Thrive Bedford Lewisboro Pound Ridge

04/22/2026

A powerful evening of art, connection, and community at the Katonah Museum of Art. Through Pieces of Mind, students explored the impact of mental health and substance use, using creativity to spark meaningful conversation.

We are grateful to the leaders who joined us in support of our youth, including Senator Peter Harckham, Commissioner Michael Orth, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, Supervisor Ellen Calves, Councilwoman Bobbi Bittker, and Legislator Erika L. Pierce.

Together, we continue to elevate youth voice and strengthen our community’s response to mental health and substance use.

04/20/2026

Art as a voice for change 🎨
During our recent paint night at the Katonah Museum of Art, youth engaged in meaningful conversations around substance use, mental health, and community influence.
Their work came together in a powerful final piece, “Pieces of Mind,” reflecting their perspectives, creativity, and resilience.

04/15/2026

Join us for an important community conversation on youth decision-making, mental health, and substance use.

On Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 PM, the Katonah-Lewisboro community is invited to John Jay High School (B Wing) for a powerful presentation from Sullivan’s Message.

This event features:
• “More Than a Party” – a compelling story on the real impact of teen drinking and the role of families and community
• “From NFL to Recovery” – Chris Sullivan shares his journey from professional football to overcoming anxiety and addiction

This is a direct, real-world look at the challenges teens face today and how we can better support them.

Open to students, families, and community stakeholders.

For more information, contact Samantha Wagner at swagner@klschools.org or (914) 763-7252.

Let’s show up, get informed, and strengthen our community response.

04/11/2026

We were honored to co-sponsor this meaningful event alongside Stepping Stones and the Katonah Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to NYS Assemblymember Chris Burdick for joining us at the historic home of Bill and Lois Wilson to recognize the importance of prevention, recovery, and community collaboration.

At THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge, we remain committed to empowering youth, supporting families, and fostering a healthier, substance-free community. We are grateful for partners who share our vision and support our mission.

04/06/2026

Knowledge is prevention!

Join us for the next Know2Prevent virtual speaker session featuring Brenna VanFrank, MD, MSPH, as we take a hard look at the evolving landscape of ni****ne products and what it means for youth health.

📅 Wednesday, April 22
⏰ 7:00–8:30 PM
💻 Virtual Event

Today’s ni****ne products are not what they used to be. From discreet pouches to aggressive marketing tactics, the risks are shifting and many families are not fully aware of what is out there. This session cuts through the noise and delivers clear, science-based insight on health impacts, addiction, and what parents and caregivers need to know now.

If you work with youth, lead in your community, or care about prevention, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss.

Register today: www.know2prevent.org

Hosted by Know2Prevent

02/27/2026

Psychology Today article explains impact on children and others of smoking pot, to***co and other sibstances in the home.
tobhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-outlook/202602/smoking-fentanyl-cannabis-methamphetamine-or-to***co

Some experts recommend smoking rather than injecting fentanyl to avoid needle-related diseases. But, smoking fentanyl is dangerous and can lead to second and third-hand exposures.

02/25/2026

THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge is growing and we are actively recruiting community members ready to step up and make an impact.

We are seeking volunteers from Bedford, Lewisboro, and Pound Ridge, New York to fill the following leadership and committee roles:

• Treasurer
• Fundraising Committee
• Communications Committee
• Programming Committee
• Evaluations Committee

If you care about strengthening our community and supporting youth and families, this is your opportunity to get involved in meaningful work that drives real results.

Whether you bring financial expertise, strategic thinking, communications skills, program development experience, or data and evaluation knowledge, we need you at the table.

For more information, please contact us at thrivealliance.coordinator@gmail.com

02/21/2026

Attention Parents: NPR reports on new study with concerning results related teens, cannabis, and mental health. Get involved in making our local community safer and more aware of risks, join Thrive Bedford Lewisboro Pound Ridge - your local drug abuse prevention and mental health alliance. Go to thrive-alliance.net to sign up for emails, meeting notices, and to volunteer. https://www.npr.org/2026/02/21/nx-s1-5719338/cannabis-ma*****na-weed-teens-psychosis-jama

Researchers followed more than 400,000 teens until they were adults. It found that those who used ma*****na were more likely to develop serious mental illness, as well as depression and anxiety.

02/06/2026

Productive day on Capitol Hill. THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge’s Coalition Coordinator, Isabella Pectol, joined the Kristin McConnell and Lucy Guarino of Carmel Communities That Care Coalition, Helena Marescot of White Plains Youth Bureau and Ellen Morehouse of Student Assistance Services to meet with District Representative Mike Lawler to discuss what our coalitions are seeing on the ground and the prevention work happening in our communities. Grateful for the opportunity to elevate local voices at the federal level.

02/05/2026

Our Coalition Coordinator, Isabella Pectol, representing THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge at the CADCA National Leadership Forum. Investing in leadership today to drive prevention impact tomorrow.

01/09/2026

Cut through the noise. Video games aren’t going anywhere, and families need real-world strategies that actually work. Join this virtual session on January 29 from 7–8:30 PM to get a clear, data-driven briefing on why gaming becomes absorbing, what “just limit screen time” misses, and how to support kids at home with accountability, structure, and healthy habits. Dr. Alok Kanojia will unpack the science, the motivation drivers, and practical action steps you can implement immediately.

Lock in your spot and move from reactive to proactive family management. Register at KNOW2Prevent.org

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge.

As we move into the year ahead, THRIVE remains committed to strengthening our communities through prevention, education, and collaboration. Our work continues to focus on promoting healthy choices, supporting youth and families, and addressing substance use and mental wellness with proven, community-driven strategies.

We are building on a strong foundation and advancing the work through partnerships across Bedford, Lewisboro, and Pound Ridge. This coalition exists because of shared responsibility and sustained engagement, and that does not change with the calendar.

Thank you to our partners, stakeholders, and community members who continue to support this work. We look forward to another year of steady progress and meaningful impact.