News: Prevention Corps Member Joins Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services Team
| Date Published |
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| 1/15/2021 12:00:00 AM |
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Prevention Corps Member Joins Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services Team
Bristol, CT., January 15, 2021 - Hannah Goodwin, Prevention Corps AmeriCorps Member, has joined the City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services team. Hannah will work hand in hand with Bristol Eliminating Substance Use Together (BEST) and strengthen awareness, engagement and the fight against substance use in the Bristol community.
“I’m very excited to be working with such a dedicated team and look forward to a strong future of service in my very own community” stated Goodwin, who began the ten month term of service in late December.
Goodwin is no stranger to Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services (BPRYCS), serving as the department’s intern in summer 2020, she is familiar with the staff and the day to day workings of the office. Having grown up in Bristol, Goodwin currently attends local Southern Connecticut State University and is studying Recreation and Leisure. “This time Hannah will be joining the team as a Prevention Corps member,” explained Jenelle Howard, BEST Project Coordinator. “Her service, education, and experience will be an asset to the BEST division staff. Having a Prevention Corps member is a great opportunity for multiple organizations to partner.”
Prevention Corps is an AmeriCorps subsidiary program that was established in 2012 to help combat the opioid crisis in Connecticut and is funded by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service. Prevention Corps Members complete service activities utilizing the five steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework model (Assessment, Capacity Building, Evaluation, Planning, and Implementation). “The Prevention Corps align with the BEST coalition because we have the shared goal to keep our communities engaged, aware, and safe.”
Goodwin will engage in community education and harm reduction efforts in conjunction with BEST. Together, they will be responsible for the coordination of Narcan training and presentations on stigma reduction, recovery, and struggles with opioids in the Bristol area. Following the term of service, Goodwin will have served over 900 hours as a Prevention Corps member with BEST.
In exchange for their service, Prevention Corps members receive a modest living stipend and an education award to be used towards post-secondary education or payments on qualified federal student loans.
Superintendent Dr. Joshua Medeiros took a moment to congratulate Hannah for being chosen for the position, “Prevention Corps members are an indispensable resource for nonprofits, municipalities, communities, and the individuals they serve. We’re thrilled to have Hannah back on the team, and as a Bristol native, she will bring valuable community insight and morale.”
Be sure to like and follow the BEST coalition on Facebook and Instagram or check the coalition website, www.Best4Bristol.com, for information about upcoming programs, events, and ways to get involved.