FRANKLIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT T-BALL GAMES

Volition Franklin was welcomed by the Franklin Recreation Department to host a resource table at the July 9th Recreation Department t-ball games. The coalition had the opportunity to provide information to approximately 125 registered players, their parents and siblings regarding substance misuse prevention. Many people interacted with the Volition Franklin volunteers at the table to receive resources and the free Volition Franklin Frisbee give a way! Educational sheets included information of how to start conversations with children about the dangers of underage drinking, advertisement for the upcoming Volition Franklin little libraries book drive, as well as a palm card consisting of general information about the coalition.

ALCOHOL ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN

Volition Franklin Youth conducted environmental scans of alcohol advertising in Franklin to obtain data on the extent of alcohol advertising exposure to teens. A national study, Effects of Alcohol Advertising Exposure on Drinking Amount Youth, concluded that greater exposure to alcohol advertising contributes to an increase in drinking among underage youth. Specifically, for each additional ad a young person saw (above the monthly youth average of 23), he or she drank 1% more (Snyder, Milici, Slater, 2006).  Though photo journaling, youth documented alcohol advertising in Franklin for two weeks.  Environmental scans were done at alcohol retailers and advertisements within the Franklin community or events. Youth were specially looking for photo categories which included: a power wall of alcohol boxes displaying a larger image, advertising that directly appeals to youth/ young people, and outrageous product placement of alcohol next to youth-driven products.

Surprisingly, a minimal amount of alcohol advertising was noted.  Within alcohol retailers, the majority had alcohol and all alcohol advertising confined to one location within the store.  Two stores had alcohol placed on end caps next to candy and soda.  Volition can utilize this data to approach retailers, and along with education, encourage them to place alcohol in one location away from items youth may be interested in. 

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT

Volition Franklin and The City of Franklin Health Department partnered to host the third outdoor “Franklin Family Fun Flick” at Lion Legions Park. Volition Youth also gave a five minute presentation about the prevention work we do.  The featured presentation was the movie, “Jumanji”. 

Over 400 individuals attended the event.  Of the 55 people who evaluated the event, 100% indicated the event met their expectations and 98% would attend a similar event in the future.  In addition, attendees agreed that the youth spread positive messaging about healthy lifestyles informed choices; meeting the group’s goal. 

The event shed positive light on the city and local business; and promoted health and family togetherness.

INNOVATIVE FITNESS MEMBER APPRECIATION EVENT

Volition Franklin was honored to be selected as the charity of choice for the Innovative Health and Fitness member appreciation day. This day consisted of local vendors focused on contributing to a healthy Franklin hosting tables with resources, games, and giveaways inside and outside of the Innovative facility.

The coalition also provided information on how to talk to youth about underage drinking, and the Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign.

PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST CAMPAIGN

Volition Franklin participated in the statewide Parents Who Hose Lose the Most campaign in a variety of ways. Volition Youth conducted a sticker shock campaign at local alcohol retailer, Kwik Trip.   Students placed over 400 Parents Who Host stickers on alcohol packaging to provide a visual reminder to people purchasing alcohol that they should not provide it to underage youth.  The campaign was conducted in May when the prevalence of teen parties tends to be higher due to prom and graduation season.  A handout was left at the checkout counter providing more detailed information about the campaign and how to host safe teen parties.

Volition Franklin also partnered with the Franklin Police Department to create a Parents Who Hose Lose the Most Public Service Announcement to be used on Volition Franklin social media as well as next year as movie previews in our local theater. The 50 second clip was produced and edited by two Franklin High School student volunteers.

Additionally, Volition Franklin obtained authorization from the City of Franklin Parks Commission to place a campaign yard sign at each of the City Parks. Signs were placed for three weeks spanning from May-June. A flyer regarding the role parents play in children’s choices was included in the Franklin city newsletter and distributed to all Franklin homes and businesses.

FRANKLIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 6TH GRADE CAMP

Volition Franklin collaborated with Franklin Public Schools to facilitate a session at the annual 6th grade camping trip. This was Volition Franklin’s 2nd year participating and facilitating a decision making session at the 6th grade camp held in Hartland, Wisconsin.

The Volition Franklin led decision making session focused on the reality that in life and in middle and high school, students will have to face hard decisions. Having positive influences in one’s life and knowing the difference between right and wrong or healthy and unhealthy decisions will contribute to a healthy and safe life.

SOUTHWOOD GLEN SPRING CARNIVAL

Volition Franklin was invited to facilitate a game at the Southwood Glen Elementary School Spring Carnival. The coalition ran a PLINKO style game. The game focused on positive choices and characteristics of a good friend. Depending on which color the student’s PLINKO chip landed in, they were asked a question focused on traits of a good friend.

Volition Franklin also offered information to parents including SAMHSA booklets “Keeping Youth Drug Free”, Parents Who Host Lose the Most materials, a Volition Franklin created flyer of how to start the conversation with your children about the dangers of underage drinking, and a flyer for our June outdoor movie night.

NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK

SAMHSA National Prevention Week is an annual occurrence to increase public awareness of and around mental and/or substance use disorders. Volition Franklin participated in National Prevention Week 2018 in a variety of ways.

This year’s prevention week theme was Action Today. Healthier Tomorrow. The coalition showcased this theme with a community wide activity in which participants filled out an oversized puzzle piece identifying one thing they do to today to contribute to a healthy Franklin tomorrow. The activity was facilitated at the Franklin Public Library through which over 75 individuals participated. It was also facilitated at Forest Park Middle School and Franklin High School at each lunch period reaching over 200 youth participants.

30 puzzle pieces were chosen at random and winners received a 1 week free pass to a local fitness facility donated by Innovative Health and Fitness.

The Franklin Public Library also created a prevention week book display of materials focused on substance misuse prevention and healthy living.

Volition Franklin also partnered with our local Culvers (4220 W Oakwood Park Court Franklin WI) on Tuesday May 15th for a fundraiser night. Culvers donated 10% of all sales made between 4PM and 9PM.

GROWING UP DIGITAL RESOURCE TABLE

Volition Franklin members hosted a resource table at the Franklin School District and Franklin Police Department hosted Growing Up Digital Presentation. This presentation was focused on actions one can take as a parent to protect, monitor and engage children around technology. Volition Franklin greeted community members and disseminated information focused on how to talk to kids about underage drinking, as well as engaged individuals in our National Prevention Week activity.

FRANKLIN PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT SOCCER GAMES, RESOURCE TABLE

Volition Franklin attended the Parks and Recreation Department youth soccer games this Spring season, facilitating a Volition Franklin education table. Coalition members offered information about our coalition, shared details about upcoming programs, and disseminated resources about the risks associated with underage drinking.

We had the opportunity to meet over 200 players and families and spread the word about our group through our chip clip, sticker and pen give aways!

Greenfield Health and Wellness Fair

Volition Franklin hosted a table at the Greenfield Health and Wellness day sharing information about our coalition and educating on how to dispose of unused and expired medications.

Perils and Pitfalls of Pills

Volition Franklin in partnership with the Franklin Health Department hosted a medication focused presentation in Franklin. Perils and Pitfalls of Pills was a presentation by speaker Claire Seduskhak, registered Pharmacist, Gerontologist, and certified senior advisor.

The presentation focused on:

1. Asking the right questions when prescribed an opioid medication- the potential for abuse, the risk of dependency, whether other medications are just as effective
2. Implementing a proven system for regularly taking medications to improve wellness
3. Avoiding problems with vitamins and supplements which can impact medications
4. Safely storing and disposing of unused medications

TABLE AT FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME

Volition Franklin attended the JV and Varsity Basketball Games, and distributed Light and Unite RED giveaways. 

The giveaway marked the second day of Light and Unite RED week- a Franklin wide campaign shining a light on the importance of substance use prevention!

Substance Misuse Prevention and Treatment Resource Event

Volition Franklin, along with other Milwaukee County substance misuse prevention and treatment groups came together in South Milwaukee to offer resource tables before and after a resource event. 

Our group had the opportunity to spread the word about our efforts and provide prevention resources and education to community members who attended the event. 

Naloxone Training

Volition hosted a free Narcan Training for the Franklin community on January 15, 2018. 

Narcan is an opioid antagonist which attendees were trained to administer. 

The training was led by a Prevention Specialist from the Aids Resource center, and offered attendees an overview of substance abuse/ heroin overdose 101, demonstrated both the nasal and injectable preparations of narcan, and answered questions on substance abuse overdose and how to treat it. 

Due to the high level of interest in this training, Volition is looking to host another training sessions.

If interested in a future training, please reach out on the contact page.  

RED RIBBON WEEK: OCTOBER 23-31, 2017

Red Ribbon Week is an annual campaign uniting communities across the nation in their stand against drugs and commitment to a drug-free lifestyle. 

We recognized this event in a variety of ways. A huge thank you to all of the community members who participated and supported the campaign!

Some of the things Volition Franklin facilitated during Red Ribbon Week include:

• Volition youth created and assembled bookmarks to distribute to English teachers to give away during Red Ribbon Week
• Coalition Volunteers had a table at the October 13th football game where we distributed free red ribbons to community members inviting them to display it on a tree in their yard during Red Ribbon Week. We also gave away a punch of candy with "tobacco tricks not treats" messaging to game attendees! Students were also able to use our snapchat filter during the game! 
• A door decorating contest was held at the Middle School, and Mrs. Fassbender's class was our first place winner of a pizza party!
• Red Ribbons were hung at city hall October 23-31st and our imitative was up on the city webpage

Way to go Franklin!

Adult Health and Wellness Day: September 27, 2017

Adult Health and Wellness Day is a health fair geared towards older adults within Franklin. The coalition had a table at the event. At the table, information was distributed about the coalition and a medication drop off was offered and reached over 500 individuals.

• Information was shared on the drug drop box
• A hand out with what can and cannot be put in the drug drop box at the police department was distributed as well as plastic baggies to limit barriers in dropping off prescriptions.

Two Franklin Police Officers volunteered their time with the coalition to collect medication at this event.

• Seven cardboard boxes of prescription medications were collected and disposed of appropriately by the Franklin Police Department

National Night Out: July 31, 2017

National Night Out is a Franklin community event to focus attention on crime prevention, personal safety, and various services provided by businesses in the Franklin area. Volition reached over 400 individuals with coalition messaging and resources.We had a table at the annual National Night Out event at the Franklin Public Library.

Chalk Art Contest

Prior to the event the coalition hosted their first Chalk Art Contest encouraging participants to draw prevention messages which were judged on two main criteria 1. Creativity, 2. Messaging. The contest was advertised by hanging a flyer at many local businesses.

The winner (judged by a Volition Franklin member) won a prize. The winner was announced on a white board at the coalition’s table, and the participant received their prize the night of the event.

Flyers

During National Night Out, Volition Franklin handed out a flyer of where residents could drop off their unused prescription pain medications, and what could and could not go in the dropbox.

Survey

Coalition members also collected information utilizing a one page survey in regards to perception of alcohol in Franklin. Surveys were administered by coalition volunteers to any individual who came near the Volition table. 

On this entry sheet individuals also had the option to select if they would like to be added to the coalition mailing list, and had 37 individuals added to the mailing list from this event.

Games

The coalition volunteers also facilitated a game “Duck Away From Underage Drinking” and received a price which was a dose of reality cup ,a dum dum lollypop that had a messaged on a sticker “don’t be a sucker for underage drinking” and/or a Marquette Basketball player card with Opioid facts on one side.

Outdoor Movie Night: June 16, 2017

The Outdoor Movie Night was an event cohosted with the Franklin Health Department free of charge to attendees. The event started at 7:30pm with games being offered, and the film beginning at dusk around 9:00pm. There were nearly 100 individuals who attended. Attendees were given a survey to fill out regarding the event, and surveys were then collected.

This was Volition Franklin’s first fundraising effort. A coalition volunteer facilitated the 50/50 raffle. The event also offered a great opportunity to talk with community members, discuss Volition Franklin, and spread the word about the coalition. A huge thank you to Marcus theaters donated popcorn for the event.

AAA also donated  their time to attend the event. They had a table with resources about driving under the influence, provided “drunk goggled” to see how driving impaired can affect one’s ability to be safe, as well as provided a quick introduction and presentation prior to the start of the film.

Parents Who Host Lose the Most: May 30, 2017 & June 10, 2017

Parents Who Host Lose the Most is a public awareness program educating communities and parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties. Approximately 700 community members were reached.

For the 2017 Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign, Volition Franklin completed to main projects: A sticker shock campaign and car canvasing at graduation.

STICKER SHOCK
May 30, 2017

• Student volunteers went to a local alcohol retailer, and completed a sticker shock project, putting stickers drawing attention to the campaign on alcohol packaging. 350 stickers were placed on alcohol boxes.
• A survey was also administered at the alcohol retailer to gather data on the awareness campaign. Individuals who walked into the area where alcohol was sold were approached with survey, verbally administered
• Parents Who Host information flyers were left near the alcohol area of the establishment

GRADUATION
June 10, 2017

Coalition members canvased cars parked in the parking lot at the Franklin High School Graduation. The flyers on each car educated on tips to protect children and educate about teen parties. Over 275 flyers were left on cars in the parking lot.