By Karen S. Carter
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 2:49 pm
|
The Teen Advocacy Coalition, which offers help to the local teens, has a new coordinator, Paul Karnatz.
Karnatz has a decade of experience as an educator and is familiar to many as the founder of the Willapa Valley Lavender Farm. All of his life's experience has geared him up to succeed at this new position helping the area's youth.
Herald: How are you qualified for the coordinator position at TAC?
Karnatz: I previously worked for 10 years as an educator which afforded me a variety of administrative and technical skills that directly apply to my day to day work as coordinator. My experience starting and operating the Willapa Valley Lavender Farm as well as Alder + Co. taught me the value of being a self starter and time manager that is needed for the role of coordinator as I am the only employee on staff. Lastly, I have served on several local non-profit boards, started a local events based non-profit and have taken a grant writing course in order to write and report federal, state and local grant funds. My involvement in the community over the past 3 years has given me many opportunities and connections that enable me to have increased impact with our prevention efforts as a coalition.
Herald: How did your path in life lead you to TAC?
Karnatz: I have always had a passion for mentoring and supporting youth in making healthy choices. I believe that early intervention and educating people in general is the key to healthy living and do my very best to practice what I preach. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for individuals who struggle with addiction. I was informed that the TAC Coordinator position was vacant and out of curiosity, I reached out to the former coordinator to ask questions. As I learned more about the role, it seemed to be the perfect marriage of my two passions; education and substance use prevention! So I applied and am very grateful to the Coalition Board for giving me this opportunity.
Herald: Please remind the readers what TAC does for the community.
Karnatz: The mission was to coordinate efforts to address youth substance use and to promote good mental health. TAC supports teen peer helper programs in the three school districts, bringing teens together. Extensive training is provided so these teens can serve as advocates and resources for their peers. TAC also funds school and community based prevention consultants which provides a law enforcement officer in each school district to increase enforcement of laws/policies relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The officers engage students to provide education, support, and offer available resources.
Herald: What goals are you aiming for while you are coordinator?
Karnatz: My primary goal is to utilize every channel possible to educate and inform our local community about what a coalition is and what TAC does in an effort to instill a deep sense of pride for our coalition culture and the work we do together. My secondary goal is to continue and grow the many events and programs already in place, expand capacity and reach with our youth and to ensure that this coalition is financially strong and set up to endure many years into the future.
TAC meetings are held the second Monday of every month with the board meeting at 2:00 p.m. and the coalition meeting at 3:30 p.m. Committees meet as needed and report out at monthly meetings. To become members, please visit their website www.pacificcountytac.org. Check out our facebook and instagram accounts for updates and events.