Drug Free Communities announces $1.25M federal grant during annual Thanksgiving lunch

Drug Free Communities of Dallas County hosted its annual Thanksgiving luncheon Thursday, Nov. 13, at Selma High School, spotlighting youth leadership, community partnerships and a series of major funding announcements that promise to expand the coalition’s reach and impact.

The Drug Free Communities organization announced three major funding wins, including a $1.25 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that will sustain the coalition for five more years and fund free mental health training for youth and community partners. 

DFC also got $40,000 from the Dallas County Commission for a new campaign titled “Hope Starts Here, Drug Free Together” and a $75,000 state grant that will expand programming into elementary schools, previously underserved by existing grants.  

DFC Director Jerria Martin revealed plans to launch the first sister HOPE Dealers group in Guam this January, marking the coalition’s first international expansion.

“We could not do this work without you,” Martin told attendees. “Whether it’s a donation, showing up, or advocating for our youth, we are successful because of you.”

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Selma High senior Kennedi Rackley, a co-head junior Hope Dealer and intern, outlined the group’s activities from summer through fall. These included a 19-camp COPE tour reaching over 350 youth, school-based drug prevention programs, a TikTok challenge, and creative outreach like the “Mini Meals and Mocktails” cooking show and a community radio program.

District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. said every year the Hope Dealers tour the courthouse and this year was “blown away by the intelligence and by the depth of the resources that these kids have.”

Turner said the Hope Dealers have a pulse on what's going on in their community and leaders need to “engage them more and more as we try to develop solutions for what's going on in our society.”

Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III praised the group’s work and pledged continued city support. 

Sen. Robert Stewart also commended the Hope Dealers for their annual advocacy visits to the statehouse. “They empower youth and strengthen our communities,” he said.