What’s Happening

This quarter’s coalition member spotlight is on Georgianna Dolan-Reilly, LMSW. Georgianna has been a Community Development Specialist at the Long Island Prevention Resource Center since 2014. She and her team work to provide support to coalitions throughout Long Island. They provide resources and guidance to coalitions to address the effects of alcohol and substance abuse in communities.

Georgianna provides training and technical assistance to coalitions in Suffolk County. This includes anything from providing clarification on new and existing laws, increasing coalition capacity, and making coalition work fun and engaging. Georgianna and her team provide training on any topic a coalition may need, including the Strategic Prevention Framework, Evidence-Based Practices, and Prevention Science. The Strategic Prevention Framework is used by coalitions that receive Drug-Free Communities grants, like Riverhead.

PROVIDING COALITION SUPPORT

Georgianna has provided support to the Riverhead Community Coalition since 2014. She is the go-to for anything data- or law-related. She goes above and beyond to provide support and guidance. In addition, Georgianna is a member of multiple subcommittees, including the Marijuana, Meet and Greet Planning, and Evaluation Committees. The Evaluation Committee oversees data collection methods and the Action Plan.

Georgianna works diligently to provide training for the coalition. This year, Georgianna and the PRC will provide multiple trainings to coalition members on different prevention science topics. Georgianna’s goal is to make prevention science equitable and accessible in a way that resonates with community members.

Riverhead Community Coalition Coordinator Isabella Marcucci recently sat down with Georgianna Dolan-Reilly to talk about her experience with the coalition. Here are the highlights:

WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE COALITION?

“I got involved with the coalition, and have stayed involved because I appreciate how the coalition works with the community. The Riverhead Coalition works hard to make the work transparent and involve community members at all levels. We don’t work for the community; we work with them.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COALITION ACTIVITY?

“My favorite coalition activity is whenever we share our work with the community. We have a really unique way of sharing information while still engaging community members through gamification (making a game out of the information). Whether it’s a quiz, bingo, or jeopardy, the coalition puts a fun spin on expressing the information. I love being able to learn about the wonderful things Riverhead is accomplishing within the community while having fun.”

NAME THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOU.

“Curious. Integrity. Collaborative.” 

BESIDES COALITION WORK, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

“I am a chronic hobby starter,” says Georgianna. “I pick up a hobby, put it down for a few months, then pick it back up. But I love anything creative, like crocheting, needlepoint, or watercolors. I also like outdoor activities, like birding and foraging. I recently made a pesto from ingredients I foraged.”

Interested in learning more about coalition membership?

Contact Isabella Marcucci at (631) 727-3722 ext. 106, or Isabella.Marcucci@RiverheadCAP.org.