Leaders in the Lexington Two community expressed growing concern about underage drinking and lack of resources needed to combat these issues. In response to this concern, the Rise Above It Lexington Two Community Coalition was formed in 2008 when the Lexington One Community Coalition (LOCC) received a two-year mentoring grant from the Drug-Free Community Support Program. This grant afforded the Rise Above It Lexington Two Community Coalition an opportunity to build capacity and conduct a needs and resource assessment.

The Lexington Two Community Coalition is continuously recruiting caring individuals, businesses and organizations who share the desire to make the community safe and drug-free for its youth and their families.

Mission Statement:

The Rise Above It Lexington Two Community Coalition collaborates with all community sectors to develop local solutions that improve quality of life and create safe, drug-free communities.

Vision Statement:

Our youth, families and community will be safe, healthy and drug-free.

Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program Grant:

The purposes of this grant are to establish and strengthen the collaboration among communities in the Lexington County School District Two Communities and to reduce substance abuse among youth and over time among adults by addressing the factors in the community that increase the risk of substance abuse.

Coalition Leadership:

Coalition Coordinator – Kaytee Watson, Public Health Outreach Coordinator, LRADAC

Coalition Chair – Linda O’Neill, LMSW, Lexington County DHEC

Coalition Vice-Chair –  Diane Reid, LMSW, Lexington School District Two

Coalition Secretary/Treasurer – Fran Connell, Senior Pastor, Brookland Untied Methodist Church