InnerAct Alliance

InnerAct Alliance To reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education.

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #35: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Kadence Lesnett & Audrey Norman! 🎓🌟As we c...
05/28/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #35: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Kadence Lesnett & Audrey Norman! 🎓🌟

As we continue celebrating our 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV graduates, we're honored to highlight two more exceptional young leaders who completed the program on April 1, 2026!

Today, we celebrate:
🎓 Kadence Lesnett
Entering the workforce

🎓 Audrey Norman
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Pre-Dental

The UthMpact Experience:
Through monthly Leadership Days, these graduates traveled throughout Polk County to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. They learned crucial leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through projects like Project Prom, Project HOCO, and UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Kadence and Audrey! Your dedication to leadership and prevention has made a lasting impact on our community. Whether entering the workforce or pursuing higher education, we can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! 💙

📘 Follow UthMpact: www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk
📞 More info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777
❤️ Support Our Programs: www.inneractalliance.org or text IAA to 26989

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #34: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Hope Hallock & Angelly Hernandez! 🎓🌟As we ...
05/26/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #34: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Hope Hallock & Angelly Hernandez! 🎓🌟

As we continue celebrating our 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV graduates, we're honored to highlight two more exceptional young leaders who completed the program on April 1, 2026!

Today, we celebrate:
🎓 Hope Hallock
University of Florida
Majoring in Mathematics

🎓 Angelly Hernandez
Ridge Technical College

The UthMpact Experience:
Through monthly Leadership Days, these graduates traveled throughout Polk County to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. They learned crucial leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through projects like Project Prom, Project HOCO, and UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Hope and Angelly! Your dedication to leadership and prevention has made a lasting impact on our community. We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! 💙
📘 Follow UthMpact: www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk
📞 More info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777
❤️ Support Our Programs: www.inneractalliance.org or text IAA to 26989

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #33: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Audra & Kayla Ezell! 🎓👭As we continue cele...
05/19/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #33: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Audra & Kayla Ezell! 🎓👭

As we continue celebrating our 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV graduates, we're honored to highlight two exceptional young leaders, sisters who both completed the program on April 1, 2026!

Today, we celebrate:
🎓 Audra Ezell
University of South Florida
Majoring in Finance

🎓 Kayla Ezell
Florida Southern College
Majoring in Criminal Justice

A Family Tradition:
Over the past 15 years, we've been fortunate to have many siblings participate in UthMpact and pass down the tradition to younger family members. Audra and Kayla exemplify this legacy, both dedicating themselves to leadership development and substance abuse prevention together!

The UthMpact Experience:
Through monthly Leadership Days, these graduates traveled throughout Polk County to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. They learned crucial leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through projects like Project Prom, Project HOCO, and UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Audra and Kayla! Your sisterhood and shared dedication to leadership have made a lasting impact on our community. We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! ❤️

📘 Follow UthMpact: www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk
📞 More info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777
❤️ Support Our Programs: www.inneractalliance.org or text IAA to 26989

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #32: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Yamil Cordova & Abbi Dicks! 🎓🌟As we contin...
05/14/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #32: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Yamil Cordova & Abbi Dicks! 🎓🌟

As we continue celebrating our 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV graduates, we're honored to highlight two more exceptional young leaders who completed the program on April 1, 2026!

Today, we celebrate:
🎓 Yamil Cordova
Yamil will be hitchhiking into the Himalayas to find a Tibetan monastery and be trained in their ways. I'll come back eventually with something to pass on to my kids.
🎓 Abbi Dicks
University of Alabama
Majoring in Nursing

The UthMpact Experience:
Through monthly Leadership Days, these graduates traveled throughout Polk County to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. They learned crucial leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through projects like Project Prom, Project HOCO, and UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Yamil and Abbi! Your unique paths and dedication to leadership have made a lasting impact on our community. We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! 💙

📘 Follow UthMpact: www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk
📞 More info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777
❤️ Support Our Programs: www.inneractalliance.org or text IAA to 26989

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #31: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Eliana Browning & Kendall Castano! 🎓🌟As we...
05/12/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #31: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Eliana Browning & Kendall Castano! 🎓🌟

As we continue celebrating our 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV graduates, we're honored to highlight two more exceptional young leaders who completed the program on April 1, 2026!

Today, we celebrate:
🎓 Eliana Browning
Florida Southern College
Majoring in Art History and Museum Studies

🎓 Kendall Castano
University of Florida
Majoring in Economics

The UthMpact Experience:
Through monthly Leadership Days, these graduates traveled throughout Polk County to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. They learned crucial leadership skills while educating their peers about substance abuse prevention through projects like Project Prom, Project HOCO, and UthMpact Facts social norms campaigns.

Congratulations, Eliana and Kendall! Your dedication to leadership and prevention has made a lasting impact on our community. We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish! 💙
📘 Follow UthMpact: www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk
📞 More info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777
❤️ Support Our Programs: www.inneractalliance.org/ or text IAA to 26989

Happy Mother's Day to ALL! There are so many amazing Moms, Grandmothers and Aunts who make the difference for kids - Mak...
05/11/2026

Happy Mother's Day to ALL! There are so many amazing Moms, Grandmothers and Aunts who make the difference for kids - Make sure to honor them everyday but especially today

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #30: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Madeline Aranda & Trace Braun! 🎓🌟UthMpact ...
05/07/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #30: Celebrating UthMpact Class XV Graduates – Madeline Aranda & Trace Braun! 🎓🌟

UthMpact hosted its graduation ceremony for high school student leaders who successfully completed the 2025-2026 UthMpact Leadership Class XV program on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland.

Nearly 550 students representing every high school in the county have been enriched by being a member of the UthMpact Leadership Program since its inception. This Leadership program is spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance & its coalition partners StandUP Polk and UthMpact, along with local business and community partners, to assist teens in developing crucial leadership skills.

Today, we celebrate two outstanding graduates:
🎓 Madeline Aranda
University of Central Florida
Majoring in Advertising
🎓 Trace Braun
University of Miami
Majoring in Marketing

About UthMpact Leadership:
Participants complete a training retreat and travel throughout the community on monthly Leadership Days to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement.

UthMpact is a coalition of teen leaders committed to educating their peers about key substance abuse prevention messages. The group's most prominent projects are Project Prom & Project HOCO, providing formal wear and accessories to high school students and educating about risky behaviors during prom, graduation, and homecoming, as well as the UthMpact Facts social norms program sharing the positives in Polk youth culture—that most teens are choosing NOT to use substances.

Congratulations, Madeline and Trace! We are so proud of your accomplishments and can't wait to see the incredible things you'll achieve in the future! 💙

📘 Follow UthMpact: www.facebook.com/UthMpactPolk
📞 More info: Contact Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777
❤️ Support Our Programs: www.inneractalliance.org or text IAA to 26989

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #29: An Invitation to Lead and Invest in the Future 💼🌟As InnerAct Alliance celebrates its...
05/05/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #29: An Invitation to Lead and Invest in the Future 💼🌟

As InnerAct Alliance celebrates its 40th anniversary, this milestone provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the organization's impact and to invite others to be part of its future.

A Message from Ryan Rogers, Board President:
I have had the privilege of serving InnerAct Alliance in several leadership roles over the years, including Treasurer, Co-President, and currently as President. Each role has reinforced my belief in both the mission and the people who bring it to life every day.

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union has a long-standing history of supporting InnerAct Alliance, and I am proud to be part of that legacy. As SVPII/Regional Manager at MIDFLORIDA, we greatly value the work that InnerAct Alliance does in the community and schools. Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in students and equipping them with the skills, confidence, and decision-making tools they need to succeed beyond the classroom.

The InnerAct Alliance Difference:
One of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement has been engaging directly with students. From hosting Business Day visits and observing students run the Project Prom store, to sharing meals during the annual Business Etiquette Dinner, I have seen firsthand how InnerAct Alliance prepares students for real-world environments. These experiences demonstrate the profound impact that consistent mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on learning can have on young people.

The strength of InnerAct Alliance is a direct result of the dedicated teachers, staff, board members, and community leaders who have given their time and talents over the past 40 years.

Join Us in Shaping the Future:
As we look ahead to the next 40 years, InnerAct Alliance continues to need engaged leaders and committed supporters. If you are an individual, business owner, or business partner looking for a board opportunity that is active, meaningful, and impactful, I encourage you to consider InnerAct Alliance.

This is not a passive board role — it is a chance to truly make a difference by donating your time, sharing your talent, and investing your treasure in an organization that changes lives.

Interested in Getting Involved?
If you want to learn more about board service, corporate partnership, or donor involvement, reach out to:
📞 Ryan Rogers, Board President or
📞 Angie Ellison, Executive Director at (863) 802-0777

We would welcome the opportunity to share more about InnerAct Alliance and how you can be part of shaping its future!
❤️ Donate: https://www.inneractalliance.org/ or text IAA to 26989

🔔 Reminder: The Annual Own the Upside Prevention Summit is THIS Monday!Join us on May 4, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m....
05/01/2026

🔔 Reminder: The Annual Own the Upside Prevention Summit is THIS Monday!

Join us on May 4, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the W.H. Stuart Center | UF/IFAS Extension Office, 1710 U.S. Highway 17 South, Bartow, FL.

This is a must-attend event for teachers, school resource officers, counselors, social workers, and prevention specialists — bringing together the latest on youth culture, emerging drug trends, and social media's connection to risky behaviors. Admission is $28.52 and includes a light breakfast and lunch.

📅 Bonus opportunity: The day after the Summit, the Hanley Foundation is offering a FREE in-person Ethics in Prevention training on Tuesday, May 5 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), also at the W.H. Stuart Center. Seats are limited — pre-register at hanley.info/ethics05

👉 Click the link or call us at (863) 802-0777 to register for the Summit.

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #28: UthMpact Students, Leaders & Brothers – Cooper & Max Deeds! 🎓👬UthMpact Leadership yi...
04/30/2026

40 Years - 40 Stories | Story #28: UthMpact Students, Leaders & Brothers – Cooper & Max Deeds! 🎓👬

UthMpact Leadership yields many inspiring stories of successful students. Over the past 15 years, we've been fortunate to have many siblings participate and pass down the UthMpact tradition to younger family members because they know the value of participation.

This year's UthMpact Leadership Class XV was no different! Our youth coalition enjoyed getting to know and collaborate with brothers Cooper and Max Deeds. We were impressed with their personal stories about their unique experiences—one focused on risky behaviors and empowerment to influence change, while his brother spoke about learning about the community and discovering how many intentional folks are in it to serve.

Max Deeds:
"UthMpact to me represents the pinnacle of hope. In a society that normalizes risky behavior, UthMpact instills the idea that the choice not to do drugs or alcohol is one that will forever benefit youth spiritually, physically and mentally. By instilling the value of choice and hope in our youth early, community-wide change becomes a guarantee, as our future leaders of tomorrow are educated and grown to combat risky behavior that plagues their area. UthMpact becomes a true representation of hope—hope in our community, hope in our youth, hope against the forces of evil and hope for tomorrow."

Cooper Deeds:
"To me, UthMpact is a fun way to learn about the community we live in. I looked forward to every membership day where we went to different parts of our county to learn about what happens in each building and how people help people. Each day brings new insight on how our community functions and taught us the gears on how our city operates in a fun learning way. UthMpact has taught me so much on what a city needs to be successful and I am so glad I had this amazing experience. I also learned never to do drugs or alcohol, which is a huge thing to know as those are the leading death causes in teens. Overall, UthMpact to me is an amazing educational experience that everyone should be a part of."

Support Our Teens in the UthMpact Leadership Program!
💙 $40 = sponsors a UthMpact student's personality test
💙 $40/month = covers meals for teens on monthly Leadership Days
💙 $400 = covers bus transportation for Leadership Days
❤️ Donate: https://www.inneractalliance.org/ or text IAA to 26989

Address

621 South Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL
33801

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30am

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