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.
The Benefits of Volunteering:
Building a Better Henry County,
One Volunteer At a Time!
Volunteering is more than a kind gesture; it’s a powerful force for personal and community transformation. When individuals dedicate their time and skills to causes they care about, the benefits ripple far beyond the moment of service.
For volunteers, the rewards are substantial. Giving back builds real-world skills such as leadership, communication, and project management, experiences that can enhance job prospects and career growth. Volunteering also supports better mental and physical health by reducing stress, boosting happiness, and fostering a strong sense of purpose. Just as importantly, it helps people expand their social networks, form meaningful relationships, and feel more connected to their community.
For communities, the impact is profound. Volunteers fill critical gaps by supporting services like education, food access, healthcare, and housing, often reaching populations that need it most. Their efforts strengthen the social fabric, create support networks, and enhance resilience in times of crisis. Volunteer-driven initiatives also advocate for equity, environmental justice, and systemic change, amplifying voices and creating pathways for long-term improvement.
On a broader scale, volunteering encourages civic engagement and drives innovation. It invites people to step into leadership roles, work across differences, and build inclusive, thriving communities. Whether in-person or virtually, through a local food pantry or a global outreach project, every volunteer effort matters.
At its core, volunteering is about building a better world together. For those who serve and those who receive, the impact is lasting. When you volunteer, you don’t just help, you heal, connect, empower, and transform. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/4jx33c9a
A CALL TO ACTION
This summer, LIVE Coalition members are hitting the streets! Instead of our usual meetings, we’ll be out in the community, volunteering at local events to connect with residents and share our mission.
We’re counting on your support! Keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer opportunities and consider signing up to help us make a meaningful impact.
Together, we can build a healthier Henry County!
Please see volunteer button at the end of this newsletter which will take you to available volunteer opportunities.
Partnering For Prevention:
LIVE & Middletown Police Unite
The LIVE Coalition is proud to partner with the Middletown Police Department for this year’s Middletown Bike Rodeo, happening Saturday, June 28 from 10 AM–2 PM at the Middletown Police Department. This family-friendly event will feature free bike giveaways, safety activities, and a chance for youth to engage with local law enforcement in a fun, positive setting.
Thanks to a generous $300 contribution from Henry Community Health, we’re also able to provide free helmets to children and families in attendance. Helmet safety plays a vital role in reducing injury and promoting active, healthy lifestyles, and we’re grateful to help make that possible for our community.
This event reflects LIVE’s ongoing commitment to promoting youth health, safety, and positive community connections. We hope to see you there!
Emily’s Corner!
Insights & Updates from Emily’s Desk
Our STOP ACT Grant summer campaign, “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most,” highlights the risks associated with parents providing alcohol to underage youth. It emphasizes the potential for legal consequences, health risks, and damage to reputation for parents who host parties where underage drinking occurs. This campaign is aimed at increasing awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and encouraging parents to send a unified message against it. Statistically, teens who drink before turning 15 years are 6.7 times as likely to develop alcohol use disorder later in life. Underage drinking just isn’t okay. In fact, early alcohol exposure can interrupt critical brain development including the ability to learn new things, memory formation, impulse control, and emotional maturity. Thankfully, most people support the legal drinking age of 21and agree that it is unacceptable to give someone else’s child alcohol!
We are also in the beginning stages of our fall campaign, “Protect Your Game.” I am meeting with county athletic directors to share this program for substance-free athletics. On the average, 60% of high school students play a sport of some kind. It is our goal to reduce under-age substance use through common understanding and education that will empower our athletes to make wise and healthy choices.
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer in our prevention efforts, please email Emily at: [email protected]
Updates from LIVE Staff
May Highlights: LIVE Coalition in Action
May was a productive month for the LIVE Coalition as our team stayed active in the community focusing on prevention, education, and supporting youth.
LIVE wrapped up Too Good For Drugs program with all of the 2nd grade classrooms throughout Henry County reinforcing our commitment to early prevention education. It was a pleasure providing this education to the children in Henry County. Overall, the feedback has been positive. There will be a debrief meeting on June 10 to discuss the successes, challenges and the future of the “Too Good For Drugs Program.” If you’re interested in being trained to teach this program during the upcoming school year, please contact Shay Bex at: [email protected]
Subcommittees focused on alcohol, tobacco, and mental health/suicide prevention met to provide updates, plan upcoming initiatives, and discuss new strategies to strengthen our community support efforts. The mental health committee will be hosting a Senior Cafe at the Henry County Senior Center in July. More to come on that next month!
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 contact Shay or Miranda at: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].
Thank you to all who contribute to LIVE’s mission. Together, we are making a difference in Henry County!
LIVE VAPE FREE 2025
Catch My Breath Training
LIVE has discussed the Catch My Breath program in previous newsletters. To recap, Catch My Breath is a youth vaping prevention program developed by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Designed for students in grades 5–12, the program aims to reduce and prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents through evidence-based education.
Key features of Catch My Breath:
Curriculum-Based: Includes lessons aligned with national health education standards, focusing on the dangers of vaping and nicotine addiction.
Peer-Led Approach: Encourages student engagement through peer-to-peer learning and interactive activities.
Health-Focused Messaging: Emphasizes the short- and long-term health risks of e-cigarette use, including addiction and lung damage.
Flexible Delivery: Available in digital and print formats, making it easy to implement in classrooms, after-school programs, or community settings.
Overall, Catch My Breath empowers students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure related to vaping.
Training is Open to Anyone! Whether you work directly with youth or simply want to better understand vaping prevention, training only takes a few hours of your time. If you’re interested in becoming a certified trainer and delivering the Catch My Breath program to schools, civic groups, or community organizations, please contact:
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in the United States were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver the news and enforce the end of slavery.
Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. It honors the struggles and achievements of Black Americans and encourages reflection, education, and celebration of African American culture and history.
Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday and is observed across the country with parades, gatherings, music, and community events.
Lightkeepers of Henry County will be celebrating Juneteenth on Saturday, June 21, 2025
Staff Spotlight: Talesa Howell
The Strategist Behind LIVE’s Digital Growth
Talesa Howell – Turning Challenge into Impact
Talesa Howell brings purpose, passion, and innovation to her role as LIVE’s Social Media Specialist. Tasked with growing LIVE’s digital presence, Talesa leads the development of strategic, mission-driven campaigns that amplify awareness around substance use prevention, mental health, and suicide prevention. Her work helps connect the community to vital resources in a meaningful and accessible way.
One of her most impactful contributions has been the creation of LIVE’s new website. In collaboration with Shay Bex, Director of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Talesa designed and built a comprehensive, interactive platform that serves as a central hub for community education and support, making it easier than ever for individuals to find the help and information they need.
Outside of her role with LIVE, Talesa serves as the Data Quality Manager at Step Up Inc., a nonprofit focused on community health. Her professional path has included freelance work for a nonprofit supporting correctional staff, as well as serving as Webmaster and Program Manager for the Indiana Department of Correction. Her work across these roles reflects her unwavering commitment to service, impact, and excellence.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies with a focus on Analytics and Theology, Talesa plans to continue her academic journey with a Master’s in AI and Analytics. Her passion is driven by two powerful forces: creating social change and providing for her family.
Talesa is a proud single mother of three, one son and two daughters, and the youngest and only girl among three older brothers. Her family is the source of her strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication.
Talesa’s personal journey is a testament to resilience. During one of the most difficult chapters of her life, she enrolled in a pilot web development program while incarcerated, learning full-stack development without internet access. That experience sparked a transformation, instilling the confidence and purpose that now fuels her work.
She lives by the belief that adversity builds strength, mistakes are learning opportunities, and communities thrive when we all contribute. For Talesa, success isn’t defined by accolades, it’s defined by the impact we make on others. Her work with LIVE is not just a job; it’s a mission that brings her life meaning and helps others find hope.
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!
