What We Do
The Coalition addresses youth wellness and needs through a variety of projects and strategies and advocates for and promotes inclusivity, racial equity, and social justice to support a vibrant culture of mental health and wellness, free from substance use.
Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC)
Watertown is the lead community, working with Waltham, Belmont and Brookline, in a regional effort to reduce underage drinking and associated high risk behaviors by mobilizing the community to work together. The SAPC group is working on two strategic goals that aim to reduce youth substance use: Increase youth positive coping skills and increase perception of parental disapproval of youth use.
WYC Peer Leadership
WYC Peer Leadership allows Watertown youth the opportunity to participate in projects to promote teen wellness and to reduce substance use in a respectful environment – one that fosters racial and gender equity. They are active members engaged in all Coalition projects. Find out more>>
Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative (MOAPC)
Watertown takes part in a regional effort with Cambridge, Somerville and Everett to bring best practices in opioid overdose prevention to our community. Efforts include: enhancing access to Naloxone (Narcan), raising awareness about the Drug Take Back Box at Watertown Police Department, sharing information about nonmedical use of prescription drugs, and sharing information to decrease stigma related to mental health issues including substance use disorders.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
The YRBS is used to collect and explore high-risk and protective behaviors of adolescents. The results assist the WYC in responding to a range of youth-focused issues and serve as the foundation for community-wide prevention efforts. Results are compiled into an annual report and distributed throughout the community. Find out more>>
Parent & Youth Workshops
The WYC hosts educational workshops designed to provide information, skills, and resources about issues that are important to Watertown families. Past workshops have featured field experts on internet safety/cyber bullying; parent & child communication; and adolescent brain development.
Media & Social Marketing
The WYC uses multiple media channels to raise awareness about Coalition activities and specific youth-focused issues. Social marketing campaigns, tip sheets for parents, news articles, and email and web communication are a few ways the Coalition increases its visibility and draws attention to important issues which all aim to increase positive youth behavior.
Past Projects
Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA)
CMCA seeks to reduce underage drinking and associated high-risk behaviors by mobilizing the community to work together to restrict youth access to alcohol. Creative, community-wide initiatives include our Talk it Up! Lock it Up! , It’s On You and Be A Better You (BABY) campaigns through which health promotion messages are marketed to youth and families in Watertown.
Watertown Healthy Youth (WHY)
A community-wide collaboration between the Watertown Public Schools, Wayside Multi-Service Center, the WYC and partner organizations to reduce underage alcohol use through innovative school and community-building strategies. Diversity, acceptance and respect serve as the cornerstone for supporting youth and families by creating a welcoming community.