UMALIMALAYOUT

Stopping It Before It Starts Prevention strategies equip young people at Lima UMADAOP

enjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and that is certainly true when it comes to averting substance abuse with today’s kids. No one knows this better than Joselyn “Angel”McClellan, the prevention specialist at the Lima Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP). She has been with the organization for seven years and has seen it grow, both in size and in the number of programs offered. The programs serve youth, ages 6-17 years old, both during the school year and during summer break. Some of the activities include tutoring, hands-on homework help, drug and alcohol prevention and arts and crafts.They also go on field trips, once a month during the school year and throughout the summer months.They have taken trips to the zoo, waterparks and other local attractions around the city. The programs are geared toward low-income families and are admitted on a first come, first-serve basis. McClellan says her biggest challenge is, “We don’t have enough workers to want to help with our programs.”

“We do all things to motivate and empower girls.” -Joselyn “Angel”McClellan , prevention specialist Lima UMADAOP 50