About
SRSLY
Mission
Our mission is to empower youth to reach their full potential by supporting mental health and equipping youth to lead substance free lives.
About Us
We are a community coalition established to prevent destructive behavior in Dexter youth, with support from the Dexter Wellness Coalition/5 Healthy Towns, the state of Michigan, the Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeastern Michigan, Chelsea Hospital, and the Coghlan Family Foundation.
SRSLY promotes prevention through a focus on the community and prioritizing youth-led initiatives. We have support from the schools, law enforcement, faith community, businesses, library, parents, and youth; this large-scale, community-wide support really sets the stage for long-lasting positive change.
Our coalition uses local data, focus groups, and key stakeholder interviews to better understand the key issues related to Substance Use Disorder. We work together to address risk and protective factors related to youth substance use through a community-based and collaborative approach.
SRSLY Dexter comprises a coalition of youth members, adults, and community organizations that want to make a serious impact in our community.
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History
SRSLY is a community coalition established in Chelsea, Michigan in 2008 to prevent destructive behavior with support from Chelsea Community Hospital and the Coghlan Family Foundation. After receiving the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation grant in 2012, the coalition focused on assessment, capacity building, and planning with a target launch of programs and activities in the fall of 2013. Local data, focus groups, and key stakeholder interviews were utilized to gain a better understanding of the key issues as they relate to substance abuse. The data identified specific concerns and community strengths that would guide the long-range planning, programming, and evaluation of success. The result of this needs assessment was a mission statement, with prioritized contributing risk and protective factors.
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In 2011, the Dexter Wellness Coalition gathered to develop a long term wellness plan that would satisfy the health and wellness needs of the community. Their ultimate goal was to create a culture of wellness in Dexter and help individuals, families, organizations and businesses promote healthy lifestyle choices for all. The coalition reviewed available health data and benchmarks for successful programs, analyzed current service needs, and discussed actionable items that would fit Dexter’s health profile. The Avoid Unhealthy Substances sub-committee decided to focus their efforts on preventing destructive behavior in youth.
What sets SRSLY apart from prevention efforts that have already been tried is its focus on the community and priority of being youth-led. SRSLY has support from the schools, law enforcement, faith community, businesses, library, parents, and youth; this large-scale, community-wide support really sets the stage for long-lasting positive change.
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The Coalition
Youth Steering Committee
Adult Steering Committee
Our youth are the heart and brains behind SRSLY. Our Youth Steering Committee leads our coalition in planning fun events, making community change, analyzing data, addressing destructive behaviors, and promoting healthy lifestyles in our community. Our youth help plan events, activities, and policies to help youth and adults connect, develop skills, and build a stronger community.
We partner with adults from sectors across the community: schools, parents, law enforcement, healthcare organizations, religious organizations, businesses, civic organizations, youth organizations, media, volunteer organizations, youth, substance use disorder organizations, and government.
Is SRSLY an Acronym?
It is now!
​Originally, SRSLY was named during the time of T9 texting. Texting was harder, so words were being shortened. Our name is pronounced "seriously" but spelled SRSLY--a nod to the early 2000s. AND because we like to say that we talk about serious topics, but we have lots of fun and don't take ourselves too seriously!
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However, the days of T9 texting are over, and today's youth don't really get the reference. In true youth-led fashion, we took the name SRSLY to our youth in 2024 and asked them to help us come up with an acronym. They did not disappoint!
Partners
Community organization takes a team! We need you!
We are thankful for our community partners who make it possible: Chelsea Hospital, the State of Michigan, Dexter Community Schools, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, The City of Dexter, Dexter Community Education, White Lotus Farms, The Dexter Creamery, Law Enforcement, The Dexter Farmers’ Market, Dexter United Methodist Church, The Dexter Library, The Historical Society, Hudson Mills MetroPark, Dexter Rotary Club.
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