The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office is pleased to announce Alyssa Lyons from EVERFI as the recipient of the 2020 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). Utilizing EVERFI’s Prescription Drug Safety Network and Mental Wellness courses, Ms. Lyons has worked with the FBI Pittsburgh’s HOPE Initiative to tackle sensitive topics such as addiction, mental illness, and resilience.

EVERFI launched in 2008 and has built a large education network. As the organization’s Director of K12 Implementation for Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Ms. Lyons has continuously supported the HOPE Initiative’s virtual PSA contest. She also recently hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with FBI Pittsburgh, the DEA, and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation about the dangers of substance abuse. Ms. Lyon’s promoted these programs to local schools through EVERFI’s Prescription Drug Safety Network and Mental Wellness curriculum. This allowed us to collaborate with the division’s working group and educate as many teens as possible, while providing educators virtual education packages to utilize in remote learning as well as in the classroom. Thanks to community partners who share in the belief that empowering education and connections should be affordable to all students no matter what barriers may be in place, the platform and support are completely free of cost. This helps to reach at-risk youth, who would not otherwise access this vital information.

“We are lucky to have such a great partner in Ms. Lyons and EVERFI,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. “Her innovative and forward leaning approach to engaging our young people has made her an invaluable resource. This partnership allows us to reach more members of our community to help educate them on the dangers of drug abuse.”

“As a former educator, I'm passionate about providing all students with opportunities to succeed now and in the future and it is an honor to work with community members and organizations who share the same sentiment,” said Mrs. Lyons. “I am incredibly grateful for the development of the influential content from EVERFI and the sponsorship from the Western Pennsylvania Coalition, which make these educational materials and experiences available to all students.”

The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award was formally created in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their extraordinary contributions to the prevention of crime and violence in the community. Every year FBI field offices around the country select a community partner to receive the award. The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office has previously recognized the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Wasiullah Mohamed, a volunteer advocate for racial and social justice in the Pittsburgh region who was instrumental in rallying the local Muslim community after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.

For more information about this prestigious award, please go to: https://www.fbi.gov/about/community-outreach/dcla

For media inquiries please call (412) 432-4291 or e-mail cpolicicchio@fbi.gov