Local prevention coalition and crisis-service provider outline youth programs, donor drives and April events

At the public-comment portion of the meeting, Chris Rankin described the Best You Coalition’s local efforts since 2018, saying the coalition received a Partnership for Success grant and a 2023 Drug Free Communities grant to support youth leadership, merchant alcohol and tobacco training, and community outreach. He invited residents to a free family day on April 12 and noted a Keokuk Parent Café scheduled for April 16.

A stewardship coordinator for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services (address withheld for client safety) asked the council to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and reviewed services the agency provides to Lee County residents, including a 24-hour hotline, mobile advocacy, emergency pet sheltering and a Keokuk shelter serving families. The coordinator read elements of a proclamation and cited several service statistics the agency recorded last fiscal year (22 sexual-assault clients receiving 444 service interactions). The presenter promoted two volunteer/awareness events: Shop for Survivors on April 8 (advocates at Hy-Vee, 3:30–6:30 p.m.) and the Clothesline Project at the Keokuk Public Library on April 13 (1:00–4:00 p.m.).

Council members asked how the groups reach residents; the presenters said they rely on social media, partnerships with the health department and community organizations, and a 24/7 hotline card distributed after the presentations. The stewardship coordinator provided contact cards and offered to share the hotline number after the meeting.

Next steps: Council received the information; event dates and volunteer opportunities were shared publicly by the presenters.