Community Dinner Parenting Event

Volition Franklin, in partnership with Southbrook Church, hosted a free community dinner parenting event. This event brought together community members, including parents and children for an hour long presentation from the Parenting Network centered on healthy families and using meal time as a catalyst for family bonding and conversation. The speaker from the Parenting Network shared tips and activities parents and families could take back to their own homes to utilize as bonding tools.

Volition Franklin collaborated with local restaurants to provide a meal at no cost to all attendees. Crossroads donated pans of salad and dressing, Michaelangelos donated pans of mostaccioli, and Mimosa donated the dessert for the evening!

Forest Park Back to School Days, Resource Table

Volition Franklin had a resource table in the lobby of the school during the Forest Park Middle School back to school days on August 20-22!

Over the course of the three back to school days our table hosted information on our Volition Franklin Youth club at the Middle School and a signup sheet for new members- which had a great response.

Additionally, our “know the facts” educational sheets were available for people to take on the topics of vaping, underage drinking, prescription medication misuse, and marijuana.

Volition Franklin adult and youth offered free root beer floats to anyone who was interested with our new Volition Franklin color changing cups!

VOLITION FRANKLIN YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Volition Franklin hosted a Youth Leadership Summit with goals for participants to strengthen and learn leadership skills within the domains of advocacy, resume building, positive peer influence and community involvement.

The Youth Summit allowed High School aged youth in Franklin to become more acquainted with advocacy issues they care about, prepare for professional success, and become more confident in a leadership role. Different activities were completed throughout the three hour training, and Volition Franklin hosted a guest speaker, the City of Franklin Director of Administration, who spoke about how leadership skills influence ones future.

FRANKLIN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT RESOURCE TABLE

Volition Franklin hosted an education resource table at the Franklin National Night Out. Both adult and youth Volition Franklin members volunteered at the event educating about the “true cost of underage drinking”.

Information about the coalition was distributed as well as fact sheets on underage drinking. Volition Youth ran an interactive activity to encourage youth participation and learning. The activity consisted of a poster with statistics on how underage drinking affects the Franklin community. Participants had the opportunity to lift pictures of a park, school, bank, police car, gas station, hospital house, and car.

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!