Community Mobilization & Empowerment Initiative

The role of the Community Mobilization & Empowerment Initiative is to aid neighborhood level drug-free coalitions in understanding the power associated with the utilization of resources and community assets. It is also an essential goal to show the value of collaborations in reaching program goals and objectives. Substance use/abuse and interrelated issues exist in many neighborhoods through-out Broward County. The ability to bring about transformation by working through informal or formal systems empowers communities in a positive way.

The Commission on Substance Abuse, and its role of supporting grass-root community coalitions, with their development of a comprehensive strategy, assessment, capacity building, planning, implementation, and evaluation helps to stimulate both individual and environmental change. A significant function of community mobilization is coaching and directing neighborhood coalitions on how they can effectively work to address gaps in community needs and or services.

In 2003, the Commission on Substance Abuse helped to establish neighborhood drug-free coalitions in the North, Central, and South areas of Broward County. Up to this point, the Commission on Substance Abuse had operated more on the policy-making level with its members coming from federal, state and local agencies, organizations and associations. Acting as an umbrella organization, the Commission mentors and provides technical assistance to these emerging coalitions as they take on the issue at the grass roots level, where real change can occur.

For more information, please contact:
Joe N. Toliver, MBA
Director of Community Mobilization & Grants Administration
Office (954)-462-4850 ext.219
jtoliver@unitedwaybroward.org