Prevention spotlight: Soap Lake Prevention Coalition and Quincy Partnership for Youth

The amazing work of two Grant County CPWI coalitions - Soap Lake Prevention Coalition and Quincy Partnership for Youth - was highlighted in local media last month.

Ryan Boldman, coalition coordinator in Soap Lake, provided a thoughtful perspective after youth in the community were arrested for a cannabis shop burglary. In the Columbia Basin Herald article, Ryan is quoted as saying, “So, when situations like this arise, rather than simply condemning the offenders, shouldn’t we take a long, hard look at the environment that continues to produce them?” He urges the need to understand the 'why' of our community coalition work, and how Soap Lake is using a holistic approach to combat community issues. This human-centered approach is at the heart of coalition work.

Crystal Cruz and the Quincy Partnership for Youth coalition was profiled in the Quincy Valley Post-Register for their work in the community to decrease substance use among youth by way of their Strengthening Families Program. The current coalition president and former Strengthening Families Program participant, Maria Valle, says, "The program made a huge difference in how my son and I communicated,” showing their targeted protective factor, family communication, in action.