Sunny’s Story

A drug prevention book written by a mother who lost her son to a drug overdose from the viewpoint of the family beagle, Sunny. It's a great learning tool for kids, parents, teachers, and others.

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Educational Programs & Curriculum

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

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Press Releases 2008


December 1, 2008

Bridgeport, CT-A new drug prevention curriculum for schools based on Sunny’s Story, written by Norwalk resident Ginger Katz, comes to Bridgeport this December. The curriculum, developed by the Courage To Speak Foundation, Inc., is built around Ms. Katz’s book, and is a compelling message of empowering youth to be drug free. Connecticut is one of 25 states across the country to use Sunny’s Story as part of their substance abuse education programming.


September 29, 2008

SOUND TIGERS DONATE TO THE COURAGE TO SPEAK FOUNDATION Proceeds from City of Norwalk Night and Kids Opening Day to benefit Courage to Speak.


Fall 2008

Ginger Katz, founder and CEO of The Courage to Speak Foundation, has announced plans to launch a new five-session substance abuse prevention and education program, called Courageous Parenting 101T. The new program targets and is designed for parents using the Courage to Speak model and philosophy as a touchstone. It will have its inaugural run at West Rock Middle School in Norwalk with a traditional Courage to Speak Presentation on October 15, 2008. The parent series will then follow on every consecutive Monday starting October 20, and continue on October 27, November 3, November 10, and November 17, 2008.


August 1, 2008

Ginger Katz, founder and CEO of The Courage to Speak Foundation, has announced plans to launch a new four-session substance abuse prevention and education program, called Courageous Parenting 101T. The new program targets and is designed for parents using the Courage to Speak model and philosophy as a touchstone. It will have its inaugural run at West Rock Middle School in Norwalk with a traditional Courage to Speak Presentation on October 15, 2008. The parent series will then follow on every consecutive Monday starting October 20, and continue on October 27, November 3, November 10, and November 17, 2008. Courageous Parenting 101T will be open to parents from throughout the community free of charge. Special training for facilitators who will lead the new program to be announces.


July 20, 2008

Ginger Katz, founder and president of The Courage to Speak Foundation, has announced plans to launch a new five-session substance abuse prevention and education program, called Courageous Parenting 101T. The new program targets and is designed for parents using the Courage to Speak model and philosophy as a touchstone. It will have its inaugural run at West Rock Middle School in Norwalk with a traditional Courage to Speak Presentation and introduction to the program on October 15, 2008. The parent series will then follow on every consecutive Monday starting October 20, and continue on October 27, November 3, November 10, and November 17, 2008. Courageous Parenting will be open to parents from throughout the community free of charge. Special training for facilitators who will lead the new program to be announced.


July 12, 2008

Ginger Katz, President of The Courage to Speak Foundation and author of Sunny’s Story, announced the Tenth Annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race on Saturday, July 26th at 8am at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk sponsored by The Lightfoot Running Club, the Parks and Recreation Department of Norwalk, Stew Leonard’s, The Hour Newspapers, Booth Financial, Cook Associates Your Company Store, Patriot National Bank, Stew Leonard’s, The Hour Newspapers, Kaiser-Battistone, Sandra and William Bennett, Kaiser-Battistone, Via Sforza, Trattoria Pizzeria, Fenella Pearson – ASID and WSTC 1400/WNLK 1350.


July 1, 2008

Charles Yost, chairman of the board of directors of The Courage to Speak Foundation, and Ginger Katz, founder and CEO of The Courage to Speak Foundation, have announced receipt of their second annual financial management assistance grant in the amount of $2,500 from Fairfield County Community Foundation, for a total of $7,500 over two years.


March 27, 2008

(Norwalk, CT) Charles Yost, chairman of the board of directors, and Virginia “Ginger” Katz, founder and president of The Courage to Speak Foundation, announced that the United States Department of Justice has awarded the organization $446,500
to be used over 18 months to enhance and deepen the impact of Courage to Speak substance abuse prevention curricula in Fairfield County schools and in other communities in Connecticut as well as the Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101T program. The funding was included in the FY 2008 Appropriations bill passed by Congress during the week of December 17, 2007 and was made possible by the strong support of Senator Joseph Lieberman and Senator Christopher Dodd.


February 8, 2008

REPRESENTATIVE PERONE APPOINTED TO ‘COURAGE TO SPEAK FOUNDATION’ ADVISORY BOARD
The non-profit organization, “Courage to Speak Foundation,” recently named State Rep. Chris Perone (D-Norwalk) as a member of its advisory board.
“I am deeply humbled to be a member of the Courage to Speak advisory board,” Rep. Perone said. “This group does absolutely terrific work in helping keep kids off of drugs. It’s really a privilege to be invited to become a part of it.”


January 18, 2008

STATEWIDE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST, JANUARY 30, 2008
“CONNECTICUT TURNING TO FAMILIES”
(Hartford) Larry Cafero, House Republican Minority Leader and an advocate for adolescent substance abuse issues supports parents in their effort to help families have a voice in CT. “The most important aspect of adolescents dealing with substance abuse is the support of their families. It all starts at home. As elected officials, we cannot lose sight of the critical need to provide adequate resources to help our young people and their families in this regard. We’re talking about saving lives, saving families in crisis, Cafero said.