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CTS Foundation

About CTS Foundation

The Courage To Speak Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Norwalk, CT, whose mission is “to save lives by empowering youth to be drug-free through fostering education and open communication about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.” Ginger Katz founded the organization in 1996, just months after her 20 year old son Ian James Eaccarino died of an accidental drug overdose. She and her husband Larry Katz pledged that they would do all they could to help prevent such a tragedy from befalling another family. Since then, Ms. Katz has given nearly 1000 presentations reaching hundreds of thousands of individuals – young people and the adults who care about them. The Courage to Speak Foundation developed drug prevention programs for elementary, middle and high school students as well as parents through Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101®. Ms. Katz also has authored a new book called Sunny’s Story. A book for children of all ages; parents, grandparents, teachers, and others.
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Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101®

2022-07-12T16:50:19-04:00

Drug Prevention Education Program for Parents Drug prevention education program for parents from the Courage to Speak Foundation. Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101® is a single-session substance abuse education prevention program for parents and is offered in both English and Spanish. The program is designed to help parents understand the impact of drug abuse on youth and give them the knowledge required to communicate more effectively with their children about the dangers of drugs.  Learn how to become a Facilitator for Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101®.  We have trained thousands of parents since its [...]

Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101®2022-07-12T16:50:19-04:00

How It All Started…

2019-10-23T21:14:39-04:00

Ians’ Story On September 10, 1996, I awoke to every mother’s nightmare. I found my 20–year–old son Ian dead in his bed of an accidental heroin overdose. Ian James Eaccarino was a promising college student with everything to live for. He was bright, athletic, popular, and handsome. He was dearly loved by his family and by his many friends. Drugs destroyed his life. Ian started using tobacco and marijuana in the eighth grade. He was in denial about the problem, minimizing it as so many young people do. I was unaware that he was using drugs, thinking the changes were [...]

How It All Started…2019-10-23T21:14:39-04:00

Sunny’s Story – Five Star Reviews

2022-01-03T20:59:39-05:00

Ginger Katz signing autographed copies of her book Sunny's Story. Sunny’s Story Five Star Reviews Get Sunny’s Story For Your School or Organization A Must Read. By Ellen Seltzer (Connecticut) Sunny's Story is the tale of Ian, the author's son, that is told through the eyes of the family dog, Sunny. It is written in easy to understand English and portrays a happy, healthy life that gets turned around and eventually ends in tragedy. I taught this short story to two classes of 6th graders who literally gobbled it up. They loved [...]

Sunny’s Story – Five Star Reviews2022-01-03T20:59:39-05:00

Sunny’s Story Bio and Other Reviews

2022-02-08T00:25:21-05:00

Get Sunny's Story For Your School or Organization Drug Prevention Story Synopsis and Bio Sunny's Story tells of joyful times and sad times, and of how a dog's best friend was needlessly lost. It is narrated through the eyes, ears and mind of Sunny, the family beagle. The story is about the ups and downs of life with his young master, beginning with their meeting at an animal shelter. Sunny's Story is a compelling story for children, teenagers, parents, grandparents and teachers. The book is for both young and old and the story of love, compassion, caring and [...]

Sunny’s Story Bio and Other Reviews2022-02-08T00:25:21-05:00

Adults’ Comments About Sunny’s Story

2019-08-24T19:30:01-04:00

Sunny's Story, written by Ginger Katz is a drug prevention book for all ages. It is a compelling story for children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, teachers and more. Sunny’s Story tells of joyful times and sad times, and of how a dog’s best friend was needlessly lost to drug abuse. It is narrated through the eyes, ears and mind of Sunny, the family beagle. The story tells 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 Sunny's Story is read at many dinner [...]

Adults’ Comments About Sunny’s Story2019-08-24T19:30:01-04:00

Courage to Speak® – Courageous Parenting 101 ® “Parenting Through the Opioid Crisis and Beyond”™

2018-10-16T14:11:12-04:00

Click Here To Request Info About Hosting This Free Program For Parents At Your School Or Organization This new drug prevention program for parents is a two-part substance abuse prevention education program, designed specifically for parents of elementary, middle, and high school students, capable of being delivered in one night! This Double Dose of Prevention™ is offered in two parts: Part 1: Begins with a live presentation by Ginger Katz, Founder of the Courage to Speak Foundation. Ms. Katz tells her compelling story of her son Ian’s losing battle with drugs and provides guidance to parents to help them reduce the risk [...]

Courage to Speak® – Courageous Parenting 101 ® “Parenting Through the Opioid Crisis and Beyond”™2018-10-16T14:11:12-04:00

Opioid Forum Speaks to the Importance of Prevention

2019-02-26T06:54:58-05:00

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  CONTACT:  Heather Petit, Policy Analyst For Children 860-240-0074 January 24, 2018 Opioid Forum Speaks to the Importance of Prevention Event is Thursday, Jan. 25, in LOB Room 1A, Hartford HARTFORD – The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors has partnered with the Courage to Speak® Foundation to present a forum at the Capitol on the critical importance of opioid prevention for children and youth. On Thursday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Commission, Foundation, key partners, experts, and parents/caregivers will highlight the need for prevention through education and parental and community engagement. They will also identify components [...]

Opioid Forum Speaks to the Importance of Prevention2019-02-26T06:54:58-05:00

Courage to Speak® Foundation’s 22nd Year in Mission to Save Lives

2019-02-26T06:54:48-05:00

The Courage to Speak® Foundation. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2018 CONTACT: Ginger Katz PHONE: : (203) 247-3975 Courage to Speak® Foundation’s 22nd Year in Mission to Save Lives “The 14th Annual Courage to Speak® Empowering Youth to be Drug-Free Family Night” The 14th Annual Courage To Speak Empowering Youth to Be Drug Free Family Night will take place on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 5:30 p.m., at Roton Middle School,  201 Highland Ave, Norwalk, CT, (snow date:  March 20).  All are invited to the event, which will bring students, parents, educators, school and government officials, business and other community leaders together to affirm their [...]

Courage to Speak® Foundation’s 22nd Year in Mission to Save Lives2019-02-26T06:54:48-05:00

Running Toward a Healthy Lifestyle

2019-10-27T23:48:29-04:00

NEWS FROM.... The Courage to Speak® Foundation. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2018 CONTACT: Ginger Katz PHONE: (203) 247-3975 Running Toward a Healthy Lifestyle   The Courage to Speak Foundation Announces the 20th Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race to take place on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT   Ginger Katz, CEO and Founder of the Courage to Speak® Foundation and author of Sunny’s Story, announced The 20thAnnual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race, which will take place on Saturday, August 4th at 8:00am at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut and is promoted by the Lightfoot Running Club. Norwalk’s Mayor Harry Rilling will show his continued [...]

Running Toward a Healthy Lifestyle2019-10-27T23:48:29-04:00

Press Releases

2019-10-27T22:21:46-04:00

Press Releases July 11, 2018 Running Toward a Healthy Lifestyle The Courage to Speak Foundation Announces the 20th Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race to take place on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CTGinger Katz, CEO and Founder of the Courage to Speak® Foundation and author of Sunny’s Story, announced The 20thAnnual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race, which will take place on Saturday, August 4th at 8:00am at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut and is promoted by the Lightfoot Running Club. Norwalk’s Mayor Harry Rilling will show his continued support of the mission of the Courage to Speak® Foundation by addressing the runners [...]

Press Releases2019-10-27T22:21:46-04:00
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The Courage to Speak Foundation

144 East Ave Suite #200
Norwalk, CT 06851

Phone:
Office (203) 831-9700

Fax: (203) 831-9800

Web: Courage to Speak Foundation

Learn more about Courage to Speak® substance use prevention education programs and curriculum for Elementary, Middle, and High School students.

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