“Jail Experience” Volunteers Honored with Advocacy Award

 

by Jonathan Weaver

An interactive Drugs Kill Dreams anti-drug program was honored last week in Kittanning.

Volunteers that show teens and adults the dangers and consequences of using drugs during the Drugs Kill Dreams “Jail Experience” four times per calendar year received the 2016 Armstrong County Child Advocacy Award Wednesday morning during a breakfast buffet at the Belmont Complex.

The award was presented by Multidisciplinary Child Protection team Chairman – and former award recipient – Ed Cutts. Cutts is also a Crisis Prevention Specialist for the Armstrong School District.

District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo – also a past recipient - nominated the volunteers for the biennial award.

According to Judge DeComo, most of the core volunteers have served with the program for about 10 years, some never missing a program at the Armstrong County Jail.

“The volunteers care deeply about their community,” Judge DeComo wrote in his nomination letter. “They are concerned about the health and well being of every child in Armstrong County. They give endlessly of their time, expecting nothing in return.

“I sincerely believe that these volunteers have prevented numerous children from experimenting with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.”

Program volunteers range in age from high school students through retirees.

“Jail Experience” Coordinator Debby Fazekas (of Sarver) and volunteers also performed scenes from the experience - including Pennsylvania State Police troopers arresting a teen and emergency medical personnel trying to resuscitate a teen who overdosed.

The two-hour Drugs Kill Dreams “Jail Experience” debuted in January 2014 as a continuation of the Drugs Kill Dreams “Reality Tour” – which was in place since 2005.

Before the experience began, Judge DeComo said the new interactive program helps volunteers change the program to reflect what the issues are in the community.

The Multidisciplinary Child Prevention Team – established in 1976 – helps identify cases of child abuse and neglect and plan appropriate comprehensive treatment for families.

A Child Advocacy Award has been presented biennially to honor the work of local residents who make a difference in the lives of children since 1988.
The 2014 award recipient was former Armstrong School District teacher Joan Moore, where as others have included the late-Dr. James Greenbaum (Armstrong County Memorial Hospital’s first pediatrician) and County Detective (and Team Co-Chair) Roberta Davis.
According to Armstrong County Children, Youth & Family Services Administrator Dennis Demangone, about two dozen Multidisciplinary Child Protection team members voted on the award selection.

More than 100 people from local organizations and agencies attended the breakfast.

The next “Jail Experience” is currently booked on May 10 with over 25 participants.

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