Community Impact Team is Accepting Nominations for 2026 Trusted Adult Award

According to the 2025 Core Measurement Survey, 92% of North Reading middle schoolers and 95% of high schoolers reported that they have a trusted adult they can talk to — a key protective factor against high-risk behavior. “Ensuring adult connections in times of stress and to celebrate life achievements is a protective factor for resisting high‑risk behaviors and getting through life challenges,” said Drug‑Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz.

“Adults have a huge impact on youth substance‑use prevention,” added North Reading Substance Use/Mental Health Clinician Laura Miranda. “We know the links among stress, mental well‑being, resilience and substance use. Having a trusted adult opens pathways for communication, nonjudgmental guidance and expands a youth’s support network.” In fact, a 2021 National Institutions of Health study similarly found that consistent access to trusted adults strengthens youth resilience.

To recognize and encourage these relationships, the North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition is again accepting nominations for the 2026 Trusted Adult Award. “Adults should be encouraged to be open and available to the town’s youth — they can truly make a difference by listening and engaging,” said Coalition Chair Jen Ford. “This award honors the people kids see as go‑to adults in their lives.”

Any individual living or working in the Town of North Reading, 18 years or older, is eligible to be nominated. Organizations may not be nominated. In keeping with the National Alliance on Mental Illness definition, a nominee must be someone who is not the youth’s parent or guardian nor someone who lives in the youth’s home. Luckiewicz noted previous nominees, “In the past, we’ve recognized a YMCA staff, a Little League Coach, School Resource Officer, a Girl Scout Leader, and a whole lot of teachers. It’s amazing to see who kids turn to when they want to talk.”

Youth of any age through high school may nominate an adult by completing the online 2026 Trusted Adult Award Nomination by Friday, May 15, 2026.

Up to 3 winners will be selected based on the nominations. Winners will be selected by volunteers of the Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition and will be presented with a 2026 Star Award. For more information on the award or to submit an online nomination, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or visit forms.gle/WzJuSJdboXXgyqhf9