Engage Douglas County, a coalition that aims to promote mental health and reduce substance abuse, is celebrating three winners of awards that recognize contributions to that mission.
The 2022 Engaged in Action awards recognized Malorie Facile, Paul Dorathy, and the Indigenous Community Center of Lawrence with youth, adult and organization categories, respectively.
They have exemplified values that include “a demonstrated commitment to reducing substance misuse and/or promoting mental health, active engagement in issues that affect residents in Douglas County, such as drug and alcohol use, suicide prevention, or other behavioral health issues, and dedication to serving the community,” according to a news release from the coalition.
Facile is a student at Perry-Lecompton High School who has taken the lead in the school’s youth prevention team efforts, working to promote mental health and destigmatize mental illness, according to the release.
“She comes to (Douglas County Youth Prevention) meetings with energy, bright ideas, and follows through on seeing the campaigns carried out,” according to the release. “Malorie has been a great asset to the DCYP team and movement in the Perry Lecompton school district to support the needs of youth and adults.”
Dorathy is the retiring superintendent of Baldwin City schools. He served the district for 16 years, according to the release, and he has “been a champion of prevention work in Douglas County for the past several years.”
Dorathy has worked to implement initiatives such as the Good Behavior Game and Handle with Care to ensure that students are supported when there are challenges that happen outside of the school day, and “he has been intentional about connecting his students and staff with community resources for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts,” according to the release.
Lawrence’s Indigenous Community Center “has led numerous community events engaging youth and adults including the food sovereignty farming project, Native youth skate team, and the MMIW City of Lawrence proclamation and walk,” according to the release.
“The leadership has worked hard to engage the entire Douglas County Community to bring people together and educate regarding Native issues.”
The award winners will be celebrated during an event from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, June 6 at the Wetlands Discovery Center, 1365 North 1250 Road in Lawrence. Registration to attend the celebration is at this link.
“Congratulations to these outstanding recipients of the 2022 Engaged in Action award,” Lori Alvarado, DCCCA CEO, said in the release. “Their commitment and dedication to prevention efforts makes an incredible impact throughout the Douglas County community.”
Learn more about Engage Douglas County at this link.
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