MISSION AND MEMBERSHIP

Revere CARES (Community Awareness, Resources, and Education to Prevent Substance Abuse) is a community coalition committed to the reduction of substance use among Revere’s youth.  The Revere CARES philosophy grew out of the basic tenets and lessons of the Healthy Communities movement. 

• The challenge of substance use can best be solved at the community level by changing the environment and community norms within which Revere youth make choices about tobacco, drinking and drugs. 
• The whole community must be engaged and feel ownership of the substance use problem. Only by working together toward a shared vision with a specific action plan can long-term change be achieved. 
• Efforts must build on the many strengths of the community to reduce the risk factors and increase the protective factors related to substance use. 

The Coalition uses research-based strategies including education, counseling and community action to build resiliency among youth.  In this context, resiliency refers to the set of characteristics in young people that enable them to make healthy choices and avoid substance use and other health risk behaviors.  Research has shown that youth can become more resilient as a result of such factors as success in school, a significant relationship with a parent or caregiver, a significant relationship with another adult member of their school or community, and/or involvement in community service.  The Revere CARES program works to support and strengthen all these factors.

The Revere CARES program components are based on the belief that a community that works together to send clear and consistent messages about substance abuse to teens, offers positive alternative activities, and makes appropriate services available can reduce alcohol and drug use among youth.    The Coalition measures its success not only by indicators of substance use, but also in terms of community change that is sustainable for the long term. 

The Coalition numbers 694 with 307 active members and includes a growing and diverse group of community members, including:

Financial support for Revere CARES is provided by  MGH Community Benefits and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Drug Free Communities Program.  The Coalition is staffed by a Director, Assistant Director, and Parent and a Parent and Youth Coordinator.  The numerous Revere CARES activities are actually accomplished by the participating organizations and community at large, reflecting their commitment to a comprehensive and sustained effort to reduce substance use among the youth of their community.

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