Creating Harmony
Town Hall Meeting
“Creating Harmony: A Grassroots Discussion”
The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Chinese American Service League (CASL) are pleased to announce a Town Hall Meeting on Friday, March 12th, 2010. The Town Hall Meeting will take place from 2:30-5:00pm at CASL, located at 2141 S. Tan Court in Chicago. Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), will be the keynote speaker. The Asian Health Coalition would like to invite all community members, community based organizations, and all interested parties to attend. The event is free of charge.
The rate of Asian teen alcohol use is increasing at an astounding rate. According to the Illinois Youth Survey, 40% of 12th grade students in South Chinatown reported drinking regularly in 2009. This growing problem calls for parents and communities to do their part in helping prevent adolescent substance use.
The primary goal of this town hall meeting, “Creating Harmony: A Grassroots Discussion” is to take the first step in gathering the resources of Asian American communities in Chicago for building healthy families. We will feature a screening of “Creating Harmony,” a family strengthening parent education program that teaches parenting strategies for preventing substance abuse and encouraging healthy development among adolescents. The forum will provide an invaluable opportunity for parents, community leaders, youth workers, health and social service agencies, schools, and city and state officials to build relationships and generate fruitful discussions on positive parental strategies and solutions to the unique challenges that Asian American families face in raising healthy teens.
This Town Hall Meeting will tap into the strengths and resources of our community with the goal of developing family and community-focused prevention strategies. For further information, contact Meme Wang at 312-372-7070, ext 229.
Thank you to Meme, Julia and Heidi (Substance Abuse Prevention Program) for organizing this important community event, to the AHCI staff for their unending support, and to Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health Director for all his support for AHCI's mission.
As special thank you to the wonderful speakers:
Esther Wong, Executive Director, Chinese American Service League
Bechara Choucair, M.D., Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health
Phyllis Cavallone, M.A., Principal, St. Therese Chinese Catholic School
Kin Ching Kong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chicago School of Professional Psychology
