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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NEWS FROM….
The Courage to Speak® Foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2015
CONTACT: Ginger Katz
PHONE: 1-877-431-3295

The Courage to Speak Empowering Youth to be Drug Free Family Night and Media Event

The 11th Annual Courage To Speak Empowering Youth to Be Drug Free Family Night will take place on Monday, March 16, 2015, 5:45 p.m., at West Rocks Middle School, 81 West Rocks Road, in Norwalk (snow date:  March 19).  All are invited to the event, which will bring students, parents, educators, school and government officials, business and community leaders together to affirm their commitment to keep children safe from drugs and other risky behaviors. A complimentary dinner will be served. Bring your children with you.

This exciting media event will spotlight the outstanding work and words of students who participate in the Courage to Speak Foundation’s programs/curricula in their schools taught by the health class teachers. Norwalk’s Mayor Harry Rilling, Chief of Police Thomas Kulhawik and Interim Superintendent of Schools James Connelly will introduce the students who take the microphone and speak out with their vows not to use drugs. Senator Bob Duff will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

On display will be the remarkable artwork created by the students during their drug prevention classes with their teachers. 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 the Courage to Speak® Foundation and a raffle.

“Bringing students and parents together to talk openly and honestly about the dangers of drugs is the most important goal of Family Night,” stated Mrs. Katz. “By helping our students become outstanding anti-drug advocates and mentors for their friends and younger siblings, we hope to eradicate the problem of drug and alcohol use among young people in CT and across the country.

Our sponsors include platinum sponsor Geiger’s Home and Garden, gold sponsors Affinion Group, the Blattman Family, Cablevision of CT, Diageo, gWay Marketing Gymnasium, Norwalk Police Department, and Norwalk Pizza & Pasta and silver sponsors Wendy Blattman, Carl Gerard Cooke, Continental Manor Catering, the Doyle Family, First Niagara Bank, Peachwave Frozen Yogurt, Insports, Silvermine Golf Club, Smart Cycles, Stew Leonard’s, Webster Bank, and World Wrestling Entertainment.

Media sponsors include Cablevision of Connecticut, Connoisseur Media: 95.9 Fox & Star 99.9, Greenwich Free Press, the Hour, It’s Relevant, Norwalk Daily Voice, and Patch.

For more information about the event, to become a sponsor and volunteer, visit www.couragetospeak.org call (877) 431-3295, email Ginger Katz at gkatz@couragetospeak.org   

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About The Courage to Speak® Foundation:
The Courage To Speak® Foundation, Inc. exists to save lives by empowering youth to be drug free through fostering education and open communication about the dangers of alcohol and other 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. The Courage to Speak Foundation develops drug prevention curriculum for elementary (based on Sunny’s Story), middle and high school students as well as for parents through Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101. Ms. Katz has given nearly 1,000 presentations to over a million young people and the adults who care about them. Please visit http://www.couragetospeak.org/