Dear Parents and Guardians:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the impending dissolution of Narragansett Prevention Partnership, Inc. Like many other small businesses and non-profit organizations, we were no able to overcome the financial impacts of the pandemic. Due to a lack of future funding, we are no longer able to execute our mission of creating a culture in Narragansett where healthy lifestyles are the norm. This was a difficult decision and reality to face, because, like you, we are parents and community members in Narragansett, and we have been personally invested in the work of NPP.
Over several decades, NPP has been working in this community to prevent substance misuse with a
particular focus on 12-18 year olds and the adults in their lives. We’ve educated middle and high school
students about the effects of substance use on their developing teenage brains, the dangers of smoking
and vaping, and healthy ways to combat stress. We’ve run workshops for parents and provided
information on vaping, drug and alcohol use among teens, and parenting teens through difficult times.
Mental health promotion – particularly tools for managing stress – has been a key ingredient of this
work. We are proud of the work that has been done and how many lives have been touched by our
efforts.
They say “it takes a village” and indeed no truer words could be said about the work it takes to keep our
kids safe and to help them learn to make healthy and safe decisions. As the NPP staff, we are so grateful
to our community partners and supporters. The NPP Coalition has been a strong team of partners from
the Narragansett School Department, Narragansett Police Department, Narragansett Parks & Recreation Department, other community members, State Rep. Teresa Tanzi, and the South County Regional Coalition. All have shared valuable information, brainstormed ideas, and collaborated on many
successful initiatives. Local businesses and local youth sports leagues have partnered with us to get
messages out to the community, and many generously contributed to our fundraisers. Without the
collaboration of all of these partners, we could not have reached so many people in so many ways. How
wonderful it has been to work with so many extraordinary people in Narragansett. We are indebted to
all of them.
Although we wish we could continue our work with adequate funding, we are heartened that support
for the community will continue by other positive forces who will work toward similar goals of making
Narragansett safer and stronger. Support for our kids as they navigate the complexities of growing up
will still exist in Narragansett, as will support for adults in need. The Chris Collins Foundation, for
example, has piloted a Peer to Peer Program at NHS to heighten awareness and education about anxiety
and depression to wash away the stigma. Our Narragansett Police Department has become a RI leader
in Mental Health First Aid Training and Crisis Intervention Training. Our school system has implemented
a curriculum for Social/Emotional Learning, and has teams of school psychologists, student assistance
counselors, and a social worker in place to support students who are struggling. The South County
Regional Prevention Coalition will continue to offer programming in Narragansett to target issues like
underage drinking and safe medication disposal.
It has been our great privilege to work in and with the community to help make it a safer and healthier
place to live and grow up. We wish you all well!
With Gratitude,
The Narragansett Prevention Partnership staff
