On October 19th, San Antonio Park in Oakland came alive with vibrant energy, laughter, and purpose as Women of Color On The Move (WOCOTM) hosted a community-centered Halloween celebration for local youth and families. This wasn’t just about costumes and candy—it was about connection, healing, and empowerment.

• 🎭 Creative Expression: Youth designed costumes and shared stories, reclaiming joy in a safe space.
• 🧠 Mental Health Tools: Our volunteers distributed wellness kits and hosted mindfulness activities.
• 💼 Workforce Development Resources: Teens and young adults connected with mentors and learned about career pathways.
• 🔬 STEM Exploration: Interactive booths introduced science and tech in fun, hands-on ways.

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the City of Sacramento is turning down the lights and turning up the glow for a night of skating, music, and community at Kings Skates in Elk Grove. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., families, friends, and neighbors are invited to lace up their skates and hit the rink — not just for fun, but for a purpose.

Glow Skate Night is more than neon lights and good vibes. It’s a chance for our community to come together and shine a spotlight on an issue that too often stays in the dark: alcohol and drug misuse, especially among youth and women of color.

The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 3.7 million adolescents used illicit drugs in the past year, and 834,000 binge drank. Youth of color are especially vulnerable, with higher rates of drug use than their white peers. And for women of color, the barriers don’t stop at prevention — treatment itself is harder to access and harder to complete. A recent study found that Black women, for example, are nearly twice as likely as Black men to fall through the cracks of treatment programs. Factors like childcare, systemic discrimination, and lack of culturally responsive care make recovery an uphill climb.

And then there’s stigma — the silence, the shame, the judgment that keeps too many people from seeking help in the first place. That silence is exactly what Glow Skate Night is working to break.

By combining something joyful with something important, the event creates space for real conversations and shared learning — without losing the fun. Alongside skating, there will be a community talk about substance misuse prevention and how we can all play a role in protecting our loved ones. With free shuttle service from Mack Road Community Center, and support from organizations like Women of Color on the Move, Reimagine Mack Road Foundation, and The Green Garden Initiative, the night is built to be inclusive, welcoming, and accessible.

So, grab your skates, your family, and your friends. Let’s roll together toward a healthier, more connected community — because prevention starts with showing up for each other.