Fountain Hills Coalition President Shelly Mowrey gave a presentation during the April 21 Town Council meeting, filling councilmembers in on the past year’s successes for the group, was well as giving special recognition to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office’s School Resource Officer, Deputy Jill Ochsner.

According to Mowrey, the Coalition had a banner year in 2015-16, giving credit for those successes to the many individuals, businesses and organizations who offer time and resources to make that possible.

“We have so many partners who come together to help us in our mission,” Mowrey said.

At present, Mowrey said that the Coalition has 26 active members representing 12 sectors, enough to warrant moving the group into larger meeting quarters in recent months.

Mowrey reported that 52 businesses promoted the local Text-A-Tip program this year, with a total of 256 businesses supporting the program.

Local businesses also fully funded the Coalition’s essay and art contest, providing prizes for student award winners.

On the family level, the local Safe Homes Network has reached 380 members promising to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.

At the local schools, Mowrey highlighted the Above That Club at the middle school, which encourages students to stay above the influence of alcohol and drugs. At the high school, the MPowrd Club has helped numerous students overcome their own challenges and struggles in a peer-run setting.

Also a big success this year was the Coalition’s speaker series at local schools, as well as the Arizona Youth Survey that helps the Coalition gauge the local landscape courtesy of nearly 400 student participants.

Around town, Mowrey said the Coalition is excited for the 15 Text-A-Tip banners that have been added at local parks, the new prescription drop box that was donated by the Attorney General’s Office and is maintained by MCSO, as well as 17 community events reaching 1,742 residents over the past year.

To end the presentation on an even higher note, Mowrey recognized Deputy Jill Ochsner for her service to the community and its children, citing the many times she’s gone above and beyond the call of duty to make Fountain Hills a safer place to live, learn and grow.

For more information on the Fountain Hills Coalition, its initiatives, programs and more, visit safehomesfh.org.