June 2018 McK-UDOS Newsletter

Coalition Meeting Notes

On June 21, 2018 we had our coalition meeting.  We had 23 members attend.  Below are the Meeting Minutes:

Called to meeting at 12:05 pm

Presentation by Vernalynne De La Rosa (Program Coordinator): 

MEMBERS PRESENT

 UPDATES 

• During Alcohol Awareness Month, McK-UDOS used Twitter, Facebook and WeChat postings to provide more information to the community. 
• McK-UDOS gained 5 more followers in the month and retweeted several times.
• We posted campaign materials about dangers of alcohol and changing social perception of underage alcohol use in the McKinley Park Neighborhood (i.e. clinics, businesses, stores) 
• We had a school assembly for 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders at Pickard Elementary. Lee Roupas from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission provided a presentation. We had a positive response from teachers and students, we were invited back in June.

• We have participated in several School Assemblies and Youth Events in the community.  
• We were at Farragut Career academy for their spring break kickoff event.
• McK-UDOS had a table at the Gads Hill Center Leadership Summit and Peace Summit.  It was a great way to interact with the parents and the youth.
• At the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) youth summit, we did workshops for students from 5^th to 8^th grade. 

• McK-UDOS is part of Collaborative for Community Wellness. MAHA has given numbers for those serviced in the neighborhoods of southwest Chicago.  We were at the press release about disparity of mental health therapist in SW Chicago.  In Gold Coast and Oak Park, there are 4 therapists for every 1,000 residents.  For the southwest side of Chicago, there are 0.17 therapist for every 1,000 residents.
• Here is the report https://www.scribd.com/document/380715019/Collaborative-for-Community-Wellness-Mental-Health-Report-Executive-Summary 

• Illinois Youth Survey 2018 have finished. More schools have taken the survey in comparison to the 4 schools in 2016. The schools include: Brighton Park Elementary School, Calmeca Academy, Columbia Explorers Academy, Evergreen Middle School, Pilsen Elementary Community Academy, Phillip D. Armour Elementary School, John C. Burroughs Elementary School, Josiah L. Pickard Elementary School, Sheridan Elementary Math & Science Academy 

• 2018 Summer Youth Program will run from July 2, 2018 – August 10, 2018 and will include 25 youth from age 13-18-years-old.  The teachers have programed curriculum involving physical exercise, museum field trips, substance abuse curriculum, and arts and crafts.  They are still looking for speakers. 
• Erica and Jandy described the needs they have for speakers.  They could use help in college preparation.
• Heather from the DEA stated she can present to the students.
• Yan from Project Vision also said depending on the scheduling, she maybe able to present on college preparation

 
 
INFORMATION: MARIJUANA

• Marijuana comes from cannabis plant which comes from 3 types: Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis.

• The chemicals in Marijuana include cannabinol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  The THC levels have increased over the years.  Through the years,

• 1974 = 1% 
• 1994 = 4% 
• 2008 = 9.6% 
• 2018 = Some go as high as 30% 

• In edibles, the THC levels can be significantly higher than in blunts
• The effect on the brain can include: impaired thinking, learning and memory, IQ, reduced school performance, respiratory system, cough, phlegm, frequent chest colds, abnormal lung function 
• Marijuana can also affect reproductive system: change structure of sperm cells, menstrual cycle, Increased heartbeat, slow reaction time, interferes with coordination 
• Movement and Balance is affected with marijuana use by increasing heartbeat, slowing reaction time, interfering with coordination, and impairing driving 
• Marijuana affects mental health by impairing emotional development, causing depression, anxiety, and psychosis, and reducing life satisfaction 
• Facts about Marijuana 
  • Marijuana smoke contains 50 percent to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. Most people inhale and hold their breath longer with marijuana smoke.
  • As of February 2018, 29 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws that legalize medical marijuana in some form. And 8 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to legalize marijuana for recreational use. 
  • Just today, Canada passed legalizing recreational marijuana 

 
 
COALITION BRAINSTORMING / COLLABORATION 

• Review One-on-One Coalition Meeting Findings
  • Members interviewed had a range 1 month to 18 months. 
  • One of the main reasons people joined was to decrease underage substance abuse. Other reasons include MAHA is a well-known agency, wanting to change policy, and provide support community
  • Every member interviewed has attended at least on coalition meeting, but everyone has reported not feeling engaged to little engagement.
  • Everyone reported ways the coalition can improve is having more communication.  It was also Recommended to have more youth and parent involvement.

• Those who attended the meeting broke up into groups of 4 to brainstorm on how to make the coalition stronger.  The presented are:
  • What can we do to improve and maintain coalition engagement? 
  • What areas and activities can we collaborate in for the future? 
  • What activities do you think the coalition should also be involved in to gain more community engagement?

The coalition meeting regrouped and each group summarized their discussion.

• Ada T – with the various sectors represented, perhaps we can have a time to connect so we can learn what other members are doing in the community.
• Yan – We can continue to collaborate on workshops.
• Sara – with the youth summer program coming up, you can ask the youth about what helpful messages they would see fit
• Justin – have casual focus groups with the youth of summer program
• Heather – the DEA age appropriate informational books (i.e. coloring books, graphic comic books, pencils). We can also work on the various activities with SAMHSA like operation prevention and Red Ribbon week.
• Ed – Community tours would help show the assets of the community and resources available.  Look into having cross community collaborations to help familiarize with other resources in the community
• Justin – Have a youth event with a message integrated throughout the event.  Saturday nights, there is a group of youth and adults who go racing.  Perhaps having a car show with classic cars. 
• Patricia W. – Have a community picnic, parade, etc. In some communities, there is the one dog or pet everyone knows.
• Justin – The McKinley Park Advisory Council maybe interested in collaborating
• Patricia J. – In September, it is recovery month. There are events in the community to partner with other agencies
• Yan – In chinatown, there is the dragon boat festival, and 5k.  It could be helpful to set up a table at the events.  Also check with the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
• Ana – Fiesta del Sol in Pilsen is a non-alcoholic event.
• Ed – Have committees to take some leadership. Also in high schools, there are service learning counselors who will be able to connect youth to services in our coalition
• Yan – community event notification via WeChat will be helpful.  We can let people know about when we are hosting the collaboration of youth and parent workshops
• Sara – have people plug in at different levels.  Moms can plug-in during the day who do not work.  Also arranging for language barriers
• Bianca – the National Guard can attend events at schools.  Continue to target schools who have not yet done the IYS
• Patricia J – Do an assessment of needs and desires of members to identify barriers to building coalition.  We can also participate at events and sit at the booth to provide data for the program
• Sara – if starting a youth coalition, it may look different than the adult coalition
• Silvia – upcoming smoke out in Little Village
• Provide monthly newsletter 

Meeting Adjourned at 1:30pm

McK-UDOS in the Community

Farragut Career Academy (03/23/2018)




Rep. Theresa Mah Health Fair (03/24/2018)




Gads Hill Center Leadership Summit (03/28/2018)




Pickard Elementary School (04/06/2018)




Gads Hill Center Peace Center (04/06/2018)



Beat 912 Meeting  (04/12/2018)

*Picture by Justin Kerr of McKinley Park News



BPNC Health Fair (04/14/2018)



Colombia Explorers Academy (05/11/2018)




Brighton Park Elementary School Assembly (05/22/2018)




Collaborative for Community Wellness Press Relase (05/31/2018)




Burroughs Elementary School Student Assembly (06/13/2018)

Enlace / Roots to Wellness
Health Resource Fair
Friday, June 29, 2018
 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Saucedo Elementary School

Bike the 12^th Ward
Saturday, June 30, 2018
10:00AM – 1:00PM
McKinley Park
 2210 W. Pershing Rd
Chicago, IL

Beat 912 Meeting,
2^nd Wednesday of the month
7:00pm – 8:00pm
St. Maurice Church
3615 S Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL

Chinatown 5k & Youth Run
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Chinatown Square
2133 S China Place
 Chicago, IL

Please let us know if you have any events you would like us to add in our next newsletter