madd.org/southwestfl
facebook.com/MADDSWFL
COMMUNITY HEROES LOCAL AND STATE-WIDE For over 38 years, MADD knows that a crucial element of end- ing drunk, drugged and substance-impaired driving is the law enforcement, first responders, prosecutors and community members. We, here at MADD, regard these folks and their families as Community Heroes . Throughout the United States, we host local Recognition Cere- monies where we announce top nomination honorees and cele- brate those who are nominated. In the state of Florida, we have a unique opportunity to recognize our Community Heroes at events hosted by our local offices as well as at a state-wide event. In Southwest Florida, we celebrate law enforcement, breath tech operators, first responders, prosecutors, nonprofits, volun- teers and others who help our community with this public health issue through a nomination process and event.
To nominate a Community Hero , visit madd.org/swflnominate . All local nominations are sent to the state-wide event .
In This Issue
All nominees and their families are invited to the local SWFL event at jetBlue Park which features family-fun activities, bat- ting practice on our very own Major League Baseball Field and the grand finale – the recognition ceremony. As well, all nomi- nees will be invited to the state-wide event which features valu- able training plenaries.
Law Enforcement Recognition
Being Resilient
STATE-WIDE EVENT
LOCAL SWFL EVENT
Interns & Movie Nights
July 27-28
September 14
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
jetBlue Park, Fort Myers
2018 By The Numbers
Recognition Ceremony—July 27
Recognition Ceremony—5pm
Training Plenaries—July 27 & 28
Family Fun—2pm—5pm
By Courtney A. Faunce, M.A., Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern IMH 16553
We live in a world where we have access to information with a click of a button. Solutions to everyday problems are met with “There is an app for that.” Our days are scheduled to the mi- nute, our lives are planned step by step, and time is our greatest currency. With all of this ac- cess and freedom to choose, is there possibly an illusion that we are safe from tragedy? In hindsight, is there always something we could have done differently? There are moments in our lives we simply cannot explain and more so difficult to fully under- stand. When we experience loss and the overwhelming burden of tragedy, the physical damage can sometimes be a fraction of the pain we feel. After trauma, there is no one size fits all reme- dy to this pain and no google search that will provide relief. As a mental health counselor, I can tell you sometimes the answers you are looking for are not exactly clear, apparent, or easily prescribed. A traumatic event is an occurrence that is deeply distressing and according to the American Psychiatric Association, an event(s) that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others, and which involved fear, helplessness, or horror. It is important to understand that we individually experience a traumatic event, meaning my experience will be different from the next person. So if there were 5 people who were there at the same exact time, the same event will have created 5 different experiences. Some may walk away unscathed while others will need time for recovery. This is also one of the reasons why being a victim can be extremely isolating and lonely. It can be difficult to receive help when we know no one else experienced what you have experienced. So what defines trauma? When we have been affected, hurt, damaged, heinously beaten down, dream shattered… what happens when we become the victim?
Sometimes we may even refuse to be labeled as a victim as this word conveys a sense of loss or weakness. We may deny our trauma altogether in fear that to admit being a victim would mean that is who we really are; helpless.
It is my belief that, we as humans cannot avoid tragedy. We cannot control every aspect of our lives no matter how advanced we as a society become. The essence of our being is our ability to adapt to negative change and to find peace after tragedy.
Clinically, the term is Trauma Resiliency. The healing process requires us to choose what we do with our pain and what we make of our lives. This choice is made every day and sometimes one minute to the next. Like a muscle in our bodies, we exercise this choice to regain strength. When we are resilient after trauma, we own our stories and we choose hope over fear. I am writing to tell you, there is life after loss. There is peace and meaning in this world, you will find purpose, and you will be the author of your narrative. Being a victim is a momentary label used to solidify, “Yes, I have experienced unavoidable tragedy.” The moments in your life after “I was a victim” will be your decision.
We love our volunteer interns! Most semesters, we have volunteer in- terns who further MADD’s mission in the community in a variety of ways. Our recent round of interns helped with a marketing-communication strategy as well as an editorial calendar for 2018. During the develop- ment process, our interns started a conversation regarding creative fundraising and capacity building opportunities. They concluded that outdoor family movie nights would help to raise much needed funds and as well, continue to bring awareness regarding how families can affect how a community feels about drinking and driving. So, they developed a proposal with cost analysis, projected revenue, awareness opportuni- ties and marketing tactics. To improve projected revenue, they found an anonymous donor who donated a 14-foot outdoor screen along with a popcorn machine, a cot- ton candy machine and beverages needed for a full movie experience. The first outdoor family movie night was held on April 21st and featured the movie ‘Cars 3’. It was a resounding success as measured by movie- goer feedback.
THE NEXT FAMILY OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT IS ON JUNE 23RD.
VOTE FOR THE MOVIE ON OUR MADDSWFL FACEBOOK PAGE.
VOTING CLOSES ON MAY 31ST SO VOTE SOON!
“It’s important that our outdoor movie nights are family-friendly. By making MADD a family-friendly name, we will end drunk, drugged and substance-impaired driving because the conversation and planning for a designated driver or as a designated rider will be commonplace”, states Program Director, Lori Burke.
We hope you will vote for our next family-themed movie and attend! We promise it will be fun!
MADD SWFL: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades
BY THE NUMBERS MADD SWFL
2018 OUTREACH
JANUARY - APRIL
31 Officers supported at sobriety checkpoints & wolfpacks
126 Law enforcement/ community recognition nominations
2018
May: Local LEO Super Hero Celebration and Family Day Cancelled/postponed to 9/14
42 Walk Like MADD & 5K DASH registrations
June: Outdoor Family Movie Night
June: Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition Leadership Conference
July: Florida State Law Enforcement Recognition Symposium
0 Tie One On For Safety Ribbons Displayed
September: Law Enforcement Training
September: Local Law Enforcement and Community Recognition-resched.
September: Walk Like MADD SWFL
928 Volunteer Hours
October: Power of You(th) Blitz
November: Tie One On For Safety Launch
December: A Tribute Event
354 DUI Offenders educated
Every Month: Grief Groups, Prevention Presentations, Victim Impact Panels in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties, MADD Advisory Board Meetings & Volunteer Orienta- tions
424 People educated through MADD Community Presentations
Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our services and programs— all free to the SWFL community. MADD SWFL 13130 Westlinks Terrace Suite 8 Fort Myers, FL 33913 (239)791-7560 southwest.fl@madd.org
2,116 Parents & youth educat- ed through Power of Par- ents and Power of Youth Presentations
2,378 Visitors at Tabling Events
Visit us on the web at madd.org/southwestfl
MADD SWFL #NoMoreVictims
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