Communities for Positive Youth Development Coalition business breakfast March 16

The Communities for Positive Youth Development (CPYD) Coalition invites businesses in the area to join them in their first business partnership breakfast March 16, at the Trickster Art Gallery, 190 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg.

The coalition is made up of business owners, community members and youth from Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, and Hanover Park. Its mission is to organize, educate, and engage the community to prevent youth substance use and other harmful behaviors.

"It is important for businesses to involve themselves with the coalition because the coalition's work encourages young people to find positive ways to cope with daily challenges," said Elizabeth Einig, a high school student who is a part of the coalition's youth advisory council. "It makes a big difference to me personally when businesses are a part of the coalition and it helps strengthen our community as a whole."

the breakfast takes place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 16. Guests are invited to stay for the coalition's meeting from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information or to RSVP, call Laura Larson-Gibbons at (847) 285-4519 or email cpyd.coalition@gmail.com. The CPYD coalition is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.