About Us

Guiding Principles

Steering Committee

About Us

The Coalition Steering Committee and volunteers include (front row, from left) Karen Zucker, Marcy Hockfield, Karen Shapiro, Eileen Riddell, Tracy Siravo, Linda Doucette-Ashman, (second row) Maura Ciccarelli, Paula Singer, Karen Dunkman, Allie Volinsky(Harriton '09), Rachel Cramer (Lower Merion '09), Wendy Cramer, Kate Cornwell, Gail Wright, (third row) Doug Young, and Bruce Barner. (Not shown: Kisha Galloway, Fran Hoover, Art Levy, Pat Norton, MarciaTaylor, Crystal Uter, Jessica Weisbrot, and May Lample.)

The Coalition for Youth of Lower Merion and Narberth is a partnership of community agencies and individuals working together to foster an atmosphere where children feel safe, secure, and included.

Since 1999, The Coalition for Youth of Lower Merion and Narberth has worked with Lower Merion and Narberth residents; public and private schools; municipal, state and federal governments; business and religious organizations; mental and physical health professionals, and law enforcement officials.

We provide programs and resources to build assets in our children, our families, and our community, to help reduce stress, alcohol use, drug use, violence, and other risky behavior among youth. We are increasing and strengthening our coalition through public meetings, an active central steering committee, an extended advisory committee, bringing in additional sponsors from area organizations, and dedicated community volunteers.

Coalition Members include: The Agnes Irwin School, The Baldwin School, The Episcopal Academy, Friends' Central School, The Haverford School, The Lower Merion School District, and The Shipley School, in conjunction with Lower Merion Township, the business community, religious organizations, adolescent health professionals, and state and federal government representatives.

For more details, please call our information line at (484) 337-8731 or e-mail us at info@coalitionforyouthlmn.org.

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Guiding Principles

Our Mission: The Coalition for Youth of Lower Merion and Narberth is a partnership of community agencies and individuals working together to create a safe and healthy environment for youth, and to reduce drug and alcohol use.

We Bring Together

• Youth and adults
• Public and independent schools: Agnes Irwin School, Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Baldwin School, Episcopal Academy, Friends’ Central School, Harriton High School, Haverford School, Lower Merion High School, Shipley School, and Welsh Valley Middle School.
• Municipal, state and federal government agencies and law enforcement
• Mental and physical health professionals
• Local business and religious organizations

• Youth Advisory Council of high school students who advocate on behalf of youth with government and business
• Student Life Survey of 5,000 middle and high school students to assess their attitudes and behaviors
• New Website with comprehensive resources on adolescent issues for parents and professionals
• “Transitions to High School” forum to prepare parents for the spike in risky behaviors when teens move from middle school to high school
• “Make the Call. Take the Call” campaign to encourage teens to call an adult for a ride home when they find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation

Key Student Perceptions and Behaviors (from 2006 survey):

• Rated high in connections to family and school
• Rated low in perceived support from community
• 12.6 years average age of those begin drinking; 14.3 years average age that teens begin using marijauna

• 5% increase in alcohol use from 8th to 9th grade

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Steering Committee 2009-10

President: Kate Cornwell, L.C.S.W., psychotherapist

Vice President: Doug Young, Director, Community Relations, Lower Merion School District

Treasurer: Gail Wright, M.S., Dir., Community Services, Bryn Mawr Hospital/Main Line Health System

Bruce Barner, M.S., N.C.C., L.P.C., Supervisor of Guidance, Lower Merion School Distgrict

Maura Ciccarelli, Director of Communications, The Haverford School

Wendy Cramer, M.Ed., Professional Relations Representative, The Renfrew Center

Linda Doucette-Ashman, Esq., Director, Lower Merion School Board

Karen Dunkman, M.S.W., Director, Middleton Center, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church

Kisha Galloway

Marcia Hockfield, Assistant Principal, Lower Merion High School

Frances Hoover, M.B.A., President, Ardmore Avenue Community Center

Art Levy,Words & Ideas, LLC

Pat Norton, Youth Aid Panel; Assistant Director, St. Christopher’s Day School

Eileen Riddell, Vice President, LMSD Educational Foundation

Karen Shapiro, Esq., Insight & Action, LLC, Personal and Professional Coaching

Paula Singer

Tracy Siravo, Prevention Coordinator, Montgomery Co. Office of Drug and Alcohol

Marcia Taylor, M.D., former Director, Lower Merion School Board

Crystal Uter, Program Assistant, Ardmore Avenue Community Center

Karen E. Zucker, Magisterial Judge, District Court, Bala Cynwyd

Student members

Jessica Weisbrot, graduate student, Temple University

May Lample, Haverford College, 2010