MidCity Excellence hosts Memorial Day youth opioid prevention event

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) - As Americans honor the sacrifices veterans have made for the nation and the freedoms enjoyed Monday, several youths and adults took part in a MidCity Excellence Youth Alliance held a Health & Wellness Interactive Opioid Prevention event at the ROC gym, 2606 Sycamore Court.

CEO of MidCity Excellence Kimberly Warren told the News-Press that there were several members of the organization still working during the holiday this event offered an opportunity to help those youths with a positive and interactive learning experience about opioid prevention, sponsored in party by Buchanan County and the St. Joseph City Health Department through Opioid Settlement Funds grant support.

Designed for teens, adults, parents, mentors, educators and anyone working with youth or vulnerable populations impacted by trauma, substance misuse, mental health challenges or family instability, Warren said the organization's counselor Lisa Doyle helped to make the presentation as informative as possible without being a lecture.

She said that it is important that attendees take away information from the presentation as well as feel the community of those gathered. So rather than relying entirely on lectures, during the event, she worked in activities that combined the opioid prevention education and training along with interactive wellness activities, sports, mentorship, music, food and positive youth engagement designed to help participants experience belonging, encouragement, movement, laughter, teamwork and healthy coping skills.

With help from the Genesis Health Club trainers explaining about how to be physically fit participating in basketball and other activities like Gaga ball, described as dodgeball on the ground and much safer, four-way volleyball and LEGO creation stations, Warren said the event was able to keep youths entertained and active, while also providing them the important information about opioid prevention and awareness education.

"There may be only 35-40 of us, but we have to do it because these kids affect hundreds of other kids," she said.

During the presentation Warren spoke about the prevention of opioid misuse, the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills, recognizing overdose warning signs, Narcan/Naloxone awareness, healthy coping strategies and Intervention and support resources for families.

"We had a Narcan thing and we sent it around," Warren said. "… They need to know when they're around it. They may be the first responders."

Soon to be eighth grader Isabella McCallon, a MidCity Excellence Youth Alliance member, told the News-Press that she will be attending middle school next year in the former Lafayette High School building.

McCallan, will be leading the MidCity Stixx Drumline on the quad tom drum set this year, so there's a bit of added pressure, but she's not terribly worried about it because she enjoys the experiences the organization provides her.

"I think it's definitely created a bunch of opportunities," she said. "Such as getting to meet different people."

Good for networking, McCallon said the organization and Monday's event has helped her to meet people who are different than herself, get to know them and then find similarities as well.

"Whether its race or thought processes, or just het way they solve things, but you can also find compromise," she said. "… That also helps you discover who you are as a person."

McCallon said the networking opportunities have been great through the program because she has been able to meet a lot of people she may not have had access to, like college professors and potential future employers.

"I think I stay with it because of the support part," she said. "Because even at the end of the day, you feel tired, I know I can still go to MidCity and see my friends, and the staff. Also we do a bunch of fun stuff."

Warren said the Memorial Day interactive training experience is not only about opioid awareness, but also about helping communities recognize pain earlier, strengthen support systems, and create environments where youth feel seen, valued, safe and connected.

Kenna Galloway, incoming Central freshman, said she she likes MidCity because she always feels accepted, not matter where she is personally.

"And I made a lot of friends and memories here," she said.

Following the presentation, participants and a good amount of activity, community members filled out a brief survey explaining what they learned during the event.

Warren said the next big event for MidCity is a 25th Anniversary benefit for the center called "The Big Rider St. Joe 500," a Big Wheel team-building experience on Aug. 1.

She said the MCE has served St. Joseph as a free youth, family enrichment and prevention resource for 25 years. This year, serving 316 children, youth, adults and families and engaged 12 adults in certified college classes for workforce readiness.

The anniversary benefit will also feature a performance by the St. Joe Stixx Drumline and/or MidCity TrashCan band.

For more information about the event or how to donate/sponsor, visit the MCE website at visitmce.org.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 7:51 PM.