The Courage to Speak® Foundation, Inc.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2012 |
CONTACT: Virginia “Ginger” Katz
PHONE: 1-203- 247-3975 |
The Courage to Speak Foundation Receives Funding for Drug Prevention Education in Bridgeport
The Courage to Speak Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $15,000 Donor Advised Grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation for its continued work in the Bridgeport Public Schools. Awarded for the third consecutive year, this significant grant was made possible by a local donor who wishes to remain anonymous and receives philanthropic advisory services from the Foundation. This funding will support the continued implementation of the Courage to Speak® Drug Prevention Curriculum for Grades 4-7 in Bridgeport Public Schools.
The grant also supports training for new Bridgeport Public School teachers on the Courage to Speak® Foundation’s eight-lesson drug prevention curriculum based on the book Sunny’s Story written by Ginger Katz, Founder and CEO of the organization and the Courage to Speak® Presentations in Bridgeport elementary schools for students and parents. Students will be taught communication skills to help ensure open honest communication with their parents or guardians about drugs, alcohol and other critical life issues and concerns.
The following excerpt from a letter was received by the Courage to Speak Foundation by a 6th grade teacher at Columbus School in Bridgeport, following the Courage to Speak Presentation:
“I never saw an assembly where our students let alone our 6th graders were so spellbound. They heard and were touched by your story. After lunch we spent an entire afternoon speaking about Ian and you and Larry and your presentation.”
The 6th grade students of the Madison School in Bridgeport voted Sunny’s Story as “Favorite Book” in their Yearbook.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations, and organization can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory service and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. The Foundation has awarded over $110 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield Country and beyond. For more information visit www.fccfoundation.org.
The Courage to Speak® Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization devoted to “Saving lives by empowering youth to be drug free and encouraging parents to communicate effectively with their children about the dangers of drugs.” The Foundation works in partnership with many sectors of the community to build sustaining support for its school-based drug prevention curricula, which includes a curriculum for Elementary School based on the book Sunny’s Story written by Founder Ginger Katz, a curriculum for Middle School, a program for High School students and Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101® a free multi-session course designed for parents wishing to arm themselves with information to keep their children safe. Founded in 1996, the agency has reached over a million people in more than 1,000 presentations nationwide. For more information, please visit www.couragetospeak.org, or call 1-877-431-3295.
