August 29, 2019
AmerisourceBergen Foundation Supports Youth by Addressing Opioid Epidemic Through Education, Advocacy and Community-Building
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – Today,
the AmerisourceBergen Foundation (the
Foundation), an independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization
dedicated to supporting health-related causes, announced it has partnered
with more than 20 organizations to help prevent and curb the harmful effects of
prescription drug misuse, especially among youth. Through the Foundation’s
Opioid Resource Grant Program, several youth-based organizations will receive the
necessary funding to support their prevention initiatives focused on education,
youth advocacy, and community-building.
“Adolescence
can often be a critical at-risk period for substance misuse. The
AmerisourceBergen Foundation recognizes the importance of intervening at an
early stage and investing in prevention efforts that build resiliency skills
and reduce risk factors among youth,” said Gina Clark, President of the
AmerisourceBergen Foundation. “We believe working with community organizations
to advance their programs can significantly influence the knowledge, attitudes,
and beliefs of our children, and ultimately, impact their decision-making
during this important prevention window.”
The
Foundation selected several organizations with innovative education programs
that help young adults avoid or stop substance misuse though safe disposal
tools and proven school curriculums, including EVERFI’s Prescription Drug
Safety, a digital learning program for high school students, and the Red Cliff
Wellness Curriculum, a program designed to prevent alcohol and substance abuse
in youth within a Native cultural context throughout the United States. Funding
will also help implement training prevention activities that mitigate risk
factors, including drug refusal skills and effective communication strategies and
expand access to education programs designed to enhance protective factors and meet
the needs of diverse youth populations. To advance education programming for
youth, the Foundation will collaborate with organizations including:
- Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition
- Amistades Inc.
- Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
Young adults can personally relate to the same struggles and experiences as their peers, making them a critical player in substance abuse prevention. To continue to positively impact youth, the Foundation will provide additional grants to help train teens on mentoring, peer prevention messages, resistance techniques, and community engagement in order to become true advocates for healthy living. The Foundation will support youth advocacy programs in partnership with:
- Young People in Recovery
- Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County
In addition to peer support, members of our youth can also find guidance in their community. Community support – whether at home, school or in public – can instill a sense of confidence in youth and reduce the chances of substance misuse. Additional grants will provide training and education opportunities for family members, local residents, and community stakeholders to make informed decisions on their health. Some programs will also help extend community support by increasing access to mental health professionals within schools and communities. For these community-building initiatives, the Foundation will support institutions such as:
- Hampton Roads Community Action Program, Inc.
- Youth First, Inc. of Indiana
- Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education Inc. of Tuscaloosa
Under the
guidance and expertise of two External Advisory Committees (EAC), the selected
grantees are part of the Foundation’s second giving cycle for fiscal year 2019.
This year, the Foundation has collaborated with more than 50 community-based
organization across both grant-giving cycles to help prevent opioid misuse and
promote safe disposal. The Opioid Resource Grant Program has received an
overwhelming amount of interest from nonprofit organizations seeking a
meaningful partner who will help support their community initiatives and
strengthen their impact on opioid prevention. For more information about the
AmerisourceBergen Foundation and how to apply for the next grant-giving cycle,
please visit https://www.amerisourcebergen.com/foundation.
About the
AmerisourceBergen Foundation
The AmerisourceBergen Foundation is an
independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization established by
AmerisourceBergen Corporation to support health-related causes that enrich that
global community. The Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of
its patient populations – both human and animal – by investing in its
communities. Through strategic partnerships and community collaboration, the
Foundation works to expand access to quality healthcare and provide resources
to ensure prescription drug safety. For more information, visit https://www.amerisourcebergen.com/foundation.