BEYOND THE BELL LAUNCHES IN MACON-BIBB COUNTY AND INVITES THE PUBLIC TO RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT – OCTOBER 20

MACON, GA. – September 29, 2021 – Georgia-based non-profit organization Beyond The Bell is set to open a new location in Macon-Bibb County on October 1 and is inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. located at the new office, 3115 Vineville Avenue, Macon, GA 31204. Light refreshments will be provided and local leaders and the faith-based community will be in attendance.

Beyond The Bell, along with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) provides tools and evidence-based strategies to train, educate, and support youth and families in the prevention of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use and abuse.

“The goal behind Beyond The Bell’s programs is to ensure the safety and healthy development of our community’s youth so they can maintain healthy habits the rest of their lives and become productive citizens. We aim to educate parents on the issue of underage drinking and drug use because it is helpful for parents to have the knowledge to discuss risk factors with their kids and be a positive example for their children,” said Executive Director Sandra Dean. “We are thrilled to be introducing Beyond The Bell to Macon-Bibb County and using our programs to improve the lives of the youth in this community.”

Beyond The Bell offers programs to the community including the Botvin Life Skills Training”, which consists of a 7-week groundbreaking substance abuse and violence prevention program which is designed to promote mental health and positive youth development. They also implement the “Positive Social Norms” campaign which focuses on the fact that people’s behavior often is influenced by their perceptions of what is “normal” or “typical.” The problem is that people usually severely misperceive the typical behaviors or attitudes of their peers. For example, if people believe that the majority of their peers drink, then they are more likely to drink. Using social norms marketing to inform people that most of their peers do not drink can potentially lead them to avoid drinking.

For more information about Beyond The Bell and its programs/resources, please visit www.beyondthebellkids.org.

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