Impact Coalition of Norman & Mahnomen County Hosting Book Drive

Ada, MN — The Impact Coalition of Norman & Mahnomen County, which works to decrease substance use amongst youth and over time reduce substance use among adults, is in the midst of a book drive and is seeking help from the community to meet their goals. Kim Myers of the Impact Coalition says the goal of this book drive is to create positive experiences for youth and educate adults on adverse experiences as well.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACES, are any traumatic experience, such as a death of family member or divorce, that occurs in the life of a child before the age of 18. Kelsey Merkens of the Impact Coalition says the more ACES a child encounters, the higher likelihood they could develop mental health or substance abuse issues.

Currently the Impact Coalition is more than halfway to their goal of collecting 1,300 books and they hope that once those books are distributed that parents of mentors will take the time to read the books with their children, which will create a positive experience in their life.

New or gently used books can be dropped off at any of the Norman-Mahnomen Public Health offices in Twin Valley, Mahnomen, and Ada, the Norman County East School, or the LARL Link site in Twin Valley. Monetary donations are also being accepted to purchase new books. For more information, contact Kim Myers at 218-784-5425.

Listen to the full interview with Kim Myers and Kelsey Merkens from the KRJB Kaleidoscope program below: