September 2024

City of Alexandria Hosts 11th Annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference

This past August, 85 youth attended the 11th annual Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference, a free event that empowers emerging young leaders by providing training opportunities and connecting them to resources in the Alexandria community. This year's conference theme was "The Power of You"

During the first day of the conference, City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson discussed his leadership journey before engaging in a robust Q&A session with youth participants.

Throughout the conference, students also attended a series of interactive workshops, including:

• "Teen Community Emergency Response Team," presented by Kevin Coleman from the Office of Emergency Management
• "Mentorship Matters," presented by Alexandria City High School (ACHS) student Michelle Lopez and Renee Liden from Space of Her Own
• "Titans Together," presented by ACHS students Abbie Torres and Bianca Gutierrez Membreno 
• "The Bystander Effect," presented by the Peer Advocates
• "Build your own self-care kit," presented by SAPCA coordinator Emma Beall
• "Movement is Power!" presented by Jen Wiser from Move2Learn
• "Star Power, Self-talk and Finding Balance," presented by Ashleigh Conrad from Girls on the Run
• "A Day in the Life," presented by the Peer Advisors
• "Yoga and Mindfulness," presented by Mo Edu, a Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor
• "Intro to Leadership," presented by Philip Wilkerson, an Employer Engagement Consultant at George Mason University
• "Understanding Boundaries: Importance and Impact," presented by the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors
• "Networking 101," presented by Noraine Buttar, Chief of Youth Development.

On the last day of the conference, students were recognized with certificates by SAPCA Chair Allen Lomax and the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP) Chair Helen Morris. To facilitate youth-adult partnerships, the conference culminated with an afternoon networking session with 40 Alexandria community leaders -- including City Council and School Board representatives, City Board and Commission leaders, non-profit executives, and City staff -- and an “ice cream social” catered by Ben & Jerry's. 

The three-day event was hosted by SAPCA, ACAP, the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and the Alexandria Library.

Youth that participated in the conference will receive updates throughout the year about internships, volunteer and leadership opportunities and other ways to get involved in the Alexandria community. If your organization has opportunities for youth that you'd like SAPCA to promote, contact emma.beall@alexandriava.gov

National Night Out Recap

On August 6, volunteers Susan F., Sabrinia H., Doaa R., Engy F., Faye M., Cassandra P., Abel D., Chloe L., and Michael L. visited neighborhoods throughout the City as part of National Night Out. This fun annual event features block parties and barbeques throughout the City, with the goal of preventing crime by building a sense of community. 

SAPCA volunteers helped support outreach efforts by distributing over 100 free parent handbooks, a resource guide created by Operation Parent that raises awareness about the latest trends, warning signs, and tips for effective parent/child communication.

Please join us in thanking these wonderful volunteers for their help sharing this important information with Alexandria families!

Couldn't make it to National Night Out? Contact Emma Beall at emma.beall@alexandriava.gov to learn how to pick up a free parent handbook.

Interested in making a difference in your community? Sign up here to receive information about volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

Summer Medication Collection Recap

Since the beginning of June, the City of Alexandria collected and safely disposed of 340 lbs. of unused or expired medication collected from the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray's permanent medication drop box. Medication can also be disposed of 24/7 at the following locations:

• Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (just inside front entrance, ring bell for access): 3600 Wheeler Ave.
• Inova Alexandria Hospital Emergency Department: 4320 Seminary Rd.

Needles are not accepted in the permanent medication drop boxes. Dispose of needles and syringes  using a separate sharps disposal container located in the Emergency Department at Inova Alexandria Hospital.

Click here to learn about the importance of safe medication disposal.

Supporting Healthy Youth and Healthy Families: Back-To-School Edition

The start of a new school year is a great time to talk to your student about substance use and misuse. Check out these ideas to start the conversation:

Make your values clear about substance use, particularly underage substance use, with your children and teens.

Discuss expectations and consequences. Clear rules, consistent consequences, and encouragement will help your child succeed. As the school year gets started, discuss a realistic curfew with your family. Should curfew be different on weekends? What are some of the potential consequences of arriving home past curfew? How might these consequences change if communication takes place to explain a delay?

Ask open ended questions to engage your child in a conversation. Be prepared for questions they may ask you. Do not assume youth are engaging in risky behaviors based on what questions they ask. They may simply want to start a dialogue with you.

Discuss healthy coping mechanisms. The start of a new school year can be a stressful time. Some simple coping strategies include exercising, socializing with friends or family, listening to music, and journaling. Model healthy coping mechanisms. Children and teens pay attention to the example adults set. If adults model that substances are needed to relieve stress, or are used as a coping mechanism, it can send the wrong message to youth.



Know the legal consequences related to underage use of substances.

• It is illegal for anyone under 21 to use, purchase, or possess alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco products.
• It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to provide alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco products to anyone under 21.

Find more tips to keep the conversation going here.

September is National Recovery Month

National Recovery Month is a long-standing observance of the benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from substance use disorders. Nationwide, millions of people now identify as being in recovery and have had their lives transformed. The goal of Recovery Month is to spread the positive message that behavioral health is vital to overall health, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.

This September, the Department of Community and Human Services is hosting a series of events to honor and celebrate our community members thriving in recovery. Several events will highlight the wellness benefits of art, nutrition, exercise and meditation. Additionally, a community celebration featuring food, fun, and festivities will take place on September 25 at Ben Brenman Park to celebrate individuals, as well as their families and loved ones, who enjoy the benefits of recovery.

Click here to view the full schedule of events and join our community in educating, celebrating, and supporting persons in recovery this month and year-round.

Supporting Our Community During National Suicide Prevention Month

Each September, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness during National Suicide Prevention Month. 

Nationally, one in five Americans live with a mental health condition. Nearly one in five youth will experience a mental health challenge such as depression or anxiety at some point during their life and suicide is a leading cause of death. We can all help prevent suicide this month and year-round. 

What can you do?

• Help keep our community safe by locking up guns and medication.
• Dispose of unused or expired medication safely. Limiting access to these lethal means is one way you can help prevent suicide in Alexandria. Learn more about safe medication disposal.
• Know the signs and what you can do to help someone in crisis.
• Attend a Youth Mental Health First Aid training or Question, Persuade and Refer suicide prevention training. Contact temi.aregbesola@alexandriava.gov to learn about upcoming trainings. 
• Get involved with the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia.

Explore more resources to support youth mental health here.

Quick Links

Upcoming Youth Development Trainings



• The next Understanding ACEs: Building Resilient Communities training will take place virtually on September 4 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Register here.
• The next Question, Persuade and Refer training will take place virtually on September 11 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Register here.
• The next Youth Mental Health First Aid training will take place in-person on September 18 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Register here.
• The next Everyone's an Asset Builder training will take place in-person on September 26 from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Register here.

Contact temi.aregbesola@alexandriava.gov for more information.

Click here to learn more.

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 

4850 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22311