Thirty years ago, a group of dedicated community members came together with a shared belief: when a community works together, young people thrive.
That belief became the Clarkston Coalition for Youth.
What began as a small but passionate effort has grown into a powerful community force dedicated to prevention, education, and awareness around youth risk behaviors. From substance misuse prevention to mental health awareness and family support, the coalition has spent three decades building programs and partnerships that protect and empower young people.
But the coalition’s success has never been about one organization. It has always been about community collaboration.
Parents, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, local leaders, and youth themselves have worked side by side to create a culture that supports healthy choices. Together, they have helped shape initiatives that strengthen families, educate students, and provide the tools young people need to navigate challenges safely.
Behind many events, programs, and educational initiatives in the Clarkston area, you’ll often find the coalition quietly doing the work that makes a difference. Whether it’s providing prevention education in schools, supporting parents with resources, organizing awareness campaigns, or partnering with local organizations, the coalition has consistently worked behind the scenes to strengthen the fabric of the community.
Over the years, partnerships with organizations like the Alliance of Healthy Communities have helped expand the coalition’s reach and impact. Through collaboration, shared resources, and coordinated efforts across Oakland County, the coalition has been able to bring evidence-based prevention strategies and meaningful community education to Clarkston families.
These partnerships allow the coalition to do what it does best: create prevention strategies that empower families and help young people make healthy choices before problems begin.
Prevention work is not always visible. It happens in conversations, in classrooms, in community meetings, and in the small but meaningful moments when a parent learns how to talk to their child about substance use or when a teen finds support instead of pressure.
For thirty years, the Clarkston Coalition for Youth has been dedicated to building a community where young people feel supported, informed, and empowered.
And the work is far from over.
Later this year, the coalition will invite the community to celebrate three decades of impact at its 30th Anniversary Gala. Plans are currently underway, with sponsorship opportunities, ticket information, and additional details to be announced soon..
Because when a community invests in its youth, everyone benefits.
And Clarkston has been doing exactly that for thirty years.
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