We’re excited to welcome all students back for a new school year full of learning, growth, and fun! As you head into the 2025-2026 school year, we want to make sure every student and family has what they need for a safe and successful year.
Whether it’s food, clothing, housing, health services, or social and mental health support, help is available! We want to share with you resource guides in Henry County that might help you access the resources you need. Simply click the link below or reach out directly for a assistance accessing the resource guides in Henry County. Feel free to contact: Miranda Wright, LIVE Coordinator, at [email protected]
Mission: To unify all members of our community in creating conditions that foster resilience, reduce substance misuse, and promote mental health and well-being. We are dedicated to preventing substance misuse and suicide through community-wide collaboration, education, and the strengthening of supportive networks for all residents.
Vision: A community free from stigma and the generational impact of substance misuse, where every individual feels supported on their journey toward a healthier, brighter future.
Updates from LIVE Staff
July Highlights: LIVE Coalition in Action
The LIVE Coalition had a full and energizing month in July, continuing our mission to promote substance use prevention and support community wellness across Henry County.
We were excited to welcome Michelle Holaday, our new TLC Grant Coordinator, who is now based at New Castle High School. Michelle brings valuable experience and a passion for supporting youth, and she’s already begun connecting students with the resources they need to thrive. See more about Michelle in our Staff Spotlight article.
Our work was also front and center at the Henry County Commissioner’s Meeting, where Susan Sailer Dwyer presented her findings from recent environmental scans of tobacco and alcohol retailers throughout New Castle.
Throughout the month, LIVE remained engaged with partners and the public. We met with the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Subcommittee to continue collaborative efforts in improving mental health resources. At the Henry County 4-H Fair, LIVE hosted an informational booth, offering materials and conversations about prevention to families and youth from across the county.
Education was a key theme in July. We hosted "Prevention 101" with Katie Wolf, a helpful and practical session introducing the basics of prevention work to those new to the field. We also connected with older adults at the Senior Café. We enjoyed a lunch from Temptations and LIVE Coordinator, Miranda Wright, gave a presentation about LIVE and how important older adults are to LIVE’s mission. We also offered a survey to participants allowing them to voice their thoughts on needs and barriers to older adults in Henry County.
In Middletown, families came out for our Bike Rodeo, where kids learned about bike safety and had fun while staying active. Meanwhile, our team attended the CADCA Mid-Year Conference in Nashville, building on best practices in coalition work and bringing back fresh ideas to strengthen our local efforts.
We wrapped up the month with two big community events: the Back-to-School Festival at the New Castle Arts Park and a Community Pool Day at Baker Aquatic Center, both well-attended and filled with great energy as families prepared for the start of the new school year.
It was a month full of connection, prevention, and progress and we’re just getting started!
LIVE members and staff continue reaching out to schools, local non-profits, businesses, and community members to promote the LIVE Coalition. If you have any ideas or suggestions, or would like us to present at an event, please feel free to reach out to us!
Thank you to all who contribute to LIVE’s mission. Together, we are making a difference in Henry County!
Officer John Pawelski, Middletown Police Department, with participants from the Bike Rodeo!
Sights from the Henry County Back-to-School Festival!
“One Last Splash” before back to school! LIVE’s Community Pool Day at Baker Aquatics!
Emily’s Corner!
Insights & Updates from Emily’s Desk
Community Engagement & Upcoming Mental Health Fair
This summer, Emily has been busy strengthening relationships with community members, local partners, and school leadership. She continues to take an active role in promoting the risks and consequences of underage drinking. She continues to collaborate with school athletic directors and administrators. Currently Emily’s priority is focusing on the LIVE Well, Be Strong Mental Health Fair!
The LIVE Coalition is gearing up for one of our most exciting upcoming events, the LIVE Well, Be Strong Mental Health Fair, happening September 4th!
This impactful event is designed to reach all seventh-grade students in Henry County, focusing on mental health education, substance use prevention, and the importance of healthy coping strategies. It's a day filled with learning, engagement, and empowerment for our youth.
One of the standout features of the fair is the Mega Brain, an incredible, walk-through inflatable brain exhibit brought in from Houston, Texas. Students will have the opportunity to explore how the brain works and discover how trauma and substance use can affect brain development and overall wellness.
But the event isn’t just for students. That evening, the fair will open to parents and community members, providing a chance for families to meet local service providers and wellness vendors, explore resources, and join in promoting a culture of mental well-being in our community.
Make sure to mark your calendars! We’re looking forward to a day that will inspire, educate, and bring our community together in support of mental health and youth wellness.
Stay tuned, more details are on the way!
If you have any questions, interested in volunteering or would like to be a vendor for this event, please email Emily at: [email protected]
Join Us for Upcoming Events!
Looking Ahead:
August 4-8 - Mooreland Fair
August 5 - Shenandoah First Day of School
August 6 - Blue River, Knightstown, New Castle, Tri First Day of School
August 11 - Too Good For Drugs Meeting with Aries
August 12 - You Thrive Coaching Call
https://tinyurl.com/bdfr9juw
August 18 - Clear the Haze - Understanding Why Youth Use
Town Hall Series #1, 5:00-6:00 @ REMC
August 21 - Alliance for Youth Monthly Meeting
September 4 - LIVE Well, Be Strong Mental Health Fair
September 8 - QPR Training, Henry Community Health, Ground Floor,
Conference Room A&B, 5p-7p.
September 15 - Clear the Haze -Breaking the Cycle: The Role of Family, School, and
Community Town Hall Series #2, 5:00-6:00 @ REMC
October 20 - Clear the Haze - Clear the Path: Solutions, Support & Taking Action
Town Hall Series #3, 5:00-6:00 @ REMC
LIVE Coalition Tobacco, Alcohol and Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Subcommittees regular meetings will begin again in September. Be on the lookout for meeting details!
Join us for QPR Training:
Important Community Announcement
The Henry County LIVE Coalition is launching an important Town Hall Series focused on youth substance use—an issue that continues to impact families and communities across our county. This series is designed to listen to the community and learn from experts, helping us better understand the root causes, challenges, and potential solutions.
Each town hall will feature a panel of guest speakers with relevant experience, education, and insight into the topic at hand. Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and contribute their perspectives on the why, how, and who behind this pressing issue.
Our goal is to gather knowledge that will inform actionable strategies to address youth substance use in Henry County. We urge community members to attend, engage, and treat this with the urgency it deserves.
Below is an outline of what to expect from the upcoming series.
CLEAR THE HAZE: A Community Call to Action on Youth Substance Use
Part 1: Behind the Buzz: Understanding Why Youth Use
Dive into the root causes of youth alcohol and vaping use, peer pressure, mental health, accessibility, and media influence. Discuss local data and trends to help families and community members understand the “why” behind the behavior.
Part 2: Breaking the Cycle: The Role of Family, School, and Community
Explore how trusted adults, schools, and support systems can intervene and make a lasting impact. Focus on prevention strategies, boundary-setting, and fostering resilience.
Part 3: Clearing the Path: Solutions, Support & Taking Action
Highlight available resources, youth-led solutions, and what the community can do next. Feature local programs, student voices, and action steps to keep the momentum going.
Please join us on August 18, September 15, and October 20 at REMC from 5:00-6:00. Snacks will be provided.
LIVE Needs You!
Volunteer!
As always, LIVE is looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping out in any of our events, please click on the link below to see what is available. Also, if there are a any events that would be a good fit for LIVE’s participation, please contact Miranda Wright at: [email protected].
2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report
The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shares findings from a nationwide annual survey of individuals aged 12 and older, capturing data on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, as well as mental health and other related health topics.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is conducted annually to provide nationally representative data on tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use; substance use disorders; mental health conditions; suicidal thoughts and behaviors; and access to treatment. The survey focuses on aged 12 and older. Findings from the 2024 NSDUH offer valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health.
As LIVE and the Henry County community continue working toward the mission of preventing and reducing substance use, especially among our youth, it’s essential that we equip ourselves with accurate, up-to-date information to guide our efforts. The NSDUH report is one valuable resource that can help us make informed decisions and implement effective, evidence-based programs. If you're interested in learning more, the full report is available at the link below. (SAMHSA.gov).
Our next full LIVE Coalition meeting will be held on September 3, 2025 at noon, at Mancinos! Lunch will be provided!
This bi-monthly meeting is an important opportunity to stay informed about LIVE’s current initiatives, share your ideas, and help shape our work moving forward. It’s also a great chance to invite others who might be interested in getting involved.
Staff Spotlight: Michelle Holaday
A Heart for Youth, A Vision for Change
Meet Michelle Holaday, the new TLC Coordinator for Teens Linked to Care (TLC), a role she’s uniquely suited for, thanks to her deep compassion, experience, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people. Through the TLC grant, the LIVE Coalition has partnered with New Castle School Corporation to place Michelle Holaday at New Castle High School, where she will serve and support students on campus.
A New Castle native and 1998 graduate of New Castle High School, Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is the mother of two adult children, a son and a daughter. Her journey into youth services has been both meaningful and intentional.
Before joining TLC, Michelle worked at the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) in Muncie, where she served as a Case Coordinator for at-risk youth. There, she managed a caseload of 17 young youth, coordinating court visits, family connections, and individualized support plans. “It was hard not to get attached,” she says, reflecting on the deep bonds she formed. Leaving that role wasn’t easy, but it confirmed something important: her heart was truly in working with youth.
Michelle’s earlier work at the Department of Correction (DOC) exposed her to the realities faced by adults who had not received the support they needed when they were younger. It was during this time that she realized the earlier we invest in youth, the greater the chance of preventing poor choices later on. She believes that when young people are given the education, tools, and consistent support they need, they are capable of making good decisions and building successful, fulfilling lives.
Michelle is based in the New Castle High School and will be serving students as the TLC Coordinator, Michelle’s role is multi-layered and focused on connecting students to critical resources, whether related to mental health, substance use, social-emotional support, or basic needs. She also works closely with the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), ensuring that teens have a voice in the programs designed to support them.
At the heart of Michelle’s work is a simple but powerful mission: to let teens know that no matter their circumstances, they have the power to make positive choices and shape their own futures.
We’re thrilled to have Michelle on the team and excited to see the impact she’ll make across Henry County.
How to Join L;VE Coalition!
Fill out our member application below! Our full coalition meets bi-monthly. Subcommittees meet monthly. Subcommittees include alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, and mental health/suicide prevention. Just let us know what you’re interested in on the form!
