Elevate WeHa

The West Hartford Prevention Partnership is pleased to share that we have contracted with the RiseUP Group to continue and expand Elevate WeHa, our Prevention and Wellness Initiative, for the 2025–2026 school year.

Elevate WeHa is a community-based prevention and engagement program designed to strengthen protective factors, reduce risk behaviors, and promote youth wellness across West Hartford. This proposal expands the initiative’s successful prevention framework into three middle schools and both Hall and Conard High Schools.

The initiative is intentionally aligned with school climate priorities, social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies, and evidence-based prevention goals. Through creative prevention activities, art-based wellness projects, and student-led engagement, Elevate WeHa supports:

• Prevention efforts focused on mental health, substance use prevention, and overall student well-being
• Substance Free Community events
• A positive and inclusive school climate
• SEL skills such as self-expression, empathy, connection, and resilience

Participating schools will collaborate with students and teaching artists to create visible, school-based projects—such as murals or other creative installations—that reinforce messages of prevention, belonging, kindness, and wellness while engaging students as leaders and contributors to their school community.

This is an example of our continued partnership with the West Hartford Public Schools in supporting healthy, connected, and resilient students

This project was brought to life with funding from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families  (DCF) and Youth Recovery CT.  Students from West Hartford Public Schools brainstormed the artistic theme for the table, focusing on how prevention can spread positive change throughout the community. Once the design was finalized, the students collaborated with artist Julie Bergeron from RiseUP for the Arts in the studio to paint the table.

The “Growing Resilience” table is intended to be a safe space for everyone, and also an accessible space with ample space for a wheelchair or stroller to pull right up to the table’s surface, and seats positioned so that a child can easily sit on a parent’s lap.

West Hartford has been recognized as a ‘Recovery Friendly Community,’ a reflection of our commitment to inclusivity. We celebrate the diversity and beauty that make up our town and we also acknowledge those in our community who are struggling. Here in West Hartford, we firmly believe that there is a seat at the table for everyone.

Dedicated on September 30, 2025 and installed at the lower east entrance of Blue Back Square, the vibrant West Hartford Community Murals reflect the voices, values, and stories of West Hartford's youth. The colorful mural, created in collaboration with hundreds of local teens and led by artist Katherine Tolve, celebrates art, recovery and community. Its unique stamp-inspired design celebrates the town's history, culture, and identity - connecting past, present and future generations.