Wards 1 & 2 Prevention Center

Who We Are

Welcome to your neighborhood prevention center! We are Ward 1 and 2’s resource for building a drug-free community for children, youth and families.

The DC Prevention Centers (DCPC) engage, support and connect DC communities to promote healthy, drug-free youth. The DCPC for Wards 1 and 2 is an extension of the DC Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) Substance Use Disorders Division.

We’re dedicated to helping you find the resources you need to keep your community drug-free. How? Through our three core functions: community education, community leadership, and community changes. We provide workshops, trainings and educational resources, which are available to youth, parents and caregivers, and other community stakeholders.

Visit our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter page to see what events we’ll be a part of next!

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1419 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC, 20009
Wards 1 & 2 Prevention Center

Address: 1419 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC, 20009
Phone Number: (202) 319-1238
Email: preventioncenter@layc-dc.org
Primary Contacts:  Christopher “Chris” Charles ,Director,  chris@layc-dc.org;
Cory Myrtil (She, Her, Ella)Program Coordinatorcory@layc-dc.org 

Schedule an appointment with us here
Hours: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

How We Support

Youth

DCPC coordinates and hosts the DC Youth Prevention Leadership Corps (YPLC). YPLC is a youth led and adult supported program that equips youth in Wards 1 and 2 with the skills they need to positively impact their communities to be drug-free and healthy. In addition, the DCPC hosts workshops, game days and other activities to help youth in the community learn more about drug prevention. Follow our Twitter feed and like our Facebook page to see what we’re up to!

 

Parents & Caregivers

DCPC hosts forums called “Community Conversations” that are open to parents and caregivers. Community Conversations are themed discussions focused on topics like underage drinking, gateway drugs and priority risk and protective factors.

For parents and caregivers, we know it can be a challenge to talk about drugs and addiction with the young people in your life. Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to have these important conversations in your homes or in your communities.

The Community

DCPC supports and coordinates the Community Prevention Network (CPN), a group of community organizations and leaders that lead the prevention effort in their neighborhoods. As a member of the CPN, your organization can take advantage of DCPC-led trainings, which cover prevention/intervention skills, substance abuse trends and methods for increasing the community’s knowledge surrounding substance abuse. Technical assistance and educational materials are also available upon request.

The DCPC forums or “Community Conversations” are also open to the wider prevention community. Many of the forums showcase evidence-based prevention strategies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We work closely with our CPNs and engaged community members to help them implement these strategies within their communities.

Interested in your organization joining the CPN? Email our director, Avery Gollinge, at avery@layc-dc.org.

 

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Events

Events List Navigation

May 2017

MedStar Cinco de Mayo Family Fun Day Health Fair

May 11, 2017 @ 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Columbia Heights Civic Plaza, Washington, DC 20010 United States + Google Map

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo with MedStar Family Choice! There will be games, food, health screenings, and giveaways! Bring your friends and family along for a fun-filled event.

Find out more »
October 2017

LAYC Hispanic Heritage Celebration

October 4, 2017 @ 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Latin American Youth Center, 1419 Columbia Road
Washington, DC 20009 United States
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Join the LAYC for a flag parade, music, open mic and delicious food! This event is free and open to LAYC participants and their families. Contact: Millie Perez, mille@layc-dc.org, (202) 319-0443 for more information! Disfruta el celebración del mes de la Herencia Hispana con desfile de banderas, música, danza y comida típica.

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November 2017

Ward 2 Community Festival

November 16, 2017 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036 United States
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Enjoy an open mic, food, prizes, and games at the Ward 2 Community Festival! We hope to see you there!

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January 2018

Game Day: Know the Facts?

January 22, 2018 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Latin American Youth Center, 1419 Columbia Road
Washington, DC 20009 United States
+ Google Map

For National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, DC Prevention Center for Wards 1 & 2 will be hosting a fun event! Test your knowledge about drugs and learn new facts that will help you stay drug-free! Enjoy fun activities and games, take photos with your friends at a photo booth, and have an interactive chat with NIDA scientists!

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January 2019

DC Supports National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week!

January 22, 2019 - January 24, 2019

Tuesday, January 22nd 5:30 pm-6:30 pm National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) event with preteens at Boys and Girls Club (Clubhouse #14, Benning Road). Wards 7 and 8 DC Prevention Center staff will give facts and information about National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Drug Facts Week along with the NIDA Drug fact quiz and fun activities Wednesday, January 23rd 6 pm – 8 pm: NDAFW event with parents and other caregivers at Atonement Church, 5073 East Capitol Street,…

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May 2019

PhotoVoice Exhibit 2019

May 14, 2019 @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Latin American Youth Center, 1419 Columbia Road
Washington, DC 20009 United States
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Please join us at our PhotoVoice Exhibit on May 14, 2019 from 4:30-6:00 pm at the Latin American Youth Center. This year's topic is surrounding risk and protective factors around mental health.  This project was done in collaboration with the DC Healthy Communities Collaborative. We will have refreshments, raffles, and giveaways! If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Gabriela Martinez at gabrielam@layc-dc.org / 202.319.3091

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August 2019

“Narcan and Me” Community Training

August 13, 2019 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Adams Morgan Community Center at The Line DC, 1770 Euclid St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
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The DC Prevention Center Wards 1&2 would like to invite you to attend "Narcan and Me," a workshop covering the Opioid epidemic and Narcan administration.  This workshop will be facilitated by Grubb's Pharmacy, August 13th from 10am-12pm at the Adams Morgan Community Center at the LINE DC. This event is free and all are invited, so please do share with your network including those directly impacted by the opioid crisis.  Make sure to register in order to receive Narcan at the end…

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