Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition

Written by: Raymond Johansen

​Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition (DMLWC) is a group consisting of community members and organizations that have come together to address and reduce the harm of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs that negatively affect our communities. Individuals volunteer their time in order to create action plans, educate others, and offer support. 
Almost everyone struggles at some point in their lives, but it is hard to step forward and ask for help, especially in small towns where everyone seemingly knows everyone. DMLWC works hard to fight the stigma surrounding mental health, addiction, food insecurity, and other hardships, and to come up with effective coping and problem solving strategies. 
The coalition is a group where community members can come together and talk about the issues they think should be addressed, and make and execute plausible, realistic solutions. While working, members listen to each view point, as having different perspectives is invaluable. Administrators, parents, businesses, community leaders and members, and youth have all made their voices heard at meetings, and their input has been able to further efforts to make our communities safer, healthier, and more welcoming.