About
The Palavra Tree Inc is an Alcohol,Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Recovery Center is a Community-Social Model (COM-SOC) program. The primary focus is to reduce the availability and accessibility of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the City and County of San Diego.
Because of the existence of a variety of ATOD related programmatic needs, it was necessary for The Palavra Tree, Inc to create our own working model. We have combined the Public Health Model, the Distribution and Consumption Model, the Social Model and “seasoned” them with a dash of cultural sensitivity. All of our programs are based on a bottom up approach. Our model allows the Palavra Tree to be an environment where individuals, their loved ones, community residents and leaders can utilize our love, understanding and technical assistance to affect changes in attitudes and environments concerning ATOD use, abuse and the related harms. The COM-SOC Model has been our guide since our beginning in 1983.
Our prevention strategies includes:
These strategies ensure the inclusion of: Ethnic, cultural and socio-economic groups, opportunities for dialogue, reflection and collective action, the implementing of multicultural community-wide prevention strategies, sharing risk, resources, responsibilities and rewards.
Because of the existence of a variety of ATOD related programmatic needs, it was necessary for The Palavra Tree, Inc to create our own working model. We have combined the Public Health Model, the Distribution and Consumption Model, the Social Model and “seasoned” them with a dash of cultural sensitivity. All of our programs are based on a bottom up approach. Our model allows the Palavra Tree to be an environment where individuals, their loved ones, community residents and leaders can utilize our love, understanding and technical assistance to affect changes in attitudes and environments concerning ATOD use, abuse and the related harms. The COM-SOC Model has been our guide since our beginning in 1983.
Our prevention strategies includes:
- Information Dissemination
- Education
- Alternative Activities
- Problem Identification and Referrals
- Community-Based Process
- Environmental Change
These strategies ensure the inclusion of: Ethnic, cultural and socio-economic groups, opportunities for dialogue, reflection and collective action, the implementing of multicultural community-wide prevention strategies, sharing risk, resources, responsibilities and rewards.
Our Mission/Goal
“TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMATIC USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUGS”
Objectives
To develop a community based alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs prevention, recovery and treatment programs, that promotes healthier behaviors, decisions and to create an environment that reduces, postpones or eliminates the problematic use of legal and illegal drugs.
To be a “launching pad” from which local citizens and community orgrnizations plan, develop, implement, evaluate and duplicate successful activities that reduce local ATOD problems.
To be a “launching pad” from which local citizens and community orgrnizations plan, develop, implement, evaluate and duplicate successful activities that reduce local ATOD problems.
Our Guiding Principles
We will utilize ethnically and culturally sensitive attitudes and values
Do with – Not do for
Provide additional resources – Not additional requirements
Come alongside – Not lead
Assist – Not Control
Encourage – Not mandate
Respect – Not condescension
Concern – Not paternalism
Empathy – Not sympathy
Create capacity-building opportunities for residents and volunteers; Promote shared leadership; Value collaboration that is intentional in its commitment to community empowerment.
Do with – Not do for
Provide additional resources – Not additional requirements
Come alongside – Not lead
Assist – Not Control
Encourage – Not mandate
Respect – Not condescension
Concern – Not paternalism
Empathy – Not sympathy
Create capacity-building opportunities for residents and volunteers; Promote shared leadership; Value collaboration that is intentional in its commitment to community empowerment.
We Believe
The Palavra Tree, Inc. community-based process is key to developing a problem-centered approach to problems and stresses within today’s society. It requires a unified effort by community/social agencies and policy makers to meet the ever-changing needs of African-Americans, Mexican Americans and other ethnic communities.
