The Prevention Coalition At Our Village

09/02/2026

CALLING ALL Parents, Teachers & Caregivers in Okeechobee! 🚨

Do you know what to look for?

Our Village Okeechobee is hosting a powerful, interactive "Hidden in Plain Sight" event designed to help parents, teachers, and community members step into the world of a teenager.

You'll get to experience and explore a teen's environment and learn how to spot the subtle, everyday signs of possible substance use and risky behavior that are often... hidden in plain sight. We'll also talk about how to start the conversation and what to do next.

This is for ANYONE who cares for or works with youth in Okeechobee County. If you're a parent, grandparent, foster parent, teacher, coach, mentor - this is for YOU.

Join us:
WEDNESDAY | SEPT 16 at 6:00 PM
📍 202 NE 2nd Street Suite 8, Okeechobee
Hosted by: Our Village Okeechobee & Our Village Prevention Coalition
In partnership with Florida Department of Children and Families & Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

This is a FREE community education event. Space is limited, so please reach out to let us know you're coming.

Have questions?
📞 863-447-0743
📧 [email protected]

Please SHARE this with another parent or teacher who needs to see it. It truly takes a village.

09/02/2026

Connection is Su***de Prevention. 💜💚

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, and we want our community to know: your connection matters more than you know.

Check in. Listen. Show up. You could be the reason someone holds on.

Need help? You are not alone. Call or text 988 anytime.

***dePreventionMonth

09/01/2026

💙 CREATE A SAFETY PLAN. SAVE A LIFE. 💙

When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, it can be difficult to know what to do in the moment. A Su***de Safety Plan is a simple, personalized tool that can help someone recognize warning signs, cope with overwhelming emotions, and connect with people who can help.

A safety plan can include:

🧠 1. Know the Warning Signs
What thoughts, feelings, situations, or behaviors let you know a crisis may be developing?

💪 2. Identify Coping Strategies
What can you do on your own to help get through a difficult moment? Music, walking, journaling, grounding exercises, hobbies, or other healthy distractions can help.

👥 3. Identify People Who Can Help
Write down trusted friends, family members, teachers, coaches, counselors, or other supportive adults you can reach out to.

🏠 4. Identify Safe Places
Think ahead about places where you feel safe and supported and where you don't have to face difficult moments alone.

📞 5. Know Who to Contact for Professional Help
Keep important numbers readily available, including 988 — the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

🔒 6. Make Your Environment Safer
During a crisis, creating distance from things that could be used for self-harm can provide valuable time to get help. Ask a trusted adult or loved one to help if needed.

❤️ Most importantly: Don't face it alone.

A safety plan isn't about predicting the future. It's about having a plan before a crisis happens so that when emotions become overwhelming, there are already steps in place to help someone stay safe.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for immediate support. If there is an immediate danger or someone has already harmed themselves, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Asking about su***de does NOT put the idea in someone's head. Sometimes, simply asking, "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" can open the door to the help they desperately need.

💙 LISTEN. ASK. SUPPORT. CONNECT.
You never know when being there for someone could make all the difference.

***dePrevention

09/01/2026

💛 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SU***DE PREVENTION MONTH 💛

At The Prevention Coalition of Okeechobee County, we believe that every life matters, every story matters, and no one should have to struggle alone.

September is National Su***de Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness, break the stigma, and remind our community that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

🫶 You don't have to have all the answers to help someone.

Sometimes prevention starts with simply noticing that someone isn't themselves and saying:

💬 “How are you really doing?”
💬 “I’ve noticed you’ve been struggling. I’m here for you.”
💬 “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

👂 LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGING.
💛 ASK WITHOUT ACCUSING.
🤝 RESPOND WITH SUPPORT.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, friend, coach, youth, or community member — you can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking about su***de, help is available 24/7.

📞 Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

🚨 If there is an immediate danger or someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Let's make Okeechobee a community where people feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.

💛 You are not a burden.
💛 You are not alone.
💛 Your life matters.

The Prevention Coalition of Okeechobee County
Prevention starts with connection. 💛

***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Behind every statistic is a parent who lost a child.
A friend who lost someone they loved.
A family forever changed.

And most of all, behind every statistic is a beautiful human being who was struggling with a battle that may not have been visible to everyone around them.

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE IN YOUR FIGHT! YOU ARE LOVED AND CARED ABOUT!

***dePrevention

08/31/2026

Today is the day! We would love to see as many people as we can, to honor all those who have lost their battle and for those still in their battle!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS!

🕯️ International Overdose Awareness Day — Monday, August 31 🕯️

This Monday, Our Village Okeechobee invites our entire community to come together for a Candlelight Vigil in honor of those we have lost to overdose and in support of those who are still fighting their battle. 💜

This is a time to remember, honor, support, and bring hope. Every life matters. Every story matters. And no one should have to face their battle alone.

🍽️ Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM
🕯️ Candlelight Vigil to follow
💜 Open to everyone in our community

Whether you have lost someone, are currently fighting addiction, are in recovery, or simply want to stand beside those who are hurting — you are welcome here.

Let's come together as a community to remember those we've lost, support those still with us, and remind one another that there is hope.

🕯️ We remember. We honor. We support. We hope.

08/28/2026

🕯️ International Overdose Awareness Day — Monday, August 31 🕯️

This Monday, Our Village Okeechobee invites our entire community to come together for a Candlelight Vigil in honor of those we have lost to overdose and in support of those who are still fighting their battle. 💜

This is a time to remember, honor, support, and bring hope. Every life matters. Every story matters. And no one should have to face their battle alone.

🍽️ Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM
🕯️ Candlelight Vigil to follow
💜 Open to everyone in our community

Whether you have lost someone, are currently fighting addiction, are in recovery, or simply want to stand beside those who are hurting — you are welcome here.

Let's come together as a community to remember those we've lost, support those still with us, and remind one another that there is hope.

🕯️ We remember. We honor. We support. We hope.