United Services Foundation Launches Fresno Youth Coalition
The new group aims to reduce substance abuse among immigrant and refugee youth across the Central Valley.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The United Services and Equity Foundation has launched the Fresno Youth Substance-use Prevention Coalition to address gaps in local substance abuse outreach. The initiative targets vaping, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and fentanyl use with a focus on immigrant and refugee families.
Why it matters
This coalition seeks to address a critical lack of coordinated substance abuse prevention resources for vulnerable youth populations in the Central Valley. By leveraging expert frameworks, the project intends to create a localized response to rising substance trends.
The coalition is currently in a 6-month formation period to recruit community representatives. This structure follows guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the White House.
The players
United Services and Equity Foundation
This organization was founded in 2021 and serves the Central Valley region through advocacy and research initiatives.
Lisa Henriksen
She is a researcher collaborating on the project to provide data regarding tobacco and nicotine use.
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher
She is an expert researcher partnering with the foundation to study youth substance use patterns.
The details
The program incorporates research from Stanford University experts Lisa Henriksen and Bonnie Halpern-Felsher to specifically study nicotine and tobacco use in immigrant households. Participants will collaborate through monthly online meetings to represent local schools, healthcare, businesses, and public agencies.
Timeline
The United Services and Equity Foundation was founded in 2021.
The coalition effort launched in October 2026.
The initial formation period lasts for the next six months.
Health Landscape
The coalition utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention youth prevention framework to guide its outreach strategies. The project adopts this national standard to formalize its substance-use prevention methodology in the Fresno region.
Families and youth in the Fresno and Clovis areas can expect increased access to prevention education and community support resources. Residents interested in volunteering can participate in the monthly online meetings currently being established during the formation phase.
The takeaway
Community-led coalitions provide vital localized support for families navigating complex substance abuse challenges. Residents can best contribute by engaging in the monthly planning sessions to help shape the specific outreach strategies for their neighborhoods.
Further reading
Learn more about local programs by visiting the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Business Journal.
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