Beth Maccagli is March’s Coalition Member of the Month
Beth Maccagli is March’s Coalition Member of the Month, representing our Government Sector.
Beth serves as the youth counselor for the Riverhead Town Police Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Education degree from Dowling College. Prior to her position at the police department, Beth was a prevention educator for third graders within Riverhead Central School District. She has also worked in the foster care system as a family case manager, foster care and adoption caseworker, and has prepared home studies for perspective foster families. Beth says her most important job was as a stay at home mom. She has been married for 32 years, has three grown children and one granddaughter.
providing youth COnnections and opportunities
Although she has worked for the Riverhead Police Department for the past 13 years, Beth Maccagli’s office is located in Riverhead Middle School. She works directly with at-risk students by assisting them with life skills and offering guidance. Additional highlights include acting as liaison between the police department, probation department, family court and the school district. This allows her to stay directly connected to the agencies assisting youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system. Keeping open communication between agencies allows for quicker interventions and appropriate referrals for youth in need.
Beth also serves as the Riverhead Town Youth Court coordinator. Youth Court offers an alternative to the Juvenile Justice system as well as opportunities for youth to become involved in the many aspects of the law enforcement field. She is also a member of the East End Partnership for Youth, the Sheriff’s re-entry task force, and the Suffolk County Youth Bureau Coordinating Council.
Long-Term partnerships with CAP
Beth Maccagli has worked directly with Riverhead CAP for the past 19 years. As a prevention educator, she collaborated with CAP in 2001 for a STOP DWI program. Currently she assists with Riverhead CAP’s Life Skills Training (LST) program, providing weekly training over thirty-five eighth grade peer leaders annually. The peer leaders, together with adult volunteers, deliver the monthly program to fifth grade students at Pulaski Street School. Beth also partners with CAP to facilitate a two-day Summer Workshop for new peer leaders, an intensive one-day Alcohol Workshop, and a new two-day Peer Leader Skills Workshop during the summer.
a key coalition contributor
Beth Maccagli has been a member of the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth since its establishment. She is a key contributor to many successful initiatives and has worked to increase collaboration with various sectors of the community. Beth is an active member of the coalition’s Meet and Greet Committee. Each year, she partners with Youth-Serving Sector representative Liz Keller and Riverhead Youth Coalition members to develop an innovative project that educates attendees about the coalition’s work. The project also serves as a call to action for community members to get involved. The Sixth Annual Meet and Greet Event will take place on Thursday, April 16th.
Riverhead Community Coalition Coordinator Kelly Miloski recently sat down with Beth Maccagli to talk about her experience with the coalition. Here are the highlights:
why did you become involved in the coalition?
“I initially got involved in the coalition because I had been working with Riverhead CAP since 2001. As an advocate for prevention education, helping the coalition promote a safe environment for our community is a perfect fit for me. I’ve always joked that I am the adopted child of CAP, because they always treat me as part of their CAP family. Now I feel like the Riverhead Community Coalition is an extended part of that family!”
What is your favorite coalition Activity?
“I love the Meet and Greet event! The perimeter of the huge room showcases all of the accomplishments of the coalition in fun and creative ways. It is a well-attended event; there are a lot of community members representing all sectors mingling and networking for the same reason. The presentation at the end wraps it all up and the youth presentation always has such a significant impact on everyone.”
Name Three Words That Best Describe You.
“Patient, loyal, and hard working.”
What adventures are still on Your Bucket List?
“I want to write a children’s book and I want to travel to exotic places.”
Besides Coalition Work, What Else do You Like To DO?
“I love being outside as much as possible. I play in a family volleyball league, repurpose stuff I find at garage sales, and I just learned how to knit. Most importantly, I love hanging out with my family.”
Interested in learning more about coalition membership?
To learn more about joining the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth , contact Kelly Miloski at (631) 727-3722 ext. 106 or Kelly.Miloski@RiverheadCAP.org.
