Amesbury 

 

ABOUT US

PACT is a youth-focused substance prevention coalition that brings together teens and adults in Amesbury to collaboratively address issues that may contribute to youth substance use. To create lasting change, we engage multiple sectors of the community to reduce and prevent substance-related challenges through awareness, education, and action, tailored to be culturally inclusive and age-appropriate.

 

MISSON

To cultivate community-wide collaboration between young people and adults aimed at preventing and reducing youth substance use through open dialogue, data collection, resource sharing, problem-solving, and collective action.

VISION

To foster a community in Amesbury where empathy and understanding thrive, and young people are guided by networks of involved adults. Through meaningful connections and support, they will build confidence, a strong sense of self, and a hopeful perspective on their future.

Funding

In 2020 the City of Amesbury received a five-year Drug-Free Community grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fully fund PACT’s efforts. Annually, PACT receives $125,000 to fund our prevention efforts and pay our staff. In 2025, we will reapply for a five year extension and, upon approval, our efforts will be funded through 2030.

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Amesbury in Action

PACT Creates 'Vape Quit Kits"

The kits contain items to help curb cravings for those quitting smoking or vaping. PACT hopes to make them available to the entire community.

Annual Youth Retreat

ECAB Network hosted the Annual Youth Retreat where youth from four school districts come together to learn how they can make a positive impact in their communities.

PACT Closes a Successful Red Ribbon Week

Over 65 students from AHS and AIHS took the Pledge!

 

Youth Council

Youth Council is a dynamic and empowering platform designed to amplify the voices of young individuals, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond. The council serves as a hub for leadership development, civic engagement, and creative problem-solving.

Through regular meetings, workshops, and collaborative projects, Youth Council provides its members with opportunities to develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Members work closely with local leaders, organizations, and peers to address issues that matter most to their generation, such as education, climate change, mental health, and social equity.

By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, Youth Council not only nurtures future leaders but also ensures that the unique perspectives and ideas of young people are integrated into decision-making processes. Together, they create innovative solutions and drive positive change within their communities, inspiring others to do the same.

Amesbury Survey Data

Every two years youth in grades 6-12 are surveyed to get a sense of the strengths and needs of the young people in the Network. This survey includes a measure of the 40 Developmental Assets (protective factors) as well as questions about risky behaviors such as alcohol or drug use and time spent watching screens. There are also questions about stress, anxiety and mental health. This data gives us a picture of the highest needs of our young people and programming is built to support those needs. This packet includes the results from the 2023 administration of this survey. We feel it is important for everyone in the community to have access to this data and join in the conversation about how we can support the youth and families in our communities.

Results from the 2023 Attitudes and Behaviors Survey

The Team

Kelly McKora

Kelly McKora

Program Coordinator

Kelly McKora (they/them) is a substance use counselor and program coordinator for the Partnership of Amesbury Community and Teens (PACT). Kelly believes in the potential of youth to enact positive change in our community and emphasizes that when young people and adults work together, everyone can experience a common bond of belonging. We all want to feel accepted, and when we do, we feel better about ourselves. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys attending concerts and spending quality time with their toddler, finding joy in both music and family life.

 

Jackie Deorocki

Jackie Deorocki

Youth Coordinator

Jackie Deorocki (she/her) is a the Youth Coordinator for PACT. Jackie grew up and spent most of her life in Amesbury and has always loved being a part of the amazing community.  She has had many different positions within in the community including a Mental Health Counselor at AJH, and Social Work Assistant at the Pettengill House as well as a Para at the AIHS.  Jackie absolutely loves working with youth and seeing them connect with the community and find their voices.

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About Us The Essex County Asset Builder (ECAB) Network creates regional connections and supports for individuals, families and organizations from Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and Newburyport, in using a positive youth development approach to help youth thrive. Positive Youth Development Being a part of the ECAB Network brings local and regional opportunities.  Locally, communities have access to trainings, data, and best practices, and receive guidance on implementation and outreach strategies that build positive youth development possibilities.  Communities also get the benefit of regionalizing efforts, where networking, combining resources, current policies, and a shared vision strengthen the towns and cities as well as the region. History Recently, the communities of Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and Newburyport came together to form the Essex County Asset Builder Network.  Funded by a three year grant, the goal of this Network is to create a common language of asset- based youth development (creating protective factors). It has been shown that youth who have more assets are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.  This grant will use the 40 Developmental Assets framework to build these protective factors and reduce risk behaviors by focusing on both the youth and the environment that shapes them. The community partnership will enhance the great work already being done to support youth and families, as well as expand community supports, opportunities, and resources. Additionally, the grant will collect and disseminate regional data, coordinate shared resources and bring educational opportunities for various sectors of the community. Goal To spread the philosophy and practice of the positive youth development approach through implementation of 40 Developmental Asset framework within communities across the region. We will accomplish this goal by: Mission To use a positive youth development approach to build networks within each community and across the region that help decrease risk behaviors in youth and produce a healthier community. Vision A network of communities that welcome, value and empower youth through meaningful opportunities and collaborative efforts to support and strengthen youth assets and increase healthy decision making.