BY DEBBIE PAGE
Project Coordinator Kristin Blumenstein introduced new Executive Director Cory Knight during the August meeting of the Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell.
Knight has a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Pensacola Christian College and spent the last 15 years in the nonprofit world, mainly working with youth through sports, camps, and other activities.
Married for 15 years to Meghan and father of 5-year-old Phinehas, Knight expressed his passion for helping others and pointing them in the right direction.
“Being a part of DACI will allow me to continue doing what I am most passionate about. I am excited for this opportunity and am looking forward to seeing what great things we can accomplish together,” he said.
DACI has a Drug-Free Communities grant, focusing on youth vaping and youth drinking. Blumenstein said the grant has seven focus areas: providing information and education, providing support to reduce risk, changing consequences (incentives/disincentives), modifying and changing laws/policy, building skills through training, enhancing access and reducing barriers to services, and modifying physical design in the community to reduce risk or enhance protection.
In her recent grant reporting, Blumenstein documented that DACI had engaged in all seven strategies in the past year, noting that most coalitions manage only five. She hopes to continue and expand these strategies with the assistance of coalition members in the coming year.
Blumenstein also reported that she and DACI intern Amy Lei attended CADCA’s Mid-Year Training Institute in July. Blumenstein said the event was a great opportunity to network with coalitions across the country and around the world and to share what they are learning and implementing in their communities.
The informative sessions, presented by experts in the fields of substance use prevention and coalition building, provided the DACI team with a wealth of new information and strategies that they are eager to implement in the community.
“We are excited to continue to be at the forefront of substance use prevention efforts and to share our knowledge with our community,” said Blumenstein.
Blumenstein also attended the Fentvic Meetup in Statesville on July 27. At this event, attendees shared their experiences of losing loved ones to fentanyl poisoning. Some have since started nonprofits to spread awareness and advocate for improved naloxone policies in schools and communities.
Blumenstein supported two speakers who shared their stories in hopes of encouraging the adoption of a policy for requiring availability of naloxone in local schools at a recent Iredell-Statesville Schools Board meeting.
SOLUTIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE PRESENTATION
DACI member Solutions for Independence in Winston-Salem gave a presentation about its services for those with disabilities, which includes an array of services and cross-disability expertise to meet consumers needs.
The agency wants to break the mold of traditional attitudes about people who have both visible and less obvious disabilities. They provide information and referral services, independent living skills training, peer support, advocacy, institutional transitions and diversions, and youth transitions.
The agency’s goals are to encourage people to make good choices and exercise control over their own lives, to expand their access to information and resources, to increase their independence, and to improve the quality of their lives.
Residents of Catawba and Iredell counties are eligible for Solutions for Independence’s Transitions to Community Living (TCL) Program. TCL provides eligible adults living with serious mental illnesses the opportunity to choose where they live, work and play in North Carolina. This initiative promotes recovery through providing long-term housing, community-based services, supported employment, and community integration.
For more information on its services or to request assistance, visit the agency’s website at http://www.sicilnc.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Overdose Vigil
DACI’s Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil will be on Thursday, August 29, at Christ Church (2172 Wilkesboro Highway in Statesville) at 7 p.m. The event will remember those lost to overdose and offer resources and speakers delivering messages of hope. The event is sponsored by DACI, Iredell County Community Support Response Team, Integrated Care of Greater Hickory, Statesville Police Department, and Christ Church.
Domestic Violence Symposium
The 2024 Symposium on Domestic and Sexual Violence is on Wednesday. September 25, at the Statesville Civic Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 300 are expected to attend this statewide event. This event aims to raise awareness and educate the community on important issues related to domestic and sexual violence. Experts in the field will be sharing their knowledge and insights through engaging presentations and interactive discussions.
The topics include domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking, trauma-informed forensic interviewing, offender focused programming, service provider burnout prevention, a case study of a domestic violence homicide, and HSI technology.
The symposium is free to all victim service providers, law enforcement, legal system, related medical personnel, child advocates, and first responders and offers continuing education credit for law enforcement.
The event is sponsored by NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mooresville Police Department, Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), Dove House, and Fifth Street Ministries.
Those interested should register by September 1 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-symposium-on-domestic-and-sexual-violence-tickets-950928130637?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Iredell Walk for Recovery
The 7th Annual Iredell Walk for Recovery will be at ESC Park (338 North Avenue) in Troutman on Saturday, September 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. Registration for vendor spots (for organizations associated with recovery, mental or physical health, or community services) for this free event is open until September 20. Contact Kristin Blumenstein at kristin.daci@gmail.com for vendor information.
The family event features live music from Uptown Party Band, free food, and many children’s activities including face painting, magician, balloon animals, games, splash pad, and playground.
The event is sponsored by platinum supporters Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell, Foundation of Hope Ministries, ICGH-Statesville, Iredell-Statesville Schools, Partners Iredell Community Collaborative, PQA, Piedmont Healthcare, Restoration Road Ministry, and Southern Family Medicine.
Gold sponsors are Fifth Street Ministries, Food Lion, Iredell Free News, NAMI, along with Silver sponsor Mooresville Graded School District and bronze sponsors Foundry House, Sawyer Insurance, and Turning Point Family Services.
For more information, visit the Iredell Walk for Recovery website at https://sites.google.com/view/iredellcountywalkforrecovery/ or view on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IREDELLWALKFORRECOVERY.
Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk
The annual American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide’s Out of the Darkness Walk for the Central Piedmont region is planned for 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, at Statesville High School’s football stadium (474 North Center Street).
Speakers will share their thoughts, and vendors will be on hand to provide information about community resources.
The group hopes to raise $88,500 from the event to help provide resources, education, and support to prevent the epidemic of suicide in America. Attendees can register online or donate or register in-person at the walk by scanning a QR code.
For more information, contact Susan Tolle at bstolle@bellsouth.net.
