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Partners in Community's Brooks Leaving Clinton

CLINTON - After 3½ years of making a positive mark on Clinton, Partners in Community (PiC) Drug-Free Grant Coordinator Kristin Brooks is moving to Ohio and stepping down from her Clinton career.

"It's bittersweet, but it should be an adventure," Brooks said. "I am definitely going to miss Clinton."

Brooks has been a longtime resident of Clinton and graduated from The Morgan School in 2004. She moved away from Clinton during her college years while attending the University of Connecticut and then worked in Middletown for about two years before getting the job in her hometown.

As the drug-free grant coordinator, she has worked in the Social Services Department on projects geared toward making the Clinton community a safe, healthy, substance-free area for youth through positive attitudes and lifestyle choices.

Among Brooks's many accomplishments since beginning in November 2009, are that she, alongside Partnership for Success Grant Coordinator Kelley Edwards, transformed the coalition's name and brand from the previous First Selectman's Task Force for Substance Abuse.

"Definitely one of the biggest accomplishments is continuing the coalition Partners in Community. There are more members now and more people in Clinton know what Partners in Community is and what it stands for," said Brooks. "We worked really hard to re-brand the coalition and change the name so that it fits more with the mission and the philosophy behind what we're doing."

On top of that, Brooks has helped form The Morgan School and Eliot School REACT Club, a group comprised of students whose mission is to help other students avoid destructive decisions in a fun and productive manner.

Brooks is saddened to leave, but excited to begin a new chapter of her life.

"What I'm going to miss most of all are the people. I've met and made friends with people from five years old to 65 years old," she said.

Her last official day as drug-free grant coordinator is on Friday, May 31. She's preparing for a lot of farewells before that day.

"We're having a picnic after the Memorial Day Parade as part of the 350th Celebration. That will be awesome because it's kind of like the end-last year we had our picnic to introduce Partners in Community and this year it's the celebration of it being a year that we've been Partners in Community and also it's like a great last hurrah event to plan," Brooks said. "I'm excited for that."