PYDONEFAMILY

07/13/2026

Youth coalition members are at it again!
This group of future leaders is at CADCA’s 25th Annual Training Institute.
The community and school can look forward to these enthusiastic students sharing their experience and knowledge in the coming months.
Their passion for substance use prevention is inspiring. Always working to promote a safe and healthy community❤️

05/06/2026

Iroquois youth members visited Harrisburg yesterday to speak with our local representatives. “Day at the Capitol” was an event sponsored by TRU (To***co Resistance Unit).

Representatives Bizzarro, Harkins, Merski were all available and happy to speak with the students about their concerns.

Watching the interaction between the adults and students was inspiring. The students are confident, knowledgeable, respectful. They are grateful to have the opportunity to advocate for a safe and drug-free community.

Way to go Braves! I am proud of you.

03/25/2026

Welcoming our newest Junior Council Member at the Wesleyville Borough, Sophia Brookhouser!

Sophia is a blaring example of light and positivity for PYD, in her third year she brings immense heart, leadership & advocacy skills, and a strong understanding of what makes collaboration so important!

She is excited to improve her home and school district!

🌟 Gratitude and thanks to the Wesleyville Mayor & Council for pushing youth advocacy to the forefront! As the first municipality in the state of PA to start the Junior Council program many years ago, they are thrilled to continue to bolster the youth voice in Wesleyville as the asset it truly is!

03/16/2026

Zamaria is one of our standout leaders, and we are thrilled to see her thriving in a place where her voice won’t only be heard but VALUED! A special thank you to the Lawerence Park Township Manager, Spencer Caden for being so open and willing to allow our youth to participate in discussion and decision around bettering our community!

Zamaria is going to bring the best out of everyone she works with! Cheers to her 👏🏼

Lawrence Park Township made history at the Township Meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026!

During the meeting, the Township officially established its 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡-𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 and swore in the very first Junior Commissioner, 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭.

Zamaria is a 9th grade student at Iroquois Jr./Sr. High School and will serve a one-year term in the position. As Junior Commissioner, she will help serve as a liaison between local youth and the Township, sharing ideas, perspectives, and feedback from her peers.

Zamaria shared that she is excited for the opportunity and looks forward to being involved with the Township and representing the voices of students in our community.

Please join us in 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒁𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒆. We are excited to have her involved and can’t wait to work with her over the next year!

01/23/2026

A few of our youth coalition members met with Representative Bob Merski and Representative Pat Harkins yesterday at Iroquois High School. The round table discussion focused on student/community concerns relating to our mission. The benefits of the recent community grants for the foot bridge and the Lawrence Park Police Department were recognized. Our representatives worked hard for these grants.

These young leaders made me proud. They interacted with knowledge and confidence. The experience will be taken to Washington, DC in February when we will meet with Congressman Mike Kelly and Senator John Fetterman.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Merski and Mr. Harkins for the time they took to answer our questions and for their suggestions moving forward to make Wesleyville and Lawrence Park safe and drug-free communities.

It was another great day to be a BRAVE!

12/18/2025

Proud of these PYD youth group members volunteering at Night at the North Pole.

11/04/2025

Congratulations to Mrs. Glennon’s advisory class! They are the winners of the door decorating contest. In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, our student members challenged each advisory to decorate their classroom door using the Substance Use Prevention and Halloween themes.
There were many clever creations and the judges were very impressed.
Thank you to everyone that participated.

10/25/2025

Had a great turnout for our 9th annual zombie run, where we partnered with students and families to scare drugs out of the community! 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️

10/20/2025

The 9th Annual Zombie Run is Saturday,
October 25.
10am at IES.

10/07/2025

On September 30, 2025 a few coalition youth attended the Mental Health Symposium at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. This event was promoted by the Intermediate Unit #5. High school students throughout the Northwestern Pennsylvania region were invited to give input regarding mental health and other programming at their school. They also had opportunity to share ideas that would ensure their success in high school. Our BRAVES represented their school district, community and coalition very well.