Adult and Youth Coalitions

Join Us! (Membership Application)  
Why Volunteer?

One of the objectives of the coalition is to serve as a catalyst for increased citizen participation and greater collaboration among the social and service organizations in the community.

The Coalition chose this strategy because regardless of their specific affiliations, members of these organizations are in a strategic position to enhance existing prevention approaches and have a positive effect on community-planned responses to substance use.

Sharing resources will facilitate the accomplishment of the coalition’s goals. The coalition in partnership with other community organizations will implement a variety of outreach-oriented prevention and intervention strategies to help youth avoid substance abuse and initiate behavioral lifestyle changes.  

Community capacity building will involve residents of Warren County in a collective effort that will empower them to make a positive difference to the capacity and skills of the members of our community.

Our goal is for coalition members to have the opportunity to learn through experience and gain confidence in their own abilities and their ability to influence decisions that affect Warren County. 

The Make-A-Promise Coalition is comprised of community stakeholders that help youth avoid problem behaviors and become healthy, productive citizens. The Coalition communicates healthy beliefs and clear standards in all areas of a young person’s life – at home, at school, and in the community.

The coalition has developed a vision for the future of our community’s children and disseminates this vision through various media sources. By bringing together a diverse community, a shared vision and a collaborative effort, this project will bring about needed changes.  

This collaboration began with the selection of resource people who have the experience in addressing community issues. They have proven that they have the authority and power to influence change and the drive and enthusiasm for keeping the momentum going.

The members will continue to seek all types of persons, groups and social structures likely to be affected by the drug abuse issue and willing to tackle the problems in our community. The coalition will build upon existing efforts and will work to create strong relationships with persons and agencies who share concern of the youth of our community.  Because of the emphasis on equipping people to be better able to do things for themselves, suitable activities will involve: 

• Working with members of the community;

• Providing support and assistance

• Developing structures to co-operate

• Providing advice and support for evaluation of projects

• Nurturing networking and the sharing of experiences for learning

• Enabling groups to consolidate and build upon existing skills.

Why Volunteer?:  The Benefits of Volunteering

When you join an anti-drug coalition, you create a positive effect on many levels. Not only do you help keep youths off drugs, you make a difference in your community and in your life as well.

The change you see in the lives of youths may be the most obvious, but consider the benefits to your community: you’ll generate anti-drug awareness, change attitudes and clean up neighborhoods; you’ll make our community safer for everyone within it; and you’ll inspire others to make a difference.  

There are many personal benefits for you, too. You’ll get to know your neighbors and community leaders. You’ll make new friends who have a wide range of interests, hobbies, occupations, and skills. However you choose to help – doing something you already enjoy or trying something new – you’ll have fun. Best of all, you’ll feel good about yourself as you help others to succeed.

Start seeing the benefits today. Join the MAKE A PROMISE Coalition and find out you can make a positive impact on everyone.  

Michael Abraham
Liesel Anderton
Kim Hall
Anne Nelson
Synette Hayden
Jeanine Hanks
Warren-Yazoo Mental Health

Minister Michelle King
New Beginnings Ministry

Maryam Aziz
Warren Co. Drug Court 
Program Director

Dean Anderson
SADD and Parent Resource

Ron Anderson
WBBV River 101

Lyn Baker
Porter’s Chapel Academy

Fr. Patrick Farrell
St. Paul Catholic Church

Dr. Susan Chiarito
Healthcare Professional

Jimmy Clark
Vicksburg Post    

Leigh Cook
Rick Vessell
Behavioral Health Foundation
of Central MS, Inc. 

Mike Curtis
Bancorp South

Casey Custer
YMCA 

Mary Galtney
Youth Services City of Vicksburg 

Barry Graham
RCTV 23, City of Vicksburg 

Donna Hardy
Parent Resource

Gary Haygood
Vicksburg Post

Ms. Kashan Haynes-Lofton
Warren County Youth Court

Bill Holzmann
Johnny Reynold
Michael McMillan
River Region Health Systems

Patty Mekus
Drug Free Communities Program

Dpty. Chief Richard O’Bannon
Vicksburg Police Department

Sheriff Martin Pace
Warren County Sheriff’s Department

Tammi Sims
A Partnership for a Healthy 
Warren & Claiborne Counties

Lee Ann Stuart
9th District Court

Officer Daniel Harris
Officer Trina Naylor
Warren County Drug Court

Judge Frank Vollor
Warren County Circuit Court

Sharon Frazier
Warren County Youth Court

Dr. Andrew Harrell
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

Rev. Bruce Wilkes
Youth Minister, First Baptist Church