting wellness and unity in the town.
May 2024:
Walk/Bike To School Day
Walk/Bike to School Day is an event designed to promote physical health and community togetherness. By tabling at Blair Square where the walk started, HDAAC & HYFS supported the initiative and encouraged students to engage in healthy substance-free activities that promote their health. This community event successfully highlighted the importance of wellness, fostering a stronger, more connected town.
May 2024:
RAMS GSA “Craft-ernoon”
Our collaboration with the Middle School Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and Janine’s Jewelry Design led to a successful “Craft-ernoon” event, where students engaged in painting rocks and making bracelets. This two-hour after-school activity provided a supportive and creative space for students to express their queer identities and foster a sense of belonging. The event not only strengthened our partnership with the GSA but also highlighted our commitment to creating inclusive and protective spaces for youth, which we know is a crucial productive factor in the fight against substances.
May 2024: 8th Grade Service Day
During the 8th Grade Service Day, a group of students were asked to volunteer with HDAAC for a focus group where they were asked questions about substance use at the middle school. During the Q&A, they were able to paint rocks to create a more comfortable environment. In the afternoon, the entire 8th grade was rewarded with a field day. One of the stations during this afternoon field day was tie-dying t-shirts that HDAAC brought in.
May 2024: Art Saves Lives
“Art Saves Lives” is a district-wide art exhibit held in May to showcase the incredible talent of our students. This celebration not only highlighted the strength of family and community ties in Holliston but also significantly boosted youth participation in substance-free activities. HDAAC & HYFS were so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this meaningful space that promoted wellness and cultural pride.
May 2024: Drunk Driving Simulator
We partnered with two High School students who hosted a drunk driving simulator event as their Service Learning project. This aimed to educate students about the dangers of driving under the influence. The simulator provided a safe, controlled environment for students to experience the impaired effects of alcohol, reinforcing the risks of drunk driving. The Police and Fire Departments were also there to support this initiative.
May 2024: Green Bandana Event
During Mental Health Month, we collaborated with the High School’s Beautiful Minds Club and HYFS to host the Green Bandana Project. Students participated in a crocheting event, stitching designs on green bandanas to symbolize mental health awareness and self-care. This initiative successfully fostered community connections, promoted mental health, and aligned with our coalition’s mission of encouraging positive, drug-free spaces.
March & April 2024: ThinkFast Interactive Substance Presentation
We introduced the ThinkFast Interactive program to Holliston High School, engaging around 400 students in a dynamic game-show-style presentation focused on drug and alcohol education. The event received lots of positive feedback, with over 80% of students reporting they were satisfied and nearly 50% reporting increased caution about substance use.
February 2024: Student DEI Training
This Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Training featured a local expert who HDAAC sponsored to come in and trained 40 High School Student Advisory Leaders (all juniors) in a “train-the-trainer” model, arming them to promote DEI tools among the freshman students in their advisories.
January 2024: CADCA Conference
Fire Chief Cassidy, PTO Member Barb Ryan, and our Coordinator Zoe attended the CADCA Conference, where they gained valuable knowledge on enhancing community initiatives. Sending two members to CADCA’s Leadership Forum helped to boost our membership capacity, which is one of our Action Plan goals each year. Moving forward, we will maintain this momentum by sending additional members to future CADCA conferences.
January 2024: Narcan Training
We partnered with the Fire and Police Departments to conduct a free Narcan training for the community. This collaboration provided valuable information on Narcan, a critical tool for reversing opioid overdoses, and general education on opioids.
October 2023: Haunted House
We organized a Haunted House fundraiser in collaboration with HYFS, the Parks Department, and the local Girl Scout Troop, benefiting the town’s Community Action Fund (CAF), which supports residents in need. The event raised nearly $1,000 and provided a fun, drug-free activity for families on a half-day of school.
September 2023: HHS Football Game
We tabled at one of the high school football games to promote drug-free living and taking care of your mental health. This was a way for HDAAC & HYFS to get our names out there to the community and connect with young people and their families.
Get involved today!
Email moreauz@holliston.k12.ma.us to start today!