About Prevention Connections

Mission & Values and our Goals & Plans

When I reflect on how this coalition began, I am reminded of sitting in the Lexus Diner in Newburgh, New York, and hearing about the “Red Ribbon Week” campaign for the first time. I learned about Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, the dedicated Drug Enforcement Agent, father, husband, son, brother and friend who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the marijuana growers he had infiltrated in Mexico. Those closest to Kiki can tell you how fervently he believed in the power of one and our shared responsibility to make a difference in our communities.

The Beginning -- Hometown folks honor Camarena

The second part of the story was equally powerful. A group of high school students, teachers, and community members from Kiki’s small Southern California hometown met on the front steps of the local high school. In their outrage over this tragedy, each wore a red ribbon in his honor and vowed that his death and life would not be in vain.

What began as a small, public display of grief and love for their fallen hero soon became a National campaign supported by the National Family Partnership. For over fifteen years, Red Ribbon Week celebrations and activities throughout this country and abroad continue to celebrate the power of communities and our individual choice to be part of a solution.

From humble beginnings to Federal funding

Upon hearing this story, the Ulster County Red Ribbon Coalition was born! As many of you can attest to, there were years where we met in diners or the backroom at Deising’s to discuss how we were going to carry the message.

One event brought us to the next and so on, and so on. As support grew, so did our numbers.
Now, ten years later, we have a federal Drug-Free Communities grant to help us continue our work to make a difference in our community. We have more resources than ever before, and I am not referring to the financial ones that serve an important purpose. I am referring to each person, like you, who shares his valuable time and energy as we work together to make Ulster County’s communities healthy and drug-free.

Attached you’ll find information about our mission & values and our goals & plans.

Betsy Sinsapaugh
Project Coordinator

Our Board and Sponsoring Agency

Family Services, Inc. sponsors Prevention Connections and provides services to strengthen individuals and families throughout the mid-Hudson Valley. FSI is an affiliate of Families First NY.

Our Board:

Our Funding

Prevention Connections receives funding through the US Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA Drug-Free Communities grant program and through the the generosity of Ulster County private citizens and businesses.

We welcome your contributions.