Healthy Community Initiative

Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) is celebrating National Prevention Week (May 11-17) by recognizing the efforts of local prevention champions. The Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition recently presented 2025 Prevention Champion awards to David Aase, principal broker and founder of Revival Commercial Real Estate; Gabbie Carlander, Community School Coordinator at Faribault High School; Daryl Kehler, director of the Northfield Area Learning Center; Mindy Lackore-Mueller, chief operating officer for Restore Recovery; and the Rice County Board of Commissioners.

The recipients were recognized for their significant contributions in reducing risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse, supporting recovery, promoting mental health and well-being, and/or building assets for our youth and other community members.

Aase has provided housing and employment opportunities for adults in recovery, including renting to several treatment court participants with felonies who were unable to find housing for months, said nominator Yvette Marthaler, a social worker with Rice County.

“David has also employed a treatment court participant and has been flexible with their work schedule to accommodate recovery activities,” she said. “One of the biggest obstacles for people in recovery is their background of felonies and being unable to obtain housing. David has been a champion, preventing relapse and possible crimes in our community.”

Carlander was hired in 2023 when Faribault Community Schools expanded to the high school. Nominator Amy McBroom said Carlander has used her connections and experience as a Faribault High School graduate to support students in the Falcons Beyond after-school program and through wraparound support services. 

“Gabbie works in partnership with HealthFinders Collaborative, Three Rivers, the Community Action Center and more. She engages youth in identifying programs and clubs that provide alternatives to harmful behaviors. We are grateful to have youth advocates like Gabbie,” said McBroom, HCI’s network impact coordinator for Rice County PRIMEtime.

As ALC Director, Kehler works tirelessly to ensure that students have the support they need while in school and also have connections to community resources, said nominators Jenn Toth, ALC social worker, and Paul Stanton, ALC counselor.

“Daryl has a harm reduction mindset and as a result has created opportunities for students to access chemical health support at the ALC, with the goal of being supportive instead of punitive. Daryl is also supportive of the ALC staff, which helps them focus on the mental and overall well-being of the students,” Toth and Stanton said.

Nominator Shantel Arett praised Lackore-Mueller for providing a safe and supportive housing environment for women in early recovery. 

“She goes above and beyond to support the women at the sober house, ensuring they have the support needed to reach their full potential,” said Arett, recovery advocate with the Community Action Center. 

The Rice County Board of Commissioners was commended for unanimously approving an ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, including vapes and menthol cigarettes, in unincorporated areas and the city of Nerstrand, said nominator Michelle Dumonceaux, a member of the Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention. The ordinance is set to take effect in July 2025 and applies to five current retailers.