Mount Vernon Hope Coalition

MV HOPE Coalition welcomes leaders from every corner of the community with a commitment to supporting Mount Vernon youth.

We engage with many local partners, including the Mount Vernon School District, the Skagit County Public Health, Mount Vernon Police Department, NWESD 189, OUR Journey, Children of the Valley, Panera, and Skagit Valley College.

In addition to the direct partners listed on this page, influences from Skagit Valley College Human Services Department, the MV Hope Equity Team, Mount Vernon School District Administration, and Migrant Educators play a crucial role in ensuring that decision-making by the MV Hope Coalition is culturally competent and responsive to the needs of the community. Each of these groups specialize in equity, diversity, and inclusion work, helping MV Hope develop policies and practices that are culturally responsive. Their influence ensures that decision-making incorporates cultural awareness and sensitivity in regards to the diverse Mount Vernon population.

In addition, the Coalition sponsors trainings for local members and hosts community education events including an annual ‘Voices for Prevention’ event where the Coalition provides information on substance use prevention and solicits feedback from Community Members.

Peer2Peer

The Peer to Peer (P2P) program aims to decrease student use of substances. It begins by identifying and selecting socially-influential student leaders from grades 7-12 who are then trained in communication skills and techniques, so they can effectively communicate with their peers about topics related to substance use, stress and anxiety, along with other relevant topics to youth in the Mount Vernon School District.

Through training at the NWESD as well as club time with community members and staff advisors, the students learn safe and effective intervention techniques that allow them to retain status and credibility while speaking up and promoting healthier decisions.

The goal of the P2P program in the Mount Vernon School District is to help create bridges for all schools using a trickle-down method (high schoolers presenting to middle schoolers, and middle schoolers to 5th graders).

Positive Action

A social-emotional learning program that is integrated into after-school programs at Children of the Valley sites in Mount Vernon and Burlington. This cohort-based initiative engages youth in grades K-6, focusing on promoting positive behavior and improving the program environment.

Student Assistant Professionals 

MV HOPE supports three Student Professional Assistants (SAPs) serving Mount Vernon School District’s secondary schools support students with substance abuse issues focusing on prevention, education, and early intervention. Their work helps students make healthy choices and access the support they need to succeed academically and emotionally. 

PAX Good Behavior Game

The PAX Good Behavior Game® helps to build children’s self-regulation, resulting in improved focus and attention, improved test scores and other academic outcomes, reduced alcohol and other drug use, reduced psychiatric disorders, and reduced suicide. PAX is unique in arranging for peer reinforcement for exhibiting prosocial behavior and peer reinforcement for inhibiting problematic behavior. PAX truly benefits everyone by making the children the heroes of change.

Availability to Drugs:

The availability of drugs is a significant problem for Mount Vernon youth because it increases the likelihood that young people will experiment with or misuse substances. Easy access to drugs can lead to a range of harmful consequences, including addiction, health issues, poor academic performance, legal problems, and strained relationships with family and peers. When drugs are readily available, youth may feel more pressure to conform to peer norms, make poor decisions, or seek escape from stress or emotional challenges. The accessibility of drugs essentially lowers the barriers to risky behavior and can have long-term negative impacts on the development and well-being of young individuals. Even the perception of a high availability of drugs often results in higher occurrences of youth substance use.

Early Initiation of Problem Behavior:

Early initiation of problem behaviors, such as drug use, is concerning for community youth because it can lead to long-term negative consequences. When young people begin these behaviors early, it increases their vulnerability to addiction, mental health challenges, and unhealthy coping strategies. Early involvement also raises the risk of ongoing engagement in these behaviors, contributing to academic difficulties and legal troubles. Additionally, it can foster behavior patterns that persist into adulthood, limiting future opportunities, damaging social relationships, and compromising overall well-being. This early initiation can also create a perception that these behaviors are normalized among youth, reinforcing unhealthy social norms.

Favorable Attitudes Toward the Problem Behaviors:

Favorable attitudes toward problem behaviors like substance abuse are a concern for community youth in Mount Vernon because they can encourage the normalization and acceptance of harmful behaviors. When MVSD middle school and high school students view substance abuse as acceptable or even desirable, it can increase their vulnerability to engage in these behaviors themselves, believing it’s part of fitting in or coping with stress. These attitudes can be reinforced by peer pressure, family dynamics, or community influences, making it harder to break the cycle. Also, favorable attitudes toward substance abuse can contribute to a higher risk of addiction, mental health challenges, and adverse social and academic outcomes.

Low Neighborhood Attachment & Community Disorganization:

Low neighborhood attachment and community disorganization can significantly negatively impact community youth. In areas where there is a lack of attachment to the community and high rates of vandalism, youth are more likely to be exposed to drug problems, juvenile delinquency, and violence. This environment fosters a sense of instability and insecurity, which can lead young people to engage in risky behaviors to cope or seek belonging.

When communities lack homogeneity in terms of race/ethnicity and economic status, it can lead to residents often feeling disconnected from one another, making it harder to build a shared community identity or set common goals.  This disconnection can leave youth without positive role models or guidance, increasing the likelihood of engaging in negative behaviors. Initiating opportunities for students and their families to build connections and engagement with schools and participating in community events can help to work towards increasing attachments within the community. 

Follow the MV HOPE Coalition on Facebook or Instagram (@mv.hope) to stay up-to-date on what’s happening.

The MV HOPE Coalition meets the third Wednesday of every month from bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 12:00pm – 1:30pm at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA (1901 Hoag Road) in the Community Room.

For more information, please email Marie, Marisela, or Kelly.

• Starts with One Campaign – Opioid Prevention Resources
• CDC – Youth and Tobacco Use Resources
• Not a Moment Wasted (Youth-focused)
• Start Talking Now (Parent-focused)