This resource corresponds to Day 1.

My name is Kitty Bowman. I am the director of Revere CARES. The mission of Revere CARES is to reduce substance use among youth. Through the coalition's experience we have learned that we are at our best when our youth are fully engaged.

Revere CARES greatest success was its advocacy for regulations to eliminate smoking in dining areas of restaurants. During the first year of this effort youth were not involved, progress was slow, and members did not believe that the effort would be successful. Volunteers were difficult to recruit. The work was hard.

During the second year, Revere Teens Care, our youth group, developed, conducted, and analyzed the results of a survey on restaurant use; produced a public service announcement; planned and participated in a rally, and testified at the public hearing. Their idealism and enthusiasm were infections. Members volunteered to help. Everyone showed up at the public hearing and rally. Everyone had fun.

When the regulation was adopted, everyone agreed that the youth made the difference. But more importantly, how the coalition saw itself changed. One member summed it up best, "They take us seriously now. We now have some power."

Kitty Bowman is director of Revere CARES, a community coalition in Revere, Mass.