Totally Preventable

This week we are joined by Sarah Dinklage, the founding Director of Rhode Island Student Assistance Services (RISAS). The RI Student Assistance Program has grown from a pilot in seven high schools to over 70 middle and high schools in 32 Rhode Island school districts. RISAS provides a range of evidence-based programs designed to prevent substance use and promote mental health in youth regardless of income level, cultural context, or immigration status. We sit down with Sarah to learn more about the amazing work being done in schools across Rhode Island and the resources available for students.

This week we are joined by Gloria Crist, Creative Director the CORE Org! 

The CORE Org. is Creative Outreach Reinventing Expression, a source, and resource 501(c)3, providing arts enrichment and wellness. The CORE Org. was created by Ms. Gloria Crist, who holds a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling as well as a CAGS in Expressive and Creative Arts. She is a professional actor/director and producer with various credits in theater/film and television. Gloria has been the Creative Director of Tiverton High School Drama since 2009. She has been an arts-integrated specialist for many years, and has worked with children in the public school system, private settings and adjudicated/at-risk children. Gloria has developed many arts-integrated programs and non-profits for children and young adults, including most recently, TASA (Tiverton After School Arts), which was The Core. Org.’s predecessor. She believes all children from all levels of life are entitled to arts-integrated learning, and self-awareness through the creative process.

Peer Productions, a collaboration with the CORE org and Newport County Prevention Coalition, is taking the power of film and social media and putting it in the creative minds of 8th-12 graders to write, produce and act in their own series of films- in the hope their narrative will have a wider and more realistic approach for young people struggling with the chaos and mental health issues Covid introduced into their world.  PEER PRODUCTIONS fulfills a specific need:  Giving young people the power to express themselves through writing/acting and film- in real time- with real stories on big theme issues:  depression, anxiety, relationships, self medicating, substance abuse, gender identity, isolation and feeling like "not being heard or seen".

For more information, visit www.thinkfeelcreate.org or www.newportcountyprevention.org/peerproductions

This week we are joined by Michael Falcone, Director of Baseball Operations, of the Newport Gulls! Michael joins us to talk about the 2022 Summer Season, what goes on behind the scenes of a game, and the community work being done by the entire team at Cardines Field. Check out the upcoming game schedule at newportgulls.com and come out to our Prevention Night at Cardines Field on June 29th at 6:30PM!

This week the focus is on nutrition! Greg & Polly sit down with Melissa Kirdzik, Registered Dietician & Owner of Eat To Live, to ask questions about the science of nutrition and how food impacts our physical and mental well-being. Eat To Live is run by a team of 3 Registered Dietitians located on a quest to promote customized holistic nutrition and overall wellness. Visit their organic boutique at 493 Broadway Newport, Rhode Island 02840 and learn more about their Nutritional Counseling opportunities at www.eattolivenewport.com.

This week we are joined by Jessica Walsh, Executive Director of Women's Resource Center! Jessica shares her insight on how we as a community can end stigma surrounding domestic violence and understand the many forms of domestic violence. If you are experiencing domestic violence, always remember that the abuse is not your fault and that the Women’s Resource Center is here to listen and support you without judgment. For resources visit www.wrcnbc.org, or call the 24/7 helpline for assistance or shelter at 1-800-494-8100, or visit http://www.ricadv.org/ to message with an advocate.

Hey preventors! This week we are joined by Angela Kemp, Director of Prevention and Special Projects, & Yeimy Bakemon-Morel, Project Manager, at Day One RI. Day One is the only agency in Rhode Island that is specifically organized to deal with issues of sexual assault as a community concern. The organization provides treatment, intervention, education, advocacy, and prevention services to Rhode Islanders of all ages. Angela & Yeimy join us to discuss addressing sexual assault as a community concern and how we can foster change throughout Rhode Island.

This week we are joined by Pamela Martin, a School Liaison at Naval Station Newport! Pamela is the conduit between parents, educators and the command so that military-connected children experience a seamless transition during the transfer between schools.

We're back to talk more about Peer Recovery with Hope Recovery Center! This week we are joined by Jonathan Sullivan, a Peer Recovery Specialist and Manager of the Newport location.

This week we are joined by Lori Kosicki, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Manager of the Hope Recovery Center Middletown Office. Lori joins us to discuss the amazing work being done by Hope Recovery Center by opening new pathways for recovery for people struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health disorder. For more information on Hope Recovery Center and upcoming events and groups, visit https://www.hoperecoverycenter.org/.

On this week's episode of Totally Preventable, Greg & Polly sit down with Rebecca Elwell, Director of Newport County Prevention Coalition, to discuss the unintended consequences of marijuana legalization in Rhode Island.