Who we help

Starting Point of Ozaukee

 

Starting Point of Ozaukee serves as the frontline resource to the Ozaukee County community for the prevention, education, early intervention, and referral of community members affected by chemical abuse or dependence.

Starting Point of Ozaukee serves as the frontline resource to the Ozaukee County community for the prevention, education, early intervention, and referral of community members affected by chemical abuse or dependence. We are unique because of our belief that everyone and anyone deserves assistance and our unwavering availability to community members in their time of need. The agency’s services and programs are proactive and preventive in nature, and it serves as a community clearinghouse for all resources and referrals in Ozaukee.

Starting Point of Ozaukee offers:                                                                

1. Ozaukee ATOD Prevention Consortium acts as an umbrella to oversee prevention and early intervention programs and activities in Ozaukee County by including representatives from all sectors of the community.
2. Red Ribbon Campaign is an annual countywide effort coordinated by staff, other Consortium member sectors, and volunteers to raise awareness and build support for a drug-free lifestyle for youth.
3. Positive Parent Involvement (PPI)’s goal is to educate, motivate, and mobilize parents in implementing strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle for youth.
4. Assessments are a tool designed to examine an individual’s alcohol and/or other drug use habits.
5. Informal Intervention/Information/Referrals are offered to clients and their families.  A variety of resources are presented to the client(s).
6. Elementary/Middle School Level educational presentations.
7. Education and Discovery  includes a variety of information and an intervention series designed to assist a high school or middle school student in determining his/her own drug use or to assist with at-risk behaviors.
8. The Leading Exceptional Drug-free Lives (LEAD) is a countywide high school group in which members receive education, leadership skills and support for a drug-free lifestyle through meetings, training sessions and alternative activities.
9. Young Adult Groups are offered for 18 to 20-year-olds who receive first offense underage alcohol violations.

Starting Point of Ozaukee is working in the community to prevent or interrupt use by youth before they need treatment for addiction. Starting Point of Ozaukee is the starting point collaborating with other community resources to make a difference!

 

Living Everyday Alcohol and Drug-free (LEAD)

What is LEAD?
The Living Everyday Alcohol and Drug-free (LEAD) program began as a teen training program in 1978 and became PREP in 1980 and LEAD in 2007. LEAD is designed to address and reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use by underage youth.  LEAD is a countywide network of high school students who have agree to lead an ATOD-free lifestyle. Students renew this pledge annually. LEAD is based on the premise that peers are a major source of influence and information for one another.  Members receive ATOD education, leadership training, and support for a healthy lifestyle through fun alternative activities. 

How Can You Get Involved?
LEAD members may choose to participate in a variety of ATOD prevention activities.  These activities are divided into the following levels:

• Membership Level:  At this level, the LEAD member will make a commitment to live an ATOD-free lifestyle.  Students are expected to sign a contract to be alcohol, tobacco, and other drug-free, participate in activities and attend scheduled in-school education sessions.
• Educator Level:  Members may participate in cross-age education programs sharing their knowledge with 5th grade students. 
• Leadership Level:  Members may choose to participate in a leadership capacity by serving on the countywide Student Advisory Board.  The Advisory Board is the decision-making body of LEAD and is comprised of representatives from each of the five Ozaukee County high schools.
• Wisconsin WINS: Wisconsin WINS is a statewide coordinated effort involving youth and adult teams who visit tobacco retailers in every Wisconsin County. The teams evaluate whether businesses are complying with state laws regulating the sale of tobacco products.
• LEAD Voices: This committee meets once a month to coordinate community service events that are open to LEAD members. At every other meeting this committee has chosen to go into the community to volunteer and make a difference. The members that serve on this countywide committee have been nominated by the agency or school advisors because of their passion and active involvement in the program. Some of the past places of volunteering include: food pantries, Salvation Army, YMCA, and Senior Living homes.

What Does LEAD Mean To Students?
“LEAD is a great organization that has helped me stay alcohol, tobacco, and other drug-free.  There were times during this year when I was tempted to try drinking or pot, then I thought about LEAD and all the kids that are going to be in my place in a few years and I decided that I wanted to be a role model and make the harder choice by saying “NO.” And after going to the LEAD Conference, I felt strengthened in what I believe in.”

“What LEAD means to me is the opportunity to live the life I want to live. Everyone involved in the program is put at ease knowing that they are going to have an amazing time without being pushed by “friends” to use drugs or alcohol. By participating in LEAD, I can meet great people who feel the same way as I do. This helps me to choose positive friends for me to hang around with, instead of people who might get me in trouble. Simply, LEAD means a great ATOD-free experience with great people, and lots of fun.”

 

Success Stories

 

Esther's Story
A young lady named Esther came to the program her freshman year already having surpassed some hurdles in her life.  Esther was born in China, and was raised in an orphanage until the age of five when she was adopted by a family here in Grafton, Wisconsin.  She was also born with Spina Bifida.  She did not speak any English and her language barrier with parents and peers caused her great frustration and she would often have fits and act out.  Her physical disability often left her isolated from peers as well, when she literally could not keep up with them.  With the help of her supportive family, she was able to receive numerous therapies, counseling, English classes, and access to equipment such as a Segway.  However, as Esther approached the age where she was about to enter high school, a new concern began to arise. 

When students are often teased because of a physical disability or language difference, bullying and isolation can lead to feelings of angst and despair.  It becomes very easy for a youngster to become at-risk for engaging in negative behaviors, such as drinking, in order to cope with those experiences.  Esther was made aware of the LEAD program through a guidance counselor in her school that also serves as an advisor in LEAD. 

What attracted her to the program was its non-competitiveness. In a world where school clubs or groups often compete, Esther often felt left out because of her physical limitations.  But the LEAD program allowed her to shine by allowing her to flourish in something she truly believed in, remaining alcohol and drug-free.  Esther attended the alternative activities offered, volunteered at almost every opportunity she was given, and eventually accepted a leadership role on the Youth Advisory Board where she hoped to have greater influence in the program while reaffirming her own commitment.  Esther’s performance has peaked during her junior year when she was the recipient of the “Volunteer of the Year” award.  She was recognized for this achievement at an annual awards banquet and her story was featured in the local newspaper. 

Esther’s success has made her popular among her peers and has drawn attention to the other LEAD members who have already begun to dabble in the world of volunteerism.  Esther plans to continue her hard work in the LEAD program during her upcoming senior year.  We look forward to having her as well.

Other Stories
LEAD means to me that responsibility is a key factor of the program. It also means that to become a LEAD member means to become a leader of society and take the chance to tell people about what ways to help themselves or others from alcohol or drug abuse. What I learned from this LEAD experience is that leadership is the high power and being yourself is the main key thing in life. Also, that you are not alone.
- Grafton LEAD Member

LEAD means staying drug and alcohol free. I learned the health risks of drugs and alcohol giving me more reason to stay drug and alcohol free. LEAD also helps me understand that kids need to know how to deal with situations in a fun environment. I learned that you can have fun without drugs.
- Ozaukee LEAD Member

LEAD for me is a way to have fun and learn in a safe environment. It is good to know that there are others who are choosing to be drug-free. It’s great experience to make friends from other schools that have the same values as I do. I really enjoy talking to new people and getting to know them.
- Ozaukee LEAD Member

LEAD means a group that can relate to each other with the pressures of alcohol and social changes. We all face similar issues and can discuss them openly. From this experience I learned to open up, and meet new people. LEAD is a way to just relax for me. I never drank or did drugs in the past; so it is nice to be with people in the same boat.
- Port Washington LEAD Member

LEAD is a way to keep me drug-free/alcohol. This program helps me gain new friends and new experiences. I have learned to get out there more and talk to new people. Also, learn about other people and things going on in the world.
- Port Washington LEAD Member

 

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