FAMILY WELLNESS OUTREACH CENTER OF MISSISSIPPI INC

Programs

1. Thriving teens reaching to connect: the organization implemented the thriving teens reaching to connect (srae) program in lowndes, clay, and chickasaw counties in northeast mississippi. The program is designed to reduce teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (stis/stds, including hiv), by equipping youth with the knowledge and skills to refrain from non-marital sexual activity and make healthy relationship decisions. The program used evidence-based choosing the best and real essentials curricula for middle and high school students. During the reporting period, 168 youth in grades 5-12 received healthy relationship instruction through the program. In addition, six youth were enrolled in the youth leadership council (ylc). Community outreach efforts included distributing 676 educational materials and delivering 10 presentations promoting abstinence, pregnancy prevention, healthy relationships, and healthy decision-making. The organization also convened a community advisory group (cag) meeting to facilitate collaboration among schools, parents, and community stakeholders. Through these convenings, cag members and school representatives provided feedback that supported…

   $445,791 spent$425,607 earned by the program
   57% of program spending

2. Thriving teens enhancing school capacity to prevent violence: the organization implemented the thriving teens enhancing school capacity to prevent violence (ojjdp) program in the columbus municipal school district in columbus, mississippi, delivering age-appropriate prevention education to students. The program incorporated components of the be the change, be a buddy not a bully, and real essentials curricula. In addition, the organization developed a supplemental curriculum for k-5 students focused on social-emotional learning and anti-bullying skills. Program content emphasized healthy relationships, empathy, conflict resolution, and non-violent communication, while reinforcing the negative consequences of aggressive behavior and building practical interpersonal skills. These efforts were designed to promote a school climate grounded in respect, accountability, and positive, pro-social behavior. During the reporting period, 1,034 students completed violence prevention programming. The organization delivered 9 parent-focused violence- prevention workshops, reaching 278 parents and caregivers and equipping them with tools to support safe and healthy environments for youth.…

   $320,335 spent$341,025 earned by the program
   41% of program spending

3. Field or fentanyl: the organization serves as the fiscal agent for the field or fentanyl initiative, which provides youth development opportunities and community- based support to reduce youth substance use and strengthen family and communty well-being. Through collaboration with local community partners in lee county, the initiative works to prevent youth use of alcohol, marijuana, fentanyl, and opioids by providing resources and programs that encourage healthy decision-making and reduce harmful behaviors. The initiative also promotes resilience and social development by providing youth with constructive alternatives and supportive community engagement. To reduce financial barriers to participation, the organization provided essential football equipment and scholarships to 14 disadvantaged children, enabling them to participate in structured extracurricular activities associated with positive youth development and substance use prevention. The initiative was further supported by 22 volunteers serving as coaches and mentors, helping strenghten community support systems for children and families.

   $11,922 spent$8,745 earned by the program
   2% of program spending

4. Lee county drug-free community coalition: the organization established the thrive together/lee county drug-free community coalition program to strengthen a 12-sector community coalition through collaboration among schools, parents, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, youth-serving organizations, and other community stakeholders, with the goal of preventing and reducing youth use of alcohol, marijuana, and opioids in lee county. The coalition recruited 19 volunteers to support prevention planning, outreach, and community engagement activities. Through prevention education, outreach, and community engagement activities, the coalition will reach at least 1,000 individuals with substance use prevention services and messaging, contributing to increased awareness, improved youth engagement, and strengthened community capacity to address substance use.

The 4 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $778,048.