White House Champion of Change Award: White House Honors Safe & Sound
Last week, the White House named Barbara Notestein, Executive Director of Safe & Sound, a Champion of Change for the organization’s innovative and unique approach to addressing drug abuse and drug-related crime in Milwaukee.
The “Champions of Change Series: Winning the Future Across America” is a White House initiative that honors Americans making an impact in their communities and helping the nation rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st Century. Notestein, along with nine other award recipients, met on August 5 with National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske at the White House to discuss their initiatives and to share best practices from their work in their communities.
In remarks about Safe & Sound, Kerlikowske stated,” This program is a unique, effective and shining example of how community efforts can reduce drug use and its consequences. Safe & Sound is an example of a local community taking action and addressing this issue head on.”
Notestein said, “This White House honor recognizes the outstanding work of Safe & Sound’s staff and the strong partnerships we in Milwaukee have developed to address a serious community issue. It is gratifying and thrilling to receive the attention of national leaders for our efforts.”
Safe & Sound employs a three pronged approach to reducing crime and building strong neighborhoods in 21 of Milwaukee neighborhoods with the highest incidence of crime. The strategy supports positive youth and leadership development at 28 after-school Safe Places, community mobilization and neighborhood problem-solving conducted by Safe & Sound’s Community Partners staff, and strong partnerships with law enforcement including the Milwaukee HIDTA, Milwaukee Police Department, the D.A.s Community Prosecution Unit and others.
Safe & Sound is featured in ONDCP’s 2011 National Drug Control Strategy as a model of collaboration among law enforcement, residents, and youth- serving organizations and in 2010 was awarded the Outstanding Prevention Award by ONDCP. The Strategy is a national blueprint for reducing substance abuse and its consequences such as crime.
“Safe & Sound empowers both adults and youth, supporting them in creating strategies to reduce drug use and drug related crime,” stated Notestein.
“I am grateful to Safe & Sound’s staff, Board of Directors, and most especially Milwaukee’s youth and adult residents for their partnerships with Safe & Sound and efforts to join with us in making Milwaukee a safe place to live, work and raise a family.”
VIDEO: Champions of Change
