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New Bedford Prevention Partnership
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Improving the Quality of Life in New Bedford through Prevention
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Welcome to the
New Bedford Prevention Partnership
Serving the New Bedford area since 1991. The Partnership's mission is to improve the quality of our neighborhoods by promoting prevention and treatment initiatives related to substance abuse, violence and crime.
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New Bedford Prevention Partnership
360 Coggeshall Street, New Bedford, MA 02746
PO Box 3012, New Bedford, MA 02741
508-979-1580
508-991-6233 Fax
nbprevpart@aol.com
Carl J. Alves, Executive Director
Lisa Birknes-Tavares, Asst. Director & Youth Court Director
Youth Programming Coordinators
Tony Branco
Terri Swanson
Alex Colon
Neighborhoods United
Suzanne Braga
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New Bedford Prevention Partnership
The mission of the New Bedford Prevention Partnership is to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods by promoting prevention and treatment initiatives related to substance abuse, violence and crime.
The New Bedford Prevention Partnership ( formerly the Mayor's Drug Free Community Partnership) was originally formed in September of 1990 under a demonstration grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention in Washington D.C.. The City of New Bedford was one of 252 cities across the country awarded federal monies to reduce the demand for alcohol and other drugs within their communities. In March of 1996, the federal funding supporting the Partnership came to an ended. The group was determined to continue their prevention work, so they developed a private not-for-profit organization called the New Bedford Prevention Partnership. Because of the major reduction in funding, the Partnership sought support from the City, private foundations and donations, they also developed a significant volunteer base and a developed a workplan directed by its volunteer membership.
The Partnership assists collaborations between community members, parents, educators, treatment providers, health professionals, prevention experts, law enforcement officials, clergy, government and civic leaders, and local business leaders. These dedicated residents are renewing their commitment to the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, violence, the spread of HIV, gang involvement, teen pregnancy and crime. New Bedford faces a period of change and residents are uniting to ensure that it is a time of positive change and commitment to a healthy community.
Our Neighborhoods are the cornerstone of the Partnership's grass-roots efforts and of its membership. These volunteers along with other committee members will determine the community's needs. Then they will plan, execute and evaluate the effects of five prevention strategies:
* changing social policy
* providing alternative activities
* training impactors
* teaching life skills
* educating the public and promoting drug abuse awareness
We are fortunate to have three very effective committees to carry out our mission, they are: Neighborhoods United, INSIGHT Youth Services, Education & Treatment Network and most recently coordinating the New Bedford Youth Court efforts.
Neighborhoods United
Objective: to develop and implement neighborhood-based activities designed to reduce the prevalence of substance abuse and increase the community's awareness of the many resources available to the community.
INSIGHT Youth Services
Objective: to expand and maintain its drug abuse awareness campaign to include involvement from private and public schools, faith communities, local businesses, neighborhood associations and resident councils.
Treatment Network
Objective: to provide educational forums and other initiatives that strengthen linkages between prevention, education, outreach, and treatment programs and the community.
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