Timeline
Spring 2019
Several pastors and City of Corinth leaders met at a prayer meeting to discuss racial relations. All agreed that one of the best ways to support and strengthen our local community was to invest in our youth.
September 2020
Began interest meetings with key community stakeholders about forming a nonprofit organization to support young people and their families
November 2021
Started solidifying board members, creating bylaws, and developing preliminary mission, vision, and values statements.
January 6, 2021
The Texas Secretary of State issued our Certificate of Formation.
May 2021
Began data analysis phase. In collaboration with the Search Institute and local schools, we surveyed middle and high school students to help identify some of their greatest needs and assets.
June 7, 2021
The IRS granted Lake Cities Focus the status of a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit.
July 2021
Opened independent bank account
August 2021
Hosted community workshop to discuss the Search Institute survey report. With the assistance of a UTA MPA Capstone class, the nonprofit explored possible project and program options to help meet the needs identified through the survey and community discussions.
December 2021
Concluded data analysis.
Where we are now:
January 2021 – Launched independent website and began strategic planning phase. During this time the Board of Directors will re-examine our mission, vision, and value statements and create our first major project or program. We will base this program on our research and best practices, ensuring that is is measurable, successful, and sustainable.
Where we will be:
Our goal is to launch our first project or program by the end of 2022.
Funding from Global Opioid Settlement
Many have heard about the Opioid Crisis. In the late 1990s pharmaceutical companies claimed that their opioid pain relievers were non-addictive leading to increased use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs. However, these drugs are extremely addictive and led to millions of people misusing pain relievers and, especially when their prescriptions ran out, seeking other drugs like methamphetamine and heroin with devastating results (70,630 people died from drug overdose in 2019 alone). In 2017 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared the Opioid Epidemic a public health emergency.
Legal settlements are being finalized between a coalition of states and subdivisions. The State of Texas and the City of Corinth have both signed on to receive portions of the $26 billion payouts. It is expected that the City of Corinth will receive approximately $75,000 that must be used toward opioid prevention and treatment. Corinth city leaders agreed that the funds would best serve its surrounding community by granting it to Lake Cities Focus. Lake Cities Focus is primely positioned to ensure that the funds are used appropriately and meet the organization’s mission and goals.
Lake Cities Focus will use the funds to help prevent future drug abuse within the four Lake Cities. Problems that young people experience such as trauma, child abuse, unhealthy family environments, and poor mental health can easily cause them to use substances as a coping mechanism. Even if children, teens, or young adults do not use drugs when currently experiences hardships, they may use drugs later in life to cope with effects of childhood trauma.
Lake Cities Focus believes that if students are healthy, encouraged, supported, safe, loved, and heard by the adults around them that they will lead more happy and successful lives without increased risks for developing substance use disorders. Our Board of Directors is actively working on a strategic plan to ensure that our future programs meet these desires.