Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Alliance Committtee
December 7, 2020 at 8PM
Attendance – AT, KM, KG, AS-D, LT
- Motion to waive reading of minutes – AT; Seconded – Katie Marsala
- Introduction of guest speakers – Heidi & Mike Polumbi, Life Chapel in Pt Boro. “Celebrate Recovery” is a 12-step program. Moved on, now run a prison program.
Prisoner Hope Ministries.com
Bible study open to everyone at 9PM via Zoom
Mike, former inmate/drug addict, life hit rock bottom and began seeking spiritual guidance. Using failures/successes to inspire courage to overcome drug addiction, alcoholism, criminal behavior.
Parents – what do we do? How do we bring about awareness? Went to scared straight as a young man, but it wasn’t enough. For a kid from an abusive home, it is difficult to not end up in addiction or incarceration.
Always ask about parental presence and find out either no parent or parents were addicted/violent.
Was involved in teen challenge – 65% of those involved in teen challenge and complete the program, turn their lives around. Teen Challenge is a drug/substance abuse crisis program. 15+ months of programming – 65% nationwide never return to addiction.
So, how do we bring awareness to lessen the problem that there is?
Usually travel 14 states in 10 weeks of summer – “Adult & Teen Challenge” – only prison ministry permitted to hold Zoom sessions.
Friends’ program, Michael DeLeon, “Steered Straight,” anti-vaping/juuling program. Valuable to have in every school – went to Howell Twp – and asked how many juul? Many, many hands went up. How many know middle schoolers who juul/vape? Just as many hands went up. Peer pressure is a real thing and kids are willing to do things that parents don’t want them to do. Bring awareness to both kids and parents.
Steeredstraight.org (on facebook too)
Teen Challenge is free/funded by churches and donations. If you can pay, please do. If not, you can still join and you will be taken in, which is a rarity in the realm of rehab programs.
If we hear or know of parents whose family are having drug addiction or other problems, please let them know.
- Family dinner – guest speaker via zoom, 30-40 minutes. Needs to be promoted and catch parents’ attention. How can we get the attention and promotion on social media – borough website, ask other committees to share the event information. (Angel) create a contest i.e., top 3 families take a photo and entice participation. How we can catch interest – virtual invite/flyer. (Angel) place value on family statistics to show how important these dinners can be.
Funds for promotion? Can we talk to Joe Leone’s, or pizza places, or other local places to offer deals or promotions to join the family dinner similar to the election night dinner? (Kait Greenberg asked about gift cards or if we have enough to offer to participants)
Could offer materials for families to discuss or review together and bring up these topics to discuss at home.
- Municipal Alliance Committee facebook – Sofia & Luke. Kristen to look into any existing file photos or logos available from Maryann Ellsworth and share via Google folder for S & L to use.
- AT – if you see any underage kids getting drug paraphernalia at a store, then share the info with the police immediately. Call dispatch 732-892-0500.
Motion to adjourn – AT; Seconded – Angel
