2023 Brownstown D.A.R.E. Banquet

850 West Sweet Street,Brownstown IN 47220

02 November, 2023

Description

Featured Guest Kylee JonesKylee Jones is the Tobacco Awareness Coordinator for Healthy Communities at Columbus Regional Health, a broad-based community collaboration with the goal of improving the health and quality of life of all residents in Bartholomew County and surrounding counties. Kylee works collaboratively with local government, businesses, schools, health and social service organizations and residents to encourage smokefree environments, policies, and programs through prevention education and intervention. Kylee lives in Bartholomew County with her husband, Chris, and daughters, Lexie (17), Ellie (14), Izzie (10), and Emmie (6). Featured Guest Rebekah HawkinsRebekah has been in the role of Tobacco & Cessation Coordinator for Lawrence County since November of 2022. In the past year, Rebekah has been focusing on the vaping epidemic among our youth, particularly in rural communities. She has worked with both of the High Schools in her county to create a system to not only prevent youth vaping but to also be space were youth can have resources and support to stop vaping. Rebekah has also been very involved in her community by creating partnerships with local organizations, especially those that serve the marginalized populations. Much of that is accomplished by providing education on the misconceptions and risks of tobacco consumption, as well as helping implement comprehensive policies to protect the health of community members. Previous to the TPC role, Rebekah worked as the Program Manager for Big Brothers Big Sister of Southern Indiana, which served the youth of Monroe and Owen counties. Rebekah attended Indiana Wesleyan University and studied Global Ministry and Community Development. She has a passion for international missions work and has had the opportunity to take multiple trips to serve in West Africa throughout the past 14 years. Featured Guest Rhonda MillsRhonda Mills serves as the Washington County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coordinator under the Lead Agency of Hoosier Hills PACT and the Indiana Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission Community Partner grant. Rhonda has 23 years of experience working to reduce youth initiation, increase adult cessation and build the infrastructure necessary to impact commercial tobacco control at the local level. Rhonda graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Indiana State University in 1979. Other work history includes twenty years with Maternal Child Health/WIC serving Orange, Crawford and Martin Counties.