Key Accomplishments

Our major accomplishment thus far has been creating a working collaboration of over 100 community partners and establishing the teams needed to further our important efforts.

With funding from the Alton Weed & Seed Strategy, beginning in 2003, the Alton Youth Development Strategy has worked to build a broad collaboration of local, state and federal partners.   In addition to the overall efforts relative to substance abuse, AYDSP uses results from the 2004 Communities that Care survey to continue to guide our efforts.

We believe the collaboration among the many community partners provides the foundation needed to enhance prevention planning for our youth.  The AYDSP also believes that this collaboration and coordination, in association with the use of data-driven, research-based prevention efforts reduces the risk factors identified in the Communities That Care Survey and further enhances the identified protective factors. 

Alton joined forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “23rd Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and was co-sponsored locally by several organizations including, the Alton Police, Alton Weed and Seed Strategy, YWCA, Oasis and ND Management.  It involved over 10,000 communities from all 50 state, U.S. territories, Canadian cites and military bases around the world. In all, an estimated 34 million people participated in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’. NNO 2006 was being supported in part by the Target Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

The night before, on July 31st, 2006 there was a National Night Out Kick-Off celebration on the grounds of Saint Claire’s Hospital.  The Alton Youth Development Strategy Partnership took part in the evening festivities by hosting a booth along with various other organizations.  Several area dignitaries spoke at the event, food, games for children and educational materials and demonstrations were available to attendees.

The development of a social norms media campaign, parenting program and server training program are all important steps to reduce underage drinking.  You can read more about them under the “Steps to achieve our goals” section.