Lemont Drug Prevention Program Vying for $25,000 State Farm Grant

A new program held close to many hearts in Lemont is in the running for a grant that could help extend its reach and touch more lives.

Led by Hope and Friendship Foundation’s Terri O’Neill-Borders, the (not)Invincible program last month held its first community event designed to increase alcohol and drug prevention, intervention, and aftercare. But they’re just getting started.

The group is competing for the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant, a national online contest to decide which 40 causes focused on education, safety, or community development will receive $25,000 grants. Voting began May 14 and continues through June 3.

Click here to vote.

Program leaders were compelled to do something for their community—one left reeling from the alcohol- or drug-related deaths of five young males in late 2014.

“None of these five men were connected—they each had their own stories and struggles that were independent of one another. ... There are so many facets of this problem within the Lemont community that it will really take the work of many dedicated people to make a difference.”

The group’s first event included speakers and community groups recruited to bring the issues before the community, and provide support for those dealing with addiction in some manner.

“The $25,000 would allow us to bring in bigger names in the prevention and treatment field,” (not)Invincible wrote in their contest entry. “We could offer financial support and incentives for families in need. We would be able to advertise and create promotional materials that address our mission.’

The organization would seek to plan at least two community events per year, using the grant money to fund finding presenters, renting community space, providing incentives for attendance, and marketing. Our goal would be to have at least 2 community education events per year. The grant could feasibly last multiple years, and our hope would be to reach out to additional donors for future support after the State Farm grant runs out, according to their entry.

“Our community is desperate for this information and support network,” the group wrote in its entry. “It is almost impossible to consider the reach that a program like this may have.”

Initiatives include crisis intervention, and drug and addiction education.

“Our goal is to vary the message and the method with each community event, increasing the likelihood that we will reach the right person at the right time. The impact truly could be exponential over the next few months or years.”

Click here to vote for (not)Invincible.