Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts (HYPE) is an adult-guided, youth-led initiative that empowers middle and high school students to lead engaged, healthy, and positive lifestyles. A partnership with the Hancock Resource Center and the Hancock Community Coalition, HYPE serves as a resource and platform for students and community members dedicated to promoting safe and healthy environments for our youth.
 
HYPE Hangout 1 was held on September 12th, 2020. Sixteen HYPE members volunteered to spend a Saturday decorating trash cans with positive messages and encouragement to lead a healthy, drug and alcohol-free lifestyle as middle and high schoolers. Hangout 1 was hosted at the Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center thanks to the hospitality of Steve Barney and his staff, who were both welcoming and supportive of the students’ mission! This project is an expansion of an earlier venture by past HYPE students, which resulted in several of the painted trash cans placed throughout downtown Bay St. Louis.
 
Fourteen trash cans were created in total and can be found on all of the Hancock County middle and high school campuses (Hancock High School, Hancock Middle School, Our Lady Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic School, Bay Middle School, Bay High School, and St. Stanislaus College). The HYPE members worked hard to develop thoughtful and bright designs, and had a blast bringing them to life!
 
The purpose of HYPE Hangouts is to provide fun, safe, and substance-free opportunities for sixth through twelfth graders in Hancock County to serve the community while building the foundation for successful futures. The four HYPE pillars are communication, commitment, passion and courage. Each HYPE Hangout incorporates these values into activities and conversations centered on living substance-free while aspiring to be the best possible version of oneself.
 
Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts are present at each of the seven Hancock County middle and high school campuses, and new members are always welcome. For information on how to get involved as a student or coalition member, and what it means to #believethehype!, please email Cathy Pitalo at cpitalo@hancockhrc.org.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts (HYPE) is an adult-guided, youth-led initiative that empowers middle and high school students to lead engaged, healthy, and positive lifestyles. A partnership with the Hancock Resource Center and the Hancock Community Coalition, HYPE continues to be a resource and platform for students and community members dedicated to promoting safe and healthy environments for our youth.
 
Four pillars provide a foundation for HYPE members to learn and grow upon as leaders: communication, commitment, passion, and courage. All of these attributes are key to developing well-rounded individuals who possess strong character and serve as positive ambassadors for the Hancock County community.
 
Each year the Hancock Community Coalition plans and hosts HYPE Leadership Day, created to help rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders own the leader within themselves. This year the event was held at St. Clare Catholic Church on July 8th, 2020. Students were guided through activities based on the four HYPE pillars, working on solo as well as group projects to explore their impressions of Hancock County and discover the many common threads they share with their peers. An obstacle course imparted the value of teamwork and following through on a goal despite challenges posed and differences in personality. A courage activity led to discussions on the many ways bravery is shown at school or with friends and the significance of one person’s willingness to speak up for themselves, as well as support others in doing what’s right for them.
 
The first annual HYPE Recruitment Day was held on July 21st, 2020, also at St. Clare Catholic Church, expanding on topics and exercises from Leadership Day at a deeper level for rising 9th and 10th graders. A popsicle stick activity encouraged each student to share what commitment, courage, passion, and communication look like in practice and how they’d like to grow in each. Building a tower with only a few stipulations as guidelines demonstrated how innovation and partnership are vital to creating structures that hold up over time. A Hero project consisted of decorating body shapes and adding balloons that indicated what they look up to, look forward to, and work towards – celebrating what those motivations and aspirations resembled for each individual student.
 
Recruitment Day participants were also treated to a seminar by Dr. Raymunda Barnes, Assistant Vice President of the Hancock Campus of Pearl River Community College. Dr. Barnes spoke about ways to get involved, the many paths toward success available right here in Hancock County, and how to stand out from the crowd. Examples were given of paths that included traditional education, certifications for trades, and extracurricular involvement, with one common theme: how to serve the community as positive, committed, and active leaders.
 
Conversations that took place during Leadership Day and Recruitment Day centered on what it means to live and work in Hancock County, and how powerful an impact these students have on affecting positive change. Joining HYPE as an active member opens the door for opportunities to travel to conferences across the country, fulfill service hours for graduation requirements, become a face in the community, and build a niche for themselves and their peers to support one another in making good decisions.
 
Any student who is committed to enjoying an active role in their community, a sober middle and high school experience, and setting a positive example for their peers is a perfect candidate for HYPE! The COVID-19 pandemic called for several precautions during recent gatherings, from temperature checks to masks and limited class sizes, and similar measures will be observed as the 2020-2021 school year kicks off. However, virtual meetings and events are in the works for current HYPE students, with new members encouraged and more than welcome to join us!
 
Please email Cathy Pitalo at cpitalo@hancockhrc.org for more information on
how to become involved and what it means to #believetheHYPE!
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On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 the Hancock Community Coalition was one of 148 community coalitions honored during a graduation ceremony at CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 30th Annual National Leadership Forum, just outside of Washington, D.C. The coalitions received a graduation certificate for completing CADCA’s National Coalition Academy, a rigorous training program designed to increase the effectiveness of community substance use and misuse prevention leaders.
 
The Hancock Community Coalition was represented by Rhonda Rhodes, President of Hancock Resource Center, Cathy Pitalo, Drug Free Community Project Coordinator, and Colby DiMento, Community Outreach Coordinator.
 
“It was an honor to receive this recognition and to be surrounded by so many coalition leaders from across the United States who are all working to make communities healthier and safer for our youth,” said Cathy Pitalo.
 
CADCA’s National Coalition Academy (NCA) is a comprehensive, year-long training program developed by CADCA’s National Coalition Institute. The NCA incorporates three, week-long classroom sessions, a web-based distance learning component, an online workstation where participants network and share planning products and free ongoing coalition development technical assistance. To graduate, coalitions must complete a rigorous curriculum. They must participate in all components of the NCA and complete five essential planning products that serve as the foundation of their comprehensive plan for community change.
 
CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is a four-day event packed with opportunities to learn the latest strategies to address substance use and misuse. Attendees have to opportunity to hear and learn from nationally prevention experts, federal administrators and concerned policymakers. Forum brings together approximately 3,000 attendees representing coalitions from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals and faith-based leaders. It is the largest training event for the prevention field.
 
For more information about the Hancock Community Coalition and to learn how you can get involved, contact Cathy Pitalo at cpitalo@hancockhrc.org or 228-463-8887.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Marquar, Outreach Coordinator| (228) 463-8887 |amarquar@hancockhrc.org
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith discusses latest strategies to fight substance abuse with DFC Program Director and DFC Project Coordinator at CADCA’s National Leadership Forum in Maryland
Rhonda Rhodes, DFC Program Director and Cathy Pitalo, DFC Project Coordinator attended CADCA’s National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Maryland February 4th-8th. This was a four day conference packed with multiple adult and youth-oriented opportunities to learn the latest strategies to fight substance abuse and hear from nationally-known experts and policymakers. A full day was dedicated to Capitol Hill events where forum participants were given the opportunity to educate policymakers in Congress about the importance of substance use and misuse prevention. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith met with Ms. Rhodes and Ms. Pitalo to discuss how these issues are being addressed in Hancock County.
For more information or to make a donation to HYPE, contact Cathy Pitalo at (228)463-8887 or email toHYPE@hancockhrc.org.  You can also learn more about HYPE atwww.believethehypehancock.org .

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2018
Media Contact: cpitalo@hancockhrc.org, DFC Project Coordinator| (228) 463-8887
 
HYPE-Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts participates in Bay St. Louis Barrel Beautification Project.
 
HYPE- Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts participated in the "Bay St. Louis Barrel Beautification Project".  The City of Bay St. Louis sought out artists to create their statement by painting an “environmentally themed” barrel while helping reduce litter. Students from Hancock High School SADD Club, Our Lady Academy Art Classes, Saint Stanislaus High School Art Classes and First Baptist Church Bay Saint Louis Youth Group painted these barrels. The barrels were provided by the City of Bay St. Louis while the paint for HYPE barrels was donated by Waveland Walmart. On November 7, 2018, the barrels were displayed and recognized at Bay St. Louis City Hall. These decorative barrels will adorn the Bay St. Louis community sidewalks, parks and beachfront.
For more information contact Cathy Pitalo at (228) 463-8887 or email to cpitalo@hancockhrc.org.


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​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2018
Media Contact: Amy Marquar, Outreach Coordinator| (228) 463-8887 |amarquar@hancockhrc.org
HYPE – Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts in partnership with Hancock Resource Center and the Hancock County Library System host “Community Conversations on Opioid Abuse”
Opioid Abuse was the topic of the night at the Hancock County Library in Bay St. Louis, MS on Thursday August 30, 2018. The event, which was sponsored by HYPE – Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts, Hancock Resource Center and the Hancock County Library System began with a short clip from the documentary “Chasing the Dragon” followed by a panel of experts having an open and honest conversation with community members about the opioid epidemic in Hancock County.
Speakers included Rhonda Rhodes, President, Hancock Resource Center; Casey Favre, Director of Health Services, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office; Pam Cross, Regional Director, MDCPS (Hancock and Pearl River Counties); Michael Fay, Emergency Room Director, Ochsner Medical Center Hancock; Nancy Clark, CASA Advocate; Daryl Russell, Lieutenant, Hancock County Sheriff’s Dept. Narcotics Division; and Leo Hawkins, Hancock County resident.
 
The event was open to the public, with approximately 36 people in attendance. It was a successful evening and the hope is that those in attendance are able to go out and continue the conversation with peers, coworkers, children and fellow community members.
 
For more information or to make a donation to HYPE, contact Cathy Pitalo at (228)463-8887 or email toHYPE@hancockhrc.org.  You can also learn more about HYPE atwww.believethehypehancock.org
 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 May 23, 2018
 
Contact: Cathy Pitalo, Drug Free Community Program Coordinator.  (228) 463-8887  HYPE@hancockhrc.org
 
HYPE Hosts “Believe the HYPE” Leadership Day
HYPE (Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts) to help prepare youth in navigating junior high school. HYPE Leadership Day will focus on communication, leadership skills and positive behaviors for students entering junior high (rising 6th graders at Bay-Waveland and Hancock schools and rising 7th graders at Our Lady Academy and St. Stanislaus). On Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 8:30 to 4:00, HYPE will host a “Believe the HYPE” Leadership Day at the St. Clare Community Center, 236 S. Beach Blvd., Waveland, MS, to provide youth with the necessary life skills to promote positive interactions with peers and teachers.
Register online at www.believethehypehancock.org or www.hancockhrc.org  or in person at Hancock Resource Center (454 Hwy 90, Suite B, Waveland, MS).  Parents may get more information on the web or on Facebook at “HYPE-Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts”.
Last year, more than forty students attended the HYPE Leadership Day.  Students that wish to register please contact Cathy Pitalo at (228) 463-8887 or HYPE@hancockhrc.org. Space is limited. There is a $10 registration fee and scholarships are available.                                                                             ​

​     A new study shows that college students who consume a lot of energy drinks are more likely to become addicted to certain drugs or alcohol later. Is it the energy drink? Or is it the person? Or is it both? ​Click here to read the entire article by FOX Health News. ​