Warren Coalition Executive Director presents at national leadership forum

Warren Coalition Executive Director Christa Shifflett presented at the CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) National Leadership Forum on February 1, 2023.

Shifflett’s session was entitled “Growing Grassroots Resilience,” and was one of 160 sessions offered over the three-day conference held at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The conference was CADCA’s largest ever, welcoming 4,000 people. Though held during Capitol Hill Day when many attendees leave the conference to meet with their government representatives, Shifflett’s talk drew in between 70 and 80 people.

Executive Director Christa Shifflett provides instructions for an activity during her presentation at the CADCA National Leadership Forum held in National Harbor, MD.

During her presentation, Shifflett shared the premise behind the “We See You, Warren County” campaign and detailed the program itself. She also shared stories of how it has impacted the Warren County community. After the session concluded, she and her staff spent nearly a half-hour fielding questions and comments from others interested in implementing similar programs in their communities. One man thanked the Coalition staff for the talk and called it “the highlight of my week.”

Most drug use can be attributed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the key to overcoming ACES is resilience. People are not born resilient, but they can develop it and teach it.  We See You, Warren County is a grassroots campaign focused on building community resilience. At the most basic level, it is about greeting others to create a sense of connection, belonging, and safety in the community. Businesses, organizations, and individuals sign up for We See You, Warren County to demonstrate their commitment to greet others and foster this sense of belonging and connection. There is no cost for the program. Business and organizations who join receive recognition on the Warren Coalition social media pages and the We See You, Warren County website, and receive other benefits. Individuals receive a shout-out on WZRV. All partners receive a We See You, Warren County window cling. Monthly themes provide inspiration and challenges to live out. Contests and events help create connections and educate the community about building resilience.

The program currently has more than 200 partners and over 1,000 people signed up on the Facebook group. To learn more about the We See You, Warren County campaign, visit weseeyou.warrencoalition.org, or watch the Royal Examiner’s Town Talk with Christa Shifflett.

About Warren Coalition

Warren Coalition is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance misuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug-free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.