NECASA announces regional winners of the 23rd Annual Volunteer with Youth Awards and the winners of the 10th Annual Judith Nilan Awards

Northeast Communities Against Substance Abuse (NECASA) announced that two winners have been selected for the 23rd Annual Volunteer with Youth Awards from northeastern Connecticut. The Volunteer with Youth Awards are given to those individuals who have shown exemplary volunteer service to youth in the region. In prevention science, it is proven that young people who have solid adult role models are better able to cope with the stress of daily life and to avoid unhealthy behaviors including drug use and abuse.

Victoria Embree: Victoria Embree has been a Boy Scout leader for Troop 27 in Woodstock for 19 years. She has served as an instructor, mentor and cheerleader for hundreds of Boy Scouts during that time period. Her leadership has nurtured many scouts, including Eagle Scouts that have chosen her as the most influential person in their scouting achievements.  She believes in raising “men of character”. Victoria is estimated to spend 30-40 hours monthly as a scout volunteer and her commitment has included nights, weekends and entire weeklong programs. 

Joseph Couture: Joe Couture has been the unit commander of the Natchaug Valley Young Marines since 2011, and the Assistant Division Commander since 2013. His involvement in the Young Marine’s ’program dates back to 2007.  Under Joe’s leadership the Young Marines have participated in many community service projects. His unit was named the National Young Marine Unit of the year in 2015. 

Joe is involved in many activities including drug prevention efforts with NECASA, Putnam PRIDE and Griswold PRIDE and serves on the board of Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW) and the local Juvenile Review Board. It is estimated that Joe spends 40 hours weekly in his volunteer efforts.

10th Annual Judith Nilan Awards

The Judith Nilan Awards are given to school personnel for their commitment to promoting substance abuse prevention and positive youth development in their school. The Award is named after Judy Nilan, the former social worker at Woodstock Middle School, who was murdered in 2005. 

Lisa Mooney: Lisa Mooney is the social worker at Putnam High School. In 2009, Lisa started the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) group at the high school. Many programs have been brought to the High School due to Lisa’s leadership including speakers, safety demonstrations and murals. She has taken students to forums in Washington D.C. for both SADD and for Putnam PRIDE anti-drug coalition and has included students in leadership symposiums locally and nationally.  Lisa’s work and her encouragement have helped bring out the potential in her students. 

Charles “Chuck” Leavens: Chuck Leavens is a counselor at E.O. Smith High School and has served as a counselor for youth in Mansfield for more than 30 years. Chuck serves as the adviser to the Peer Natural Helpers group at E.O. Smith which promote a healthy school climate for all. He is also the creator and coordinator of the challenge program in which middle school students go on a multi-day adventure trip on the Appalachian Trail. The entire focus of Chuck’s professional life has been the young people in Mansfield and he is recognized for his unique ability to connect with teens.