In order to highlight pockets of excellence across the country, the NNED selects a partner organization to highlight once a month. Empowerment Zone Coalition Inc., has been selected as the Partner of the Month for April in recognition of National Minority Health Month.
The mission of the Empowerment Zone Coalition (EZC) is to raise public awareness and to mobilize communities to improve quality of life for Detroit residents through education, health promotion, wellness, and the prevention of substance use and mental health disorders in the city of Detroit with strong emphasis on the Eastside. EZC develops new initiatives based on identified needs of the community.
Since its inception in May 1996, the coalition has been “Rebuilding the Village” through community empowerment. Coalition members and additional volunteers are dedicated to increasing protective factors through faith-based substance abuse prevention and community involvement. The Empowerment Zone Coalition, Inc. is a very unique 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit that focuses on comprehensive substance abuse prevention. EZC is a broad based coalition with agency collaborations that improves collective advocacy and service delivery to the community with strong focus on the youth and families. For the past 14 years, EZC’s goals were to raise the visibility of the coalition, increase public awareness of substance abuse issues, and public policy advocacy.
Some of the programs and services that are currently offered:
- A Collective Call to Action: Training & Workshop Series – The Collective Call to Action Workshop Series were designed to educate the community on health, substance abuse and drug-related issues in an effort to counteract the misconceptions and work towards changing the negative social norms in the community.
- Partnerships – EZC continues to work diligently with several partners to maximize the resources offered to the community, reduce the duplication of services, and reach a larger portion of the population. Through the partnerships, EZC has successful organized Prescription Take Back Days, Underage Drinking Town Hall Meeting, World AIDS Day, Kick Butts Day, Red Ribbon Week, Alcohol Awareness Month, HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse Prevention Public Education Campaign, and etc.
- Education and Advocacy – EZC develops innovative initiatives to raise public awareness on health issues affecting the citizens’ quality of life and work with community citizens to take an active role in changing social conditions in the community through public forums, town hall meetings, public education campaigns and other strategies.
- “Come Walk with Us” Project – According to data provided by Gallup report, the adult obesity rate so far in 2013 is 27.2%, while the 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that among United States high school students are 13% obese. Obesity can lead to depression, suicide and substance use/abuse. “Come Walk with Us” Project is designed to help individuals to live a healthier lifestyle by exercising and learning about additive substances and healthy tips. The project provides education on proper walking techniques and healthy tips. The program is focus on youth and their families in the city of Detroit.
Learn more about Empowerment Zone Coalition Inc. and their vision to build a safe, healthy, and drug free community that values cultural diversity and assures adequate housing and social services for all in Metro Detroit.
View a list of previous NNED Partners of the Month.
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