David Davis, E.D. of WeBridgeSA, brought our briefing this week on the power of partnering & collaboration between faith, community, and civic efforts in the healing and wholeness of youth.
Quick recap
The meeting focused on community-based initiatives and upcoming events related to youth support and substance use. Ann opened with a brief personal conversation before introducing Alice, who shared details about the Substance Use Action Lab on November 12th at Rise Recovery, which will feature a storyteller and a panel. Sister Martha Ann then presented an opportunity for young people under 35 to join a delegation to Rome in early December to attend a Nobel laureates summit, including details on costs, lodging, and the educational focus on human rights. David Davis from WeBridgeSA described a pilot project funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide holistic care for at-risk youth in Bexar County through a collaborative framework called Bridge Forward. He emphasized the importance of cross-organizational collaboration and the use of mentors with lived experience to bridge gaps between youth and formal services. John and AITSCM provided feedback, with John asking about county contacts and AITSCM reflecting on the need to address generational and cultural issues. Ann and Alice also discussed the concept of “silos” in community work and the role of SACRD Pro in connecting different subject-matter experts.
Summary
Substance Use Action Lab Announcement
Ann announced an upcoming Substance Use Action Lab scheduled for November 12th at Rise Recovery, which will feature a storyteller and panel discussions about community resources for substance use prevention and support. Alice provided details about the event, emphasizing its focus on information, education, prevention, intervention, crisis response, and recovery services. The meeting also included brief mentions of a Nobel Peace Laureates World Summit opportunity for young people and an AITSCM Trunk or Treat event scheduled for October 30th.
Nobel Laureates Summit Opportunity
Ann announced an opportunity for participants to attend a Nobel laureates summit in Rome in December, where 36 Nobel Peace laureates will gather. The event includes accommodation at $60 per night with breakfast, and participants will explore historical sites through a human rights lens. Ann encouraged Sammy to encourage Jordan to participate, noting the significance of her voice in the gathering, and mentioned ongoing work with WeBridge San Antonio regarding substance use programs for young people.
WeBridgeSA Grant Funding Selection
David presented on WeBridgeSA’s selection as a community-based organization to receive grant funding from Bexar County’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for their More for Youth project. He explained that the organization will provide prevention services to at-risk youth and families through their Bridge Forward youth intervention framework, which emphasizes collaboration between multiple community organizations to provide holistic care. David highlighted the importance of working together across organizations despite potential funding constraints, and noted that WeBridgeSA was chosen for their collaborative spirit and ability to connect youth with subject matter experts through a single umbrella approach.
Bexar County Collaboration Updates
David presented on his work with Bexar County, explaining that he is collaborating with Jill Mata and Dr. Jeanine Von Stultz on a pilot program. The discussion included plans for upcoming Sacred Action Labs on substance use disorder, with one scheduled for November 12th and another in January focusing on youth. The group discussed breaking down professional silos and working together more effectively, with Ann suggesting metaphors like cross-pollination and dancing in circles to describe collaborative work.
