The Coalition:

The Drug Free Coalition of North Central Minnesota, is currently transforming itself from a federally funded program to a locally funded program.  It will reconvene under a new title “Bemidji Area Prevention Collaborative”.  The group of diverse leaders and organizations that make up the Coalition membership are dedicated to working smart, spending smart, and striving to reduce the local tax burden as they focus on preventing such costly problems as drug abuse, violence, teen pregnancy, juvenile crime, and school drop outs.

Vision:

The Coalition members work together to transform the Bemidji area, from a Good to a Great place for youth and families to lead safe, healthy, and successful lives.

Mission:

The Coalition (now the Collaborative) engages in participative planning and supports implementation of strategies to prevent and reduce youth alcohol, tobacco, illegal drug use, and violence.

Investments in the Community
2008 – 2009 DFC Support Grants:

Organization: BABA (Beltrami Area Beverage Association)
Activity: Safe Cab
DFC will partner with BABA to provide seed monies for launching the “Safe Cab”.

Organization: Beltrami Health and Human Servives
Activity: ” A Day with Dope” Workshop
DFC was a Co-Sponsor of this event

Organization: Bemidji High School
Activity: Bemidji Prom Party

Organization: Bemidji Youth Advisory Commission
Activity: Waterfront Music and Game Fest
DFC was a co-sponsor of this event.

Organization: Boys and Girls Club
Activity: Gardening Project

Organization: Boys and Girls Club
Activity: Transportation for kids attending Lincoln School to Bemidji Boys and Girls Club.
DFC funded a grant for children who attend Lincoln School (in Nymore) to be able to ride the Bemidji Transit to the Bemidji Boys and Girls Club for free. There is seldom transportation for these children.

Organization: DFC and Drug and Alcohol Task Force of Hubbard County
Activity: DFC has joined forces with the Drug and Alcohol Task Force of Hubbard County to provide bar and restaurant owners of Beltrami and Hubbard Counties, posters with strict guidelines to help them follow state laws. DFC will also partner with DATF of Hubbard County to provide beverage server training this fall in Bemidji and Park Rapids.

Organization: Evergreen House
Activity: Suicide Prevention Walk
DFC co-sponsored this event.

 Organization: Headwaters Intervention Center & Family Crisis Center
Activity: Fall Dinner and Silent Auction

Activity: Holiday Basketball Challenge
A Faith-Based event held at Bemidji State University for youth to gather and enjoy playing together.

Activity: Laporte  “Battle of the Bands” Music Festival
DFC co-sponsored this event.

Organization: Leech Lake Youth Division
Activity: Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Drum Dance

Organization: Peacemaker Resources
Activity: Peacemaking and Anti-Bullying Programs
DFC gave a support grant for services to under-served communities in the DFC region.

Activity: Tribal Community Police Training.
This training was offered in Red Lake for all three area reservations tribal police and interested community members. Focus was on identifying drug and alcohol problems and gang-related issues.

Activity: Wellbriety Recovery Event
DFC co-sponsored this event.

Activity: Winter Gathering
DFC helped to fund this traditional winter gathering for tribes which was held in Ponemah. This was the first event in a series of four season events to follow. These events are a gathering of tribal members from around the region.