Member of the Week

Every day, CT Nonprofits promotes the good work of its members and highlights the critical role nonprofits serve in the community. One of the many ways we do this is through our web site's Member of the Week. This week, we are proud to recognize the work of the Courage to Speak® Foundation!

The Courage to Speak® Foundation

The Courage to Speak® Foundation brings schools, students, parents, educators and communities the knowledge and tools that encourage children and parents to talk openly about the dangers of drugs and empowers children to live drug free.

The Foundation is devoted to fulfilling a promise Ginger Katz made to her son Ian, who died in 1996 of an accidental drug overdose when he was 20 years old– to do everything in her power to prevent this tragedy from happening to another family. The heart of the work is the nationally renowned Courage to Speak Presentation, which tells Ian’s story and provides an up to date understanding of drug abuse and its impact on families.

Encouraged by local educators, Ms. Katz gathered a team of experts and spearheaded the development of elementary, middle and high school drug prevention curriculaand Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101™, a free 5 session course designed so parents can understand what their children face and to arm them with information and tools to keep their children safe.

Ginger authored the book Sunny’s Story, narrated by Sunny, the family beagle who tells of the ups and downs of life with his young master Ian, beginning with their meeting at an animal shelter and ending with a futile effort to ward off disaster, providing a moving ground on which to deliver a serious message of relevance to all age groups.The book's compelling message opens a family dialogue on one of the most challenging issues facing youth in today’s world.

For more information, call 1-877-431-3295 or visit www.couragetospeak.org.

What is your organization’s impact on CT communities?

The Courage to Speak Drug Prevention Education Curricula is currently taught by classroom teachers in Bridgeport, Monroe and Norwalk schools and other communities. Since 2008, forty-six professional facilitators have been trained and are teaching Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101™ in communities throughout Connecticut. The Courage to Speak Presentation has been heard in schools and communities throughout Connecticut and has reached over a million people across the nation.

Dr. Thomas Kirk, former Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services dedicated his entire May 15, 2009 newsletter to the work of the Courage to Speak Foundation and applauded the Courage to Speak Drug Prevention Curricula. His newsletter featured quotes from student letters spotlighted at the 5th Annual Courage to Speak Empowering Youth to be Drug Free Family Night and the work of the students participating in the Curricula.

How does membership in CT Nonprofits help your organization? 

“We are pleased to be new members of CT Nonprofits, which I know will benefit the Courage to Speak Foundation in many ways. The trainings and staff development workshops; career center; and other resources have been extremely valuable and a cost savings to our rapidly growing organization. I look forward to opportunities to collaborate and network with the Association members and further access the many membership benefits” Ginger Katz, CEO and Founder.

 

6th Annual Family Night & Media Event

Tuesday, March 16th, 5:30 pm, at West Rocks Middle School, 81 West Rocks Road in Norwalk

All are invited to the 6th Annual Courage To Speak Empowering Youth to Be Drug-Free Family Night & Media Event, on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 5:30 pm, at West Rocks Middle School, 81 West Rocks Road, in Norwalk (Snow date: March 18). This event will bring families, educators and community leaders together to affirm their commitment to keeping our children drug-free.

Students will take the microphone to speak out and vow not to use drugs as a result of their Courage To Speak Drug Prevention classes at their school.The evening includes dinner donated by Stew Leonard’s and the Courage to Speak Presentation by Ginger Katz, Founder and CEO of the Courage to Speak Foundation. Special guest will be Patricia Rehmer, Commissioner of the Connecticut Dept of Mental Health & Addiction Services.

For more information, and to register, please visit www.couragetospeak.org/familynight.htm.

 

Are you a member of CT Nonprofits? If so, and you'd like to be highlighted as our member of the week, please contact Melissa Harris.

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