Participants at the MSPI 5K, circled up and joined hands for a short prayer, before starting the run/walk.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Meth and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) program hosted their first community event on Saturday, September 15, 2018. The program invited members of the community to a 5K run/walk at Prairie People’s Park.
The day before the run/walk, students from the Boys and Girls Club went to the park and used sidewalk chalk to decorate the starting point. They drew silly pictures and fun sayings to greet and encourage the 5K participants. On the day of the run, some of the older Boys & Girls Club members attended and assisted participants at the water stations along the course.
The new program is part of the Social Services Department. It consists of two staff, Angel Hauk, MSPI Program Manager (shown left) and Jaimie Leis, MSPI Youth Paraprofessional (shown right). The program will do outreach within the community to raise awareness about meth and suicide prevention.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Social Services department toll-free at 888-966-2932 or use the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.