Mercer Council News

Greetings to our Mercer Council Family, Extended Family, Community Partners and Mercer County Community - It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us.  It has been a tumultuous year, filled with pain, suffering, sickness, loss, unpredictability, financial instability, social/physical isolation, among other hardships.  With these things, however, has come a sense of deep...

On October 29,2020 Program Coordinators, Amy Argiriou,and Vanessa DeRosa presented a webinar on Parental Empowerment: Combating Substance Abuse In Young  Adolescents.The webinar focused on a discussion on the dangers of underage drinking, effects of alcohol and drugs on the developing brain, and how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. We know with the pandemic, working from home, po...

I had the pleasure of hosting our weekly Parenting series centered around peer pressure. With stories shared and valuable input from participants, I am excited to know the potential for this prorgram.  This is the first session on Peer Pressure in General- A New Persepctive, that premiered on Thursday, November 12th, on our YouTub Channel:    This is what the rest of the series will...

(Graphic from Cannibisinvestor) Although not completely unexpected, the marijuana amendment to the New Jersey Constitution passed by 67% of voters in favor. While many feel this will ameliorate the travesty of racial injustice, and be a boon to all economies, those in prevention remain cautiously skeptical. Injustices with racial biases need to be addressed, but a sweeping amendment like this may ...

This past week, I was honored to be invited to share space with Stacey Ross and Marc North of Recovery Advocates of America on their show, 'The Fix'.  In addition to their roles at Recovery Advocates, Stacey and Marc are also Recovery Specialists on Mercer Council's OORP Team.  Through both of their roles, they are well versed in all things recovery and we are lucky to have their voices....

Mercer Council is currently interviewing qualified candidates to fill two openings in our Available School Youth Services Support Team (ASYSST) School Based Youth Services Program at Ewing High School!   Both positions allow for freedom to create a variety of activities and programming to support the school community, students and families as they navigate the high school years and challenges...

  As the world is changing and while it looks different from even ten years ago, I will try to effectively convey the difficulty in growing up in this tech world. Peer pressure looks different than it did a generation ago. Starting Thursday, November 12th at 12 pm to 1 pm, I will be hosting a weekly parenting meeting where I will discuss peer pressure in today’s youth. I will touch on many to...

Small ways you can give back to our community during this season of giving thanks:   Purchase a Reusable Give Back Where it counts Bag at ACME Supporting local non-profits has never been more important than it is right now! Give back to your local community by purchasing a $3.00 reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag at the ACME located at 953 NJ - 33, Hamilton Square, NJ&...

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mercer Council staff wore pink and spent a portion of our weekly staff meeting discussing the importance of prioritizing health and how Council's work in substance use prevention education impacts the overall health and well-being of every individual.  Studies show that a woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with the more alcohol she ...

  For many of us, 2020 has been like no other in recent memory. Public health restrictions caused by the crippling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have led to cancelled sporting events, concerts and other leisure activities we were accustomed to enjoying. Many vacations, graduations, and large celebrations have been put on hold, or eliminated. Despite the adjustments caused by th...

  We are pleased to report that in early October, Governor Phil Murphy devised a last minute budget adjustment with the support of  several legislative leaders that  approved the restoration of the School Based Youth Service Program!  This decision results in the restoration of Mercer Council’s ASYSST Program and nearly 100 other school based youth service programs, effective O...

Please join us on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 10am to take part in a 1 hour webinar on combating substance abuse in today's young adolescents. This webinar will be presented by Vanessa DeRosa, Protecting You, Protecting Me Program Coordinator and Amy Argiriou, Botvin's Life Skills Training Program Coordinator. Topics to be discussed include the dangers of underage drinking, effects of alcohol an...

If you ask anyone in prevention about how they feel about the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, and 80% of them will answer with the same phrase- I am worried about the mixed messages being sent to youth. And they aren’t wrong.  Legalization of marijuana is a mix of emotions no matter where it is discussed- it is touted as the savior of economies and social/racial injustice, a r...

Have a healthy family recipe you think is above the rest? It's time to put it to the test and show others why yours is best! Reminder to all students in grades K-5 that recipe submissions are still being accepted now until November 2, 2020. Students who submit their recipes will receive a goodie bag filled with Mercer Council items and will be automatically entered to win 1 of 3 $25 ShopRite gift ...

  This November, and earlier, considering mail-in ballots, voters are casting votes to amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 or older, or as many refer to it, cannabis. Here are some general facts about marijuana and the legalization process that may require more consideration. Marijuana has been a Schedule 1 drug that has been outlawed for any...

  In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mercer Council staff wore pink and spent a portion of our weekly staff meeting discussing the importance of prioritizing health and how Council's work in substance use prevention enducation impacts the overall health and well-being of every individual.  Here at Mercer Council we strive each day to offer programming to foster a healthy, safe ...

  This November, and earlier considering mail-in ballots, voters are casting votes to amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow recreational use of marijuana, or as many refer to it, cannabis.  “ The interpretive statement is as follows: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called “cannabis”? O...

The Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP) team has been hard at work during the pandemic, ensuring that the invaluable Recovery Support services typically provided, continue to be available, accessible and effective no matter what challenges and barriers are going on in the world right now. The Mercer OORP team has worked with 921 individuals to ...

Food is an essential element for survival and especially now in these uncertain times, food can increase closeness and unite families and communities through sharing meals together. National Eat Better, Eat Together month serves to promote healthy eating habits among individuals of all ages. The benefits of families who frequently eat dinner together (at least five times per week) include improved...

Mercer Council team members Malissa Arnold, Jocelyn Cooper and David DeCamp all spent their Saturday supporting strong community partner, Recovery Advocates of America as they hosted their 8th Annual 5k Fundraising Walk/Run.  Despite the pandemic, Recovery Advocates safely hosted another very popular and well attended event (over 400 participants!!), that not only raises awareness about subst...