Image Credit : Genevieve Leonard
NOTE : This article’s author - Bill Ilaria - just recently stepped down as head of the Cranford Municipal Alliance after decades of service. We wanted to take this opportunity to hear how Bill began with the Alliance. His selfless leadership has created an inspiring legacy that promotes citizenship and positive character. Our goal is to continue working for Cranford citizens by practicing in the same, altruistic spirit. Thank you, Bill.
- It started innocently enough, a friend invited me to an Alliance meeting. Having been involved in scouts together, she knew I was passionate about helping Cranford kids succeed and mentoring kids to help them reach their full potential. My children were entering middle school, so knew I had to start paying attention to the issue of teen alcohol.
In just one meeting, I learned the issue was more serious than ever. Children were attending large house parties, destroying property, overdosing on alcohol and dying. And, more importantly, it seemed no one was paying attention. It almost seemed accepted, parents were serving, and no one was speaking out. After just a few meetings, I recognized if we were going to slow the number of children who were being abused by parents serving alcohol, I needed to get involved. The Alliance needed help and getting involved was one way I could support the mission.
Volunteering with the Alliance helps give a voice to the silent majority, the many parents who don’t condone, but don’t feel like they have the courage to speak up. It helps offset the vocal minority who continue to abuse children, serving alcohol and marijuana to kids. It creates awareness of a not so silent killer of children and now helps families realize that while over prescribing doctors and foreign cartels create the supply for the heroine epidemic, teen alcohol abuse adds to the demand. Children who use alcohol are 4 – 7 times more likely to have a dependency issue later in life.
A community can only support its children’s dreams if it works together toward a common goal.
One town, one message, means everyone needs to come together in support of our kids. So, I’ll end where I started, find a friend and invite them to an Alliance meeting. Get involved and add your talents and name to the list of people who are helping to make a difference.