Tobacco prevention, cessation programming continues to thrive
Good Samaritan Network (GSN) has announced that Breathe Easy will be under the leadership of Katie Jensen as Executive Director, and Erica Strahm as Youth Coordinator.
Jensen will continue to educate the community on tobacco prevention and cessation and the many resources available. Strahm will focus her efforts on growing and expanding the Voice program in all Hamilton County schools and prepare youth to become peer leaders and advocates for the Hamilton County VOICE team. These youth will work to engage, educate and empower their peers to live tobacco-free lifestyles.
Jensen joins Breathe Easy from both the nonprofit and corporate sectors with experience from Boys & Girls Clubs and the software industry. She and her husband Kevin were both raised in Hamilton County and have three children who keep them active in the community.
Strahm serves as the Chair of the Westfield Washington Township Board. As a 22-year resident of Hamilton County, she has deep ties to the community through her four children and from volunteering with a variety of local organizations.
“We are so excited to have Katie Jensen and Erica Strahm join the Breathe Easy Hamilton County team,” GSN Executive Director Nancy Chance said. “Their vibrant energy will help us to continue this important education.”
Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Indiana. Last year, Hamilton County had 568 deaths attributed to smoking and 81 deaths attributed to second-hand smoking. For every pack of cigarettes sold in Indiana, $15.90 is spent in health care costs related to tobacco.
Stacy London, who previously coordinated the Tobacco, Prevention, and Cessation Program (Grant) for Hamilton County is now the Voice Statewide Youth Coordinator. GSN is appreciative of the inspirational work London has made and for monumental contributions by her in establishing a remarkable smoke-free coalition and footprint in Hamilton County. Everyone at GSN and Breathe Easy is grateful for her service and sends their best wishes as she takes next steps and continues to expand her passion at the state level.
About Breathe Easy Hamilton County
As an alliance working with local organizations and individuals within the Hamilton County community, Breathe Easy Hamilton County promotes tobacco-free living in order to reduce mortality and morbidity rates. Breathe Easy is working to ensure that all workers in Hamilton County are protected from secondhand smoke exposure. Breathe Easy believes everyone deserves the right to breathe smoke-free air at work and in public places.
About Good Samaritan Network
Breathe Easy Hamilton County is locally sponsored as a fiscal agent by Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County, which acts as the Lead Agency. GSN is the umbrella organization that coordinates and develops various opportunities for consistent programming and services in Hamilton County for those underserved or at-risk. The connection and collaboration with GSN empowers network participants with a reliable means of reference checking, decision-making opportunities, and reduces duplication of services in serving the Hamilton County community.