Leaders from Eve’s Fund, Navajo United Way, and ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation meet to solidify partnership for injury prevention education.
Eve’s Fund and Navajo United Way collaborate for injury prevention
Eve’s Fund and Navajo United Way are proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration to address injury prevention in Native communities. This new partnership will combine the resources and expertise of both organizations to expand their reach, reduce injuries, and save lives across the Navajo Nation.
Traumatic Injury is a leading cause of death and disability among at-risk Native children, teens, and young adults. The most frequent causes are vehicle crashes, violence, substance-related injuries, suicide and self-harm, and sports injuries. By focusing on education, advocacy, and culturally relevant safety initiatives, the partner organizations will tackle this critical but often overlooked public health challenge with innovative and effective solutions.
Partnership addresses pressing health issue
“This partnership allows us to address one of the most pressing health issues in our communities,” said Patrick Martinez, President of Navajo United Way. “Together, we can empower more young people with life-saving knowledge and create a safer future for all Navajo families.”
Since 2005, Eve’s Fund has been dedicated to promoting health, education, and injury prevention for Native Americans, particularly those residing on the Navajo Nation. Its flagship initiative, the ThinkFirst Navajo, a chapter of ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation, has reached over 66,000 individuals, equipping them with knowledge and skills to avoid preventable injuries. The program emphasizes “Using your Mind to Protect your Body” because “you only have One Brain….and One Body.”
Focus on preventing injuries by reducing high-risk behaviors in students
The evidence and community-based ThinkFirst program integrates traditional Navajo values with current safety education, making it highly effective and culturally relevant. Key features include age-appropriate curricula, comprehensive safety education, and a focus on preventable injuries by reducing high-risk behaviors and making safer choices.
Our ThinkFirst Navajo program teaches youth the importance of protecting themselves, reducing risky behaviors, and advocating for safety in their daily lives. Our exciting new partnership with Navajo United Way will allow us to bring these life-saving lessons to more school-aged children and their families. It will also create a coalition with a broad network of resources for injury prevention education.
The new association will focus on expanding our program’s reach by including additional collaborators, building a major public and private injury prevention coalition, and increasing the number of trained health educators. Capacity Builders, Inc. and Navajo Youth Builders Coalition are joining in our efforts to ensure ongoing success.
Fostering a culture of safety and reducing the tragedy of preventable injuries and deaths
“We believe in the power of education to save lives,” added Patrick Martinez. “All of us at Navajo United Way are excited that this new venture will advance our mission of improving the quality of life for those we serve by fostering a culture of safety and ensuring that fewer families experience the tragedy of preventable injuries and deaths,” he added.
Navajo United Way will manage and administer the ThinkFirst Navajo chapter and provide injury prevention presentations at schools and other venues. Eve’s Fund will provide consultation, training, educational materials, safety equipment, such as car seats and helmets, and start-up financial support.
The collaboration will offer a free ThinkFirst Train-the-Trainer session next Saturday, March 1 in Gallup, N.M. Health educators, administrators and teachers, coaches, nurses, counselors, traffic and law-enforcement personnel, and other individuals and organizations involved in community-based prevention programs are invited. For more information or to register, please contact Helen Pino, ThinkFirst Navajo Training Coordinator, at (505) 301-4810 or scan the QR code in the flyer below.
I encourage any of you working in health promotion, injury prevention and other youth-based educational areas on or near the Navajo Nation to join us. Help us continue saving lives and preventing injuries.
Once trained, you will be equipped to integrate ThinkFirst curricula into your programs, helping to empower youth to make safer choices and prevent catastrophic injuries.
With endless gratitude,
Barbara Crowell Roy,
Eve’s mom & President
PS – We look forward to sharing memories of our beloved Eve with you in just a few days on the 20th Anniversary of her death. In the meantime, please visit her memorial website to learn more about her at: https://evecrowell.com
PPS – Stay tuned for more exciting news including the launch of our new website and announcement of our 2024-2025 Navajo Preparatory School scholarship recipients .
Join Us, enhance your Skills and Make an Impact!
📢 Reserve your spot today: See the flyer below for registration details.
Click on the Flyer to register or visit:
https://form.jotform.com/250375762693062
If you would like to download the flyer above and share with others,
please click here: https://bit.ly/ThinkFirstNavajoTraintheTrainerFlyer
Join us! Here’s how you can help
Now, in our 20th year of operation, as we embark on a new partnership and as we plan for the long term sustainability of Eve’s Fund and of Eve’s legacy, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation of any amount. Your gift will save lives, prevent catastrophic injuries, and help create opportunities for the Native children and youth we serve to enjoy a bright, healthy and successful future.
Please click the “Give Now” button to make a gift through our secure Donation portal, or you can send a check to: Eve’s Fund, PO Box 3592, Newport, RI 02840.
Thank you for your generosity and for believing in the hope and wellness initiatives begun twenty years ago in memory of our beloved daughter, Eve Erin Crowell.
