TTASC loves to showcase the work of those within the prevention community and their professional/personal journey. This month we were excited to showcase one of our own, Associate Consultant, David Reyes!
TTASC: What does prevention mean to you?
Reyes: Prevention means to me raising awareness of the consequences of substance use and the alternatives ways of having a good time that are substance free.
TTASC: How did you get interested in the prevention field?
Reyes: I started as a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) with the West Hartford coalition under the Partnership for Success Initiative while working on my undergraduate degree in Anthropology.
TTASC: What has been your career journey since being a Youth a Peer Advocate?
Reyes: Since I was a YPA, I received my master’s degree in Social Work and worked with several non-profit organizations such as the Community Research Alliance and the Hartford Food System. Those experiences allowed me to work in communities on research and survey and data collection that was used to inform their coalition work. From there, a former colleague from my time in West Hartford reached out to me where I was informed of the TTASC position I am currently in. The availability of opportunity within the prevention field fit within my career exploration and aspirations.
TTASC: What, if anything, do you consider your area of specialty (e.g., priority substance, populations, coalition work, training).
Reyes: I feel young and new to the field, but I would love for it to be community organizing and coalition building. From my education and experience, I have the theoretical skills and the implementation of foundational research that informs coalition work.
TTASC: What do you like most about your job?
Reyes: Working with the coalitions and collaborating in communities. Getting to know so many different towns throughout the state of Connecticut and brainstorming with them on ideas.
TTASC: What advice would you give someone entering the prevention field?
Reyes: To be able to answer the question of “why do you want to do this work”? What skills do you want to build? Answering those questions will assist you with setting a path for yourself within the field.
TTASC: Describe a recent prevention accomplishment in Connecticut (statewide or local) that caught your attention.
Reyes: A recent CT accomplishment is the work that municipalities are doing within their zoning on cannabis dispensaries and their locations. How each municipality is advocating, sometimes in a different way, on if or where they will locate dispensaries is a prevention effort I find interesting.
TTASC: As you know May is Mental Health Awareness month. What are some ways that you practice your own self-care and work life balance?
Reyes: I am deep into hobbies. Some examples are that I bought a sewing machine and would like to learn the process of making and designing something of my own. I started roller-skating. I love to hike, build campfires, and cook and eat outdoors. I would like to have a chicken coop one day. Really spending time outdoors, time with my family, traveling, and a variety of activities.
TTASC: From your time as a YPA and now working with coalitions, what are some ideas communities and coalitions can incorporate while observing Mental Health Awareness Month?
Reyes: Activity days where you invite youth and families to substance free fun while taking the opportunity to provide education materials and awareness resources to them and the community.
