|
Audio C is a brand new coalition whose goal is to protect our youth by standing against underage drinking in Cleveland and
Bradley County.
A recent survey showed that 70.2% of all 11th graders in Bradley County believe that underage drinking is a problem in our
schools. Audio C was formed as a result of a training program enacted by the Bradley Initiative for Church and Community (BICC)
and Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative. This training program is called Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol
(CMCA) and its goal is to reduce adolescent (13-20 years old) access to alcohol by changing community policies and practices.
Audio C has partnered with GRAAB (Going Respectfully Against Addictive Behaviors), our local anti-drug coalition, in an effort
to unite forces and oppose the damaging and even deadly effects that drugs and alcohol have on our youth and our community.
The Mission Statement of Audio C is “Changing our environment by educating Cleveland / Bradley County about
the continuing problems of underage drinking and by helping reduce those problems through prevention, intervention, awareness
and community resources”.
One Objective is to increase awareness of the clear and present problems and health risks associated with underage drinking
among students in Cleveland and Bradley County. Audio C is partnering with several local organizations in an effort to provide
a support network for students and families facing the problems associated with underage drinking. Our hope is to reach
parents and students, beginning in the middle schools, with the message that underage drinking can cause our students permanent
damage physically, developmentally and emotionally.
|
|
A brief history of our organization and beginnings
Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA), is a community organizing effort designed to change policies and practices
of major community institutions in ways that reduce access to alcohol by teenagers. CMCA is a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental
Health Services Administration) model Program with services provided by Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) based in San Francisco
California.
(CMCA) is a program developed to reduce adolescent (13 to 20 years old) access to alcohol by changing community policies and
practices. CMCA has proven that effectively limiting the access to alcohol of people under the legal drinking age not only
directly reduces teen drinking, but also sends a clear message to the community that underage drinking is inappropriate and
unacceptable.
In compliance with Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative goal number 2: Reduce and Prevent Substance Abuse and Violence---
Faith Based Community Coordinator has organized a training series on Communities Mobilize for Change in Alcohol (CMCA)
As part of the an ongoing effort to enhance positive youth development in Cleveland/Bradley County members who have participated
in the CMCA training are working together strategically, identifying various ways to reduce and prevent underage drinking
in our community. The named coined for the Cleveland/Bradley County CMCA initiative is Audio C (Against Underage Drinking
in our Community).
Audio C has partnered with GRAAB (Going Respectfully Against Addictive Behaviors) local anti-drug coalition.
Meet our Community Coordinator
Mr. Joshua Sarmiento
Joshua Luis Sarmiento (M.S)
was born in the Bronx, NYC where he was a former gang member. He has served as the Client Services Manager at Chattanooga
C.A.R.E.S, a leading agency assisting individuals with HIV/AIDS. Mr. Sarmiento has a Masters in Counseling
from Lee University Cleveland, TN and has worked over 12 years with Youth that participate in at risk behaviors.
He has extensive knowledge in addiction, case management, anti drug and gang prevention, youth motivation, and in Pastoral
Counseling. Previous to Chattanooga CARES, he had served four years at Bradford Health Services treating
addictions. He is also part of Prison Prevention Ministries and Stop the Madness in Chattanooga, TN where
he is an inspirational speaker to youth about anti gang and self destructive behaviors. Mr. Sarmiento developed
the anti gang- Hispanic Curriculum for Alianzar Familiar ( Family Alliance) to increase knowledge, capacity and accountability
of community anti-gang & drug coalitions in Dalton Georgia among
the Latino Community. He has also worked in conjunction with law enforcement, civil and church groups to
incorporate positive outlets to assist youth in having a successful future involving education. Josh is
currently pursuing LPC and LADAC licensure as well as his License in Pastoral Counseling from the state of TN.
He and his beautiful wife are currently Senior Pastors of Mount Olive DESTINY, a ministry of the church of God in
Cleveland TN.
|
