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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® Support Group

2019-02-26T06:47:57-05:00

We belong to a club that none of us ever wanted to join. We are the parents and siblings of young people who died too soon because of drugs. We are ordinary people who could be your neighbors, your co-workers or members of your faith community. We loved our children and tried to be the best parents we could be. But drugs took them from us, and some days the grief is still unbearable. Drug abuse is an equal opportunity killer. It is not confined to one kind of neighborhood, one socioeconomic group, or one kind of kid. Drugs simply [...]

Courage to Speak® Support Group2019-02-26T06:47:57-05:00

Courage to Speak® Empowering Youth to be Drug-free Family Night

2022-02-08T00:03:55-05:00

Courage to Speak®Empowering Youth to be Drug-free Family Night “Save a Child’s Life Night” It’s about one thing... Children and parents talking openly and honestly about the dangers of drugs. That is the most important goal of the Courage to Speak® Empowering Youth to be Drug-free Family Night. Among the hundreds of individuals who come together to support the students are parents, educators, school officials, law enforcement, local and state [...]

Courage to Speak® Empowering Youth to be Drug-free Family Night2022-02-08T00:03:55-05:00

The Courage to Speak® Foundation – After School Curriculum

2022-02-07T23:50:52-05:00

AFTER SCHOOL CURRICULUM The Courage to Speak® Foundation’s Curriculum for After School Programs is based on the book Sunny’s Story. This innovative after school program targets the 4th through 8th grade. This program is adapted from the scientifically proven Courage to Speak® Drug Prevention Curriculum for Grades 4-7. After reading Sunny’s Story, students take part in art and creative writing activities that support children in avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. View After School Handout   Targeting children of all ages and parents, Sunny’s Story tells the story of joyful and sad times, and of how a [...]

The Courage to Speak® Foundation – After School Curriculum2022-02-07T23:50:52-05:00

Children Reading Sunny’s Story

2023-07-11T09:00:11-04:00

Children All Across America Are Reading... Bring Sunny to Your Home!Get Copies of the Book for your School or OrganizationAlabama: TownleyArizona: Glendale, Phoenix, Prescott ValleyArkansas: JonesboroAruba: Palm BeachCalifornia: Alpharetta, Escondido, Felton, Gardena, La Crescenta, Lakeport, Livermore, Madera, San Diego, San Ramon, Santa Clarita, Seal Beach, S. San Francisco, Sea Beach, Solvang, Visalia, WoodsideColorado: Grand JunctionConnecticut: Ansonia, Avon, Bantam, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bloomfield, Branford, Bridgeport, Bristol, Brookfield, Canton, Canterbury, Cheshire, Colchester, Coventry, Cromwell, Danbury, Darien, Deep River, East Granby, East Lyme, Easton, East Haddam, East Haven, Fairfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Guilford, Groton, Haddam, Hamden, Hartford, Higganum, Kent, Killingworth, Lakeville, Ledyard, Litchfield, Lyme, [...]

Children Reading Sunny’s Story2023-07-11T09:00:11-04:00

Audio Excerpts From The Story

2022-01-03T20:57:01-05:00

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 tables across the country, [...]

Audio Excerpts From The Story2022-01-03T20:57:01-05:00

Courage to Speak® Foundation – Reviews From The Public

2019-08-24T18:18:16-04:00

Reviews About the Drug Abuse Prevention Story from the Public Below are quotes from children and students after hearing the drug abuse prevention story. Ginger, I picked up a book from Larry at the reunion meeting. As a parent who has lost a child, my heart goes out to you and Larry. I shed tears reading this book. I will be picking up 5 more copies at the next meeting and pass it on.......... Ginger, Thank you so much for sharing these emails, they made me feel good and they must be the fuel that keeps you going. [...]

Courage to Speak® Foundation – Reviews From The Public2019-08-24T18:18:16-04:00

Reviews From Professionals

2023-09-02T08:59:35-04:00

Reviews from Professionals who Counsel Teens, About the Courage to Speak®Presentation The following are quotes taken from the responses of professionals in the field of drug addiction, education and teen counseling. "The Courage to Speak® presentation is unique because of the degree of emotion Ginger Katz brings to it. I have a strong sense of people walking out of there alerted. The program cuts through denial and can be a really important catalyst to help others take action." Dr. Thomas Kirk, Former CT State Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services "What a wonderful contribution to our efforts to [...]

Reviews From Professionals2023-09-02T08:59:35-04:00

Courage to Speak® Foundation – Student Reviews

2022-02-08T00:12:51-05:00

Ian’s Story – The Heart of the Courage to Speak® Foundation My son, Ian, died on September 10, 1996 in his sleep of an overdose. He was only twenty years old. After he died, one by one, his friends began to come to me. We were all in such pain. I sat and listened, torn between anger and agony, as slowly they began to talk about what had really been going on. Anger doesn't help. Ian's friends and his family have to heal. We have to find the courage to speak before it is too late for so many [...]

Courage to Speak® Foundation – Student Reviews2022-02-08T00:12:51-05:00

Courage to Speak® Presentation – Audiences & Reactions

2022-02-08T00:16:05-05:00

Drug Prevention Education Presentation Audiences A typical presentation consists of five age-appropriate programs designed for different aspects of the community: Elementary School Students Middle School Students High School Students Colleges Parents Teachers, Counselors, Health Class Teachers, Athletic Directors Local, State and National Conferences Law Enforcement Examples of several National Conference and Platforms Connecticut Education Association Summer Leadership Conference Massachusetts Teachers Association Summer Conference Connecticut School Counselors Conference CADCA National Youth Conference (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) DEA National Association of Drug Court Professionals National Association of Secondary School Principals National Association of Independent Schools CT Association of Schools [...]

Courage to Speak® Presentation – Audiences & Reactions2022-02-08T00:16:05-05:00
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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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