Together we can make a difference
21 Reasons -- Portland is guided by a Steering Committee made up of community members and organizational representatives, and is supported by a broad base of community volunteers. Our two grassroots Action Teams are actively working in three areas:
Changing community norms, especially adult attitudes, to support alcohol-free expectations for underage youth.
Reducing alcohol availability & accessibility to youth.
Increasing enforcement of underage drinking, furnishing, and hosting laws.
Our 2011-2012 Steering Committee members:
Susan Steele, Committee Chair, coordinator, Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Portland Public School District
Officer Ray Ruby, Committee Vice Chair, Portland Police Department
Caroline Raymond, Committee Chair, Program Manager, Day One
Sergeant Andrew Hutchings, Portland Police Department
Amanda Edgar, Community Health Promotion Specialist, City of Portland HHS, Public Health Division
Dr. Kolawole Bankole, Minority Health Promotion Specialist, Minority Health Program, City of Portland
Joanne West, Assistant Program Manager, Day One
Jim Bourque, Vice President, Nappi Distributors
Leslie LaFrance, Education Program Manager, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine
Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, Director of Educational Excellence, Learning Works
Soni Waterman, Director, Youth Building Alternatives, Learning Works
Stephanie Duggan, Coordinator of Diversion and Rehabilitation Programs, District Attorney’s Office
Christine Thibeault, Assistant District Attorney, Chief, Juvenile Division
Dr. Ellen Popenoe, Maine Medical Partners Pediatric Specialty Care
Bruce Koharian, Portland Public Schools
Mary Greenvall, Program Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine
Abby Hudson, Student, Portland High School
Tom Handel, Executive Director, Community Television Network
Sister Patricia Pora, Director, Hispanic Ministry, RC Diocese of Portland
Click here for more information on our 2011-2012 Steering Committee!
Tentative Steering Committee Meeting Dates for 2011-2012 September 28 October 26 November 30
January 25
February 22
March 28
April 25
May 23
June 27
Action Teams:Action Teams are largely made up of community volunteers and steering committee members. For action team meeting dates, email Jo Morrissey at jmorrissey@mcd.org
Public Education Action Team is dedicated to changing community norms, especially adult attitudes, with the goal to foster an environment that supports alcohol-free expectations for underage youth. Projects are carried out by a variety of community partners including parents, media outlets, and other coalition members. Projects include a parental monitoring campaign to educate parents on what they can do to reduce their children’s risk, reduce youth exposure to alcohol advertising, and educate young adults on the risks of underage or high risk drinking. Other projects include raising the awareness of positive adult role modeling and mentoring.
Policy/Enforcement Action Team works to reduce youth access to alcohol through strong policy and enforcement of underage drinking, furnishing, and hosting laws. Projects are carried out in partnership with the Portland Police Department, Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, Department of Corrections, and Cumberland County Underage Drinking Enforcement Task Force. Projects include partnering with alcohol retailers to increase customer awareness of the penalties and costs of furnishing alcohol to minors, increase training for servers and clerks, increase carding, and place alcohol in locations less accessible to youth. This team was formed when the Enforcement Action Team and the Access Action Team joined forces in the fall of 2007.
