(4)(a)
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MTG
- Meeting Date:
- 03/06/2024
- Title:
- Submitted By:
- Rhomari Leigh, City Secretary
- Department:
- City Secretary
Information
ACTION REQUEST
Certificate of Appreciation to Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol (BACODA)
BACKGROUND (Brief Summary)
From Cheryl Lowen, Library Director
"BACODA is a non-profit organization assisting individuals, families, and communities to prevent substance use disorders through education, prevention, intervention, and recovery services in Brazoria, Galveston, Matagorda, Southeast Harris and Wharton County and the city of Pasadena.
Through the "Happiness Grant" from Texas Health and Human Services, BACODA's Galveston County Community Coalition is able to spread joy by offering a variety of unique stress reduction activities. They hope to encourage a sense of community and build a stronger, more resilient Galveston County.
Last spring, members of the BACODA team facilitated staff training on opioid education and the use of Nalaxone. They were also one of two of our non-profit friends that participated in the Summer Reading Kick-off even, not only providing information about their services, but also bringing a fun cornhole activity for families.
Since September, through the use of the Happiness Grant, they have facilitated Creative Nonfiction Writing classes each month. In December, they provided all the supplies and presented Ornament Decoration programs for children, teens, and adults. This past January, we were able to host Mardi Gras Headdress and Mask decorations for adults and teens. Patrons very well received this. Our Nessler Senior Center also hosted BACODA to reprise the Mardi Gras Headdress creation program. Devon Kitch, the BACODA representative working with the Happiness Grant, has been very excited about working with our library.
We have also been able to create new connections through our partnership with BACODA. Other community organizations have become more aware of our library services. Our space has been requested for organizational meetups for some of the non-profit coalitions providing community services. We are currently in discussions with BACODA about the possibility of them providing more programming resources through the “Happiness Grant” in the upcoming months. We are very grateful for their time and effort to help create activities that greatly pleasure our patrons and increase mental well-being."
"BACODA is a non-profit organization assisting individuals, families, and communities to prevent substance use disorders through education, prevention, intervention, and recovery services in Brazoria, Galveston, Matagorda, Southeast Harris and Wharton County and the city of Pasadena.
Through the "Happiness Grant" from Texas Health and Human Services, BACODA's Galveston County Community Coalition is able to spread joy by offering a variety of unique stress reduction activities. They hope to encourage a sense of community and build a stronger, more resilient Galveston County.
Last spring, members of the BACODA team facilitated staff training on opioid education and the use of Nalaxone. They were also one of two of our non-profit friends that participated in the Summer Reading Kick-off even, not only providing information about their services, but also bringing a fun cornhole activity for families.
Since September, through the use of the Happiness Grant, they have facilitated Creative Nonfiction Writing classes each month. In December, they provided all the supplies and presented Ornament Decoration programs for children, teens, and adults. This past January, we were able to host Mardi Gras Headdress and Mask decorations for adults and teens. Patrons very well received this. Our Nessler Senior Center also hosted BACODA to reprise the Mardi Gras Headdress creation program. Devon Kitch, the BACODA representative working with the Happiness Grant, has been very excited about working with our library.
We have also been able to create new connections through our partnership with BACODA. Other community organizations have become more aware of our library services. Our space has been requested for organizational meetups for some of the non-profit coalitions providing community services. We are currently in discussions with BACODA about the possibility of them providing more programming resources through the “Happiness Grant” in the upcoming months. We are very grateful for their time and effort to help create activities that greatly pleasure our patrons and increase mental well-being."