Day One “Friend-Raiser” Celebrating Community Champions     (11/22/2005)

Day One, impacting over 10,000 San Gabriel youth annually against the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco continues to spotlight attention on the need for prevention education and intervention by honoring California State Senator Jack Scott with the Day One Community Champion Award on Thursday December 1st at 11:30am, Altadena Town and Country Club, Altadena, CA  91001.

Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian will keynote the Day One’s “Celebrating Community Champions” luncheon and Dr. Gerda Govine will be the Mistress of Ceremonies, which will celebrate community champions advocating for healthier and drug-free communities as well as raise much needed funds for substance abuse prevention programs for the community. Additional long-time supporters include: U.S. Congressman Adam B. Schiff, Assembly Member Carol Liu, LA County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, LA County Sheriff Department, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena Police Department, among others.

“We are honored to have Senator Jack Scott join the list of local luminaries who have helped champion the mission of Day One in both their legislative agenda as well as their commitment to communities we serve,” says Day One Board Chair and Attorney Randy Renick.

According to the most recent California Healthy Kids Survey conducted in 2004 in the Pasadena Unified School District, youth in the greater Pasadena area mirrored regional and national use.  Decreases were noted for lifetime use of alcohol and marijuana with increases in tobacco, inhalant and other drug use.  For 30-day use, decreases were noted in tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use and increases were noted in inhalants and methamphetamines.

Sponsors of Day One’s “Celebrating Community Champions” include: Cal National Bank and Kaiser Permanente.

Day One has made significant strides and been heralded for its dedication to the communities of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre in 2005. It recently received $100,000 from the Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention and Office of National Drug Control Policy to continue working with youth and families to educate, prevent, advocate, and organize drug-free activities.

Additionally, Tahra Goraya, the executive director for nearly five years, was awarded the Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year bestowed by Senator Jack Scott, Assembly Members Carol Liu and Dario Frommer as part of the Women in Business Luncheon in October and is a fellow with the California Women’s Foundation Women’s Policy Institute.  Recently, she was also named as a YWCA Women of Excellence.

Other items by this author:
Day One Executive Director Set to Receive Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year Award
Sober Spring Break - Parents! Have You Talked to Your Teens?

<< Return to List