The Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition Town Hall Meeting was held on May 30, 2018 at the LCBC Church, located at 100 Main Street, Harleysville.
This important event is held every two years and gives us an opportunity to share with the community the goals and accomplishments of the Coalition. Some highlights of this year’s Town Hall included:
- Keynote Speaker – Sue Simon, District Director for Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. District Director Simon spoke on the the current opioid crisis in Montgomery County, a crisis that last year claimed over 240 lives. Montgomery County reports one of the highest opioid death rates in our state. The use of heroin is also on the rise and there are over 30,000 deaths that are related to the use of this harmful substance. District Director Simon believes that a solution is possible, if we all work together. She encouraged those in the room to continue their efforts in addressing the current crisis and stated the commitment of her office to support prevention efforts in our community.
- Dr. Christopher Hey, President of the Coalition provided a snapshot of the 2018 Indian Valley Character Counts! Support Card-The Support Card includes results from recent surveys of young people in the Indian Valley regarding risk and protective factors in their lives, and frequency of drug and alcohol use and abuse.
- Students from the Souderton Area School District were on hand for a facilitated conversation with youth from the Indian Valley.
The Indian Valley Character Counts would like to thank the Montgomery County Department of Drug and Alcohol for providing the Coalition with a Prevention Program Mini Grant to support our breakfast.
We would also like to acknowledge our Community Partners who consistently support our efforts to help keep our youth healthy, safe, and drug free; Abington Jefferson Health, Faith Bible Fellowship Church, the North Penn YMCA, LCBC Branch Creek Campus, K. J. Doors, Harleysville Bank, Harleysville Jaycees, The Weimer Group, Godshall’s Quality Meats, Rotary Club of Harleysville, Souderton Area School District and the Souderton Telford Rotary.