By Greenwich Free Press

THIS EVENT IS CURRENTLY POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The 16th Annual Courage to Speak Empowering Youth to be Drug Free Family Night will take place on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 at 5:30 pm, at Nathan Hale Middle School, 176 Strawberry Hill Ave, Norwalk, CT (snow date: April 1st).

All are invited to the event, which will bring students, parents, educators, school and government officials, businesses and other community leaders together to affirm their commitment to keep our children safe from drugs and other risky behaviors. A complimentary dinner will be served at 5:30 pm, and the program will begin at 6:30pm.

The Courage to Speak Foundation was founded by Ginger and Larry Katz in 1996 after their son, Ian, died of an accidental heroin and prescription drug overdose. Since then, it has been their mission to do everything in their power to prevent this tragedy from happening to another family. This marks the 24th year of fulfilling that mission.

This exciting event will spotlight the outstanding work and words of students who participate in the Courage to Speak Foundation’s curricula taught by their health teachers. The schools include Nathan Hale, Roton, West Rocks, Ponus Middle Schools, Brookside Elementary School and Side by Side Charter School. Norwalk’s Mayor, Harry Rilling, Chief of Operations, Dr. Frank Costanzo, and Norwalk Deputy Chief, Susan Zecca will introduce the students who take the microphone and speak out with their vows not to use drugs. Nathan Hale Middle School Principal, Dr. Albert Sackey, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

On display will be the remarkable artwork created by the students as part of the Courage to Speak Drug Prevention Program.

Highlights of the event include the students’ readings of their drug prevention messages and the Courage to Speak Presentation for parents and students by Ginger Katz, CEO & Founder of Courage to Speak Foundation.

Check out the Courage to Speak website www.couragetospeak.org, email Ginger Katz at gkatz@couragetospeak.org, or call (203) 831-9700 to learn more about the event and find more information about how to become a sponsor or volunteer.

The Courage to Speak Foundation exists to save lives by empowering youth to be drug free through fostering education and open communication about the dangers of drug use.

Ginger Katz founded the nonprofit 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, pledged to do everything in their power to help prevent such a tragedy from happening to another family.