The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

There was plenty of applause to go around on Thursday, September 24 when the Sullivan County Carecorps held a luncheon to thank the many organizations and volunteers who come together to make Sullivan County a better place.

The effort was started about nine years ago by the Recovery Center, according to Kathy Kreiter, board chair of the Monticello Coalition of the Carecorps. Originally done on a town-by-town basis, the Carecorps – a coalition of community, business, religious, civic, government and law enforcement agencies banding with non-profits, school districts, youth and senior groups – has now coalesced into several coalitions under the same umbrella.

Carecorps Coalition Chair Larry Schafman, who also acted as MC for the luncheon, explained that the group discusses “issues affecting our youth and the rest of the community such as where they’re at risk and what are the positive factors in the community. We share information and issues to give us all a focus.”

Schafman noted that one of this year’s major projects was “the STOP campaign to see an end of the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to minors in Sullivan County. We created signage and enlisted the support of different businesses. It’s been very successful and it’s countywide.”

Project Director Carolyn Massey explained that the Drug Free Community Grant – which funds the project, but was not granted for the coming year due to economic hard times and tough competition – had, as its direct objective, the mandate to “build community coalitions to address drug and alcohol abuse in minors.” One of the things Massey does toward that end, is to conduct the national Prevention Needs Assessments Surveys, which survey students in 6th, 8th. 10th and 12th grades, in all eight county school districts. The students are asked for their perceptions of family, peers, community and school, as well as their feelings on drugs, alcohol and tobacco availability and accessibility. The results, Massey said, are used for a variety of things including community health assessments and for community risk and protective factors.

Massey enjoys the challenge and opportunity to make a difference by mobilizing and bringing people together. “That’s the only way we’re going to make change is to realize that all of us have equal representation, no matter what position we have, we’re just as powerful as the other – housewives and chief of police both can have a profound effect on the community,” she said.

Indeed, the luncheon guests represented a variety of the community and included representatives from the Monticello Senior Club, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Monticello Police Department, the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, the media and many others. Sullivan County Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh reminded the attendees that even when there is no money “there are a lot of things you can accomplish … People ask me whether you should donate money or give your time. Volunteer time you can do a lot with.”

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jim Farrell quoted Margaret Mead. “’Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ That quote applies to the people I see in this room,” said Farrell, “We are trying to make our community a better place. We will get it done. This group has opened my eyes to a lot of different things. The DA’s office is committed to making sure that we not only react to crime, but also to be out there to try and prevent it in the first place. I pledge to you and I commit myself and the DA’s office to all the work that the Carecorps is doing. We know we’re going to make a difference.”

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