Fountain Hills Cares

Past Fountain Hills Cares programs and presentations

Civility in Fountain Hills - March 21, 2024
Being civil to each other generally means treating others with dignity, courtesy, respect, politeness, and consideration. However, according to national surveys, most Americans believe society is less civil than it was a decade ago. The topic of civility is not a national or regional issue; it is also a discussion worth having in Fountain Hills. Featured speakers were Evan Lowe, Ph.D. of Arizona State University, and Patrick O'Grady, Editor-In-Chief for Independent Newspapers.

Public Discourse: Civility and Moderation, presentation by Dr. Lowe

Protect Yourself From Fraud - Thursday, October 19, 2023
Presentations:

Complex Financial Crimes - Mary F. Gleason, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Consumer Fraud - Desiree Quintera, Community Outreach Coordinator, Arizona Attorney General’s Office

Thursday, April 20, 2023 - Social Media and Mental Health Issues

Katey McPherson, the Director of Professional Development for Bark for Schools, an artificial intelligence app that protects over 5 million children using personal and school-issued devices. Fountain Hills Cares Presentation 4-20-23

Shelly Mowrey is the Demand Reduction Coordinator for Arizona HIDTA. Over the last 20 years, Shelly has developed substance use prevention programs that are instrumental in reducing youth substance use in the state of Arizona. Her passion is assisting substance use prevention coalitions in delivering quality programs with successful outcomes. Fountain Hills Cares Presentation 4-20-23

Elena Zavalza is the Latinx coordinator for notMYkid. She helped develop curriculum for programs to educate parents and caregivers on brain development, ACEs, discipline, scheduled and routines, and safety training. Fountain Hills Cares Presentation 4-20-23

Following the presentations, there was an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the presenters, as well as with Cathy Mangels, LMSW, LASAC, the Education Behavioral Health Counselor for Salt River Schools.

The Fountain Hills Drug-Free Coalition held an essay contest with students on how social media affects their mental health. Here are two of the winning essays: "Out of the Darkness" (PDF) by Sophia Boyce.  "The Day That Social Media Broke Me" by Olivia Sopeland (PDF)