Paulette Orlando: Coalition Member Spotlight
This quarter’s coalition member spotlight is on Paulette Orlando.
Paulette is a Community Engagement Specialist at the Tobacco Action Coalition of LI (TACLI). As a Community Engagement Specialist, she partners with Long Island businesses, organizations, and coalitions to create positive community changes that address tobacco use. TACLI receives funding from the NYS Tobacco Control Program through the American Lung Association of the Northeast. TACLI is dedicated to creating tobacco-free policies to promote healthier environments across Long Island. Additionally, they provide free educational materials on tobacco use and cessation to local agencies and schools.
INCREASING COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE
Paulette has been working with the Riverhead Community Coalition since 2017. Over the years, she has become an indispensable member by supporting coalition projects and committees. During this past year, Paulette was active on the Data, Cannabis, and Meet and Greet Committees. Her insights helped plan and execute the last two Meet and Greet events, which increased the coalition’s relationship and presence with the Riverhead community.
Paulette is also essential in increasing community knowledge. In 2022, she partnered with the Riverhead Youth Coalition (RYC) and the New York National Guard to perform beach clean-ups at local Riverhead beaches. RYC conducts these events annually in recognition of International Coastal Cleanup Month. Members place flags of different colors, denoting different substances found on the beaches. This activity is key to collecting local data to inform strategies that address substance misuse at these locations.
Riverhead Community Coalition Coordinator Isabella Marcucci recently sat down with Paulette 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 because I love how the coalition leverages its relationships within the community to have measurable outcomes in addressing substance use. The coalition is very welcoming and does a wonderful job engaging its youth and adult members to make meaningful contributions to the Riverhead community.”
What is Your Favorite Coalition Activity?
“My favorite coalition activity is the Meet and Greet! I love how the event engages the members of the Riverhead Youth Coalition, and we all get to see the amazing work they do all year! I am always impressed by the youth projects and presentations.”
Name Three Words That Best Describe You
“Caring. Dedicated. Empathetic.”
Besides coalition work, What else Do you Like To DO?
“I enjoy being active and doing yoga! I also love baking, reading, and spending time with my family. As a Reiki Practitioner and a Master Certified Holistic Health Counselor, I love the healing component it adds to my work.”
Interested in learning more about coalition membership?
To learn more about joining the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth, contact Isabella Marcucci at (631) 727-3722 ext. 106, or Isabella.Marcucci@RiverheadCAP.org.
