On June 1, 2019, KYCC’s Prevention Education, in partnership with community organizations such as Madres Que Luchan and Manos Unidas, hosted their 2nd Annual Prevention Summit at Pico-Union Project. KYCC’s first Prevention Summit was held on April 29, 2017 and focused on drug and alcohol education, tenant rights and direct services for community members. This year’s event focused on topics such as domestic violence, self-esteem, peer pressure and drug abuse among teens. Event partners included Pico-Union Project, Mexican Consulate, KHEIR Clinic, Clinica Romero, Belmont Health Center, Innovative Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District, LA County of Consumer and Business Affairs, KYCC Environmental Services, and LA Education Partnership.

Thanks to the generous support of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – Substance Abuse Prevention & Control (SAPC), 75 parents and 78 children enjoyed informational workshops, free resource booths, free food and raffles at our 2nd Annual Prevention Summit.

Parents attended workshops on a wide range of topics such as domestic abuse, current trends in teenage drug use and the ins-and-outs of starting a small business. Mujeres Transformando la Communidad (MTC), a parent group formerly known as No Mas Licorerias, presented the findings of a special research project they conducted in 2015. The research, conducted with the Special Services for Groups (SSG) and Coalition to Prevent Alcohol-Related Harms (CoPALM), collected surveys and informational evaluations for data mapping and conducted research on community assessments for alcohol outlet density, community safety, homelessness, drugs, and violence in the Pico-Union and Westlake areas.

Attendees also watched a “Reality Party” skit created and performed by KYCC’s Prevention Education staff and Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Program (YDAPP) students. Parents got a glimpse into what an unsupervised teenage party often looks like, and demonstrated real social issues that youth face such as peer pressure, experimental drug use, underage drinking and binge drinking.  

Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Program (YDAPP) is a 10-month leadership program that trains youth advocates to raise substance abuse awareness among their peers in Koreatown and neighboring communities. Youth advocates participate in alcohol and drug-free events, such as community clean-ups, health fairs and educational outreach, throughout the year. 

“I have never participated in an educational event about the abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances. I would like to see more of these types of workshops in schools for young people and for parents. Thank you KYCC for everything you’ve taught us today,” remarked a parent participant.

Prevention Education uses an “environmental” approach to substance abuse prevention. Our community organizers work with youth, parents and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) by providing prevention education workshops. These workshops increase alcohol and other drug knowledge, as well as develop open communication between youth and parents. The program discusses the social and societal pressures that lead to substance abuse and provides participants the tools for building healthy families.