HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (PRWEB)
January 25, 2021

Community – The Anti-Drug (CTAD), a community organization dedicated to reducing the use of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs among youth in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods, recognized 18 extraordinary volunteers and nominated a new slate of board of directors and executive committee members at its 2020 annual meeting.

Held via Zoom, the annual event also celebrated CTAD’s 2020 achievements and set future benchmarks for its efforts to create a safe and healthy environment for local youth.

“In this time of disruption due to COVID-19, the annual meeting was the ideal setting to celebrate CTAD’s award-winning volunteers for their time and talent and to recognize those who made exemplary contributions to advancing CTAD’s goals,” said Barbara de Nekker, CTAD’s executive director. “By shining a spotlight on our committed volunteers, we hope we will inspire others to serve organizations like CTAD and make a difference to the people around them.”

CTAD’s peer recognition award offers volunteers an opportunity to recognize their colleagues’ hard work, significant achievements and dedication to advancing CTAD’s mission. CTAD focuses on changing the environment around youth to make the drug-free choice the easy choice. CTAD partners use their skills and experience to educate parents, youth, school staff and the community on how to build and sustain a drug-free community in which youth feel protected, confident and empowered.

“I salute our volunteers and leaders for going the extra mile in this effort and helping CTAD prepare young people to make drug-free choices,” said Scott Coren, CTAD’s co-president. “Each volunteer is making a profound impact on our local youth, enriching lives and improving the overall quality of community life.”

CTAD’s activities include educating community groups on the impact marijuana, vaping and new marijuana laws have on our youth; developing and distributing information-rich materials tailored for our communities; customized student media campaigns; collecting and analyzing local data; teacher training; and advocating for policy changes.

“I’m extremely proud of the way our team came together over the past year, the dedication and commitment from our valuable volunteers and staff and the amazing response we received from the community,” said CTAD’s Co-President Jim Boyle. “The annual meeting is the ideal place to celebrate, thank and honor community service.”

The distinguished 2020 adult volunteers included:

• Jim Boyle – CTAD co-president and Bannockburn Trustee
• Vanessa Dugo – CTAD board of directors and representative of Northwood Middle School
• Irene Flores – CTAD parent committee member
• Debbie Krug – CTAD parent committee former chair
• Laura McCarty – CTAD membership committee member and Deerfield Park District representative
• Nancy Nervick – CTAD parent committee interim chair
• Harriet Rosenthal – CTAD past president and secretary and Deerfield Mayor
• Lauren Russ – CTAD communications committee member
• Martha Silberman – CTAD communications and parent committee member
• Kent Street – CTAD treasurer and evaluation committee member and Deerfield Village Manager
• Rev. Court Williams –CTAD past president and faith committee chair
• Walt Trillhaase – Bannockburn Police Chief and CTAD board of directors

Six Delta students received recognition for their outstanding contributions to CTAD. Delta is a CTAD-sponsored student drug prevention group open to Deerfield and Highland Park High School students. The honorees include:

• Olivia Alvarez – Highland Park High School junior and Delta HP president
• Sofia Bacci – Deerfield High School senior and Delta DHS vice-president of marijuana prevention
• Yaneli Betancourt –Highland Park High School junior and Delta HP vice president of marijuana prevention
• Jessica Lew – Deerfield High School sophomore and Delta DHS member
• Lille Ochs – Deerfield High School senior and Delta DHS president
• Victoria Sobot – Highland Park High School junior and Delta HP member

The CTAD board of directors consists of 21 committed community leaders and residents representing multiple sectors of the community. Re-elected or newly elected 2021 board. Members include:

• Scott Coren, co-president and Highwood City Manager
• Jim Boyle, co-president and Bannockburn Trustee
• Lilly Brandt, co-vice president and Deerfield High School representative
• Alesia Margetis, co-vice president and Highland Park High School representative
• Minelle Amezquita – Family Service of Lake County
• Amy Hyndman – Highland Park Police Department
• John Norris – Village of Riverwoods
• Eric Steckling – Deerfield Public Schools District 109
• Walt Trillhaase, Bannockburn Police Department

Rev. Court Williams of Highland Park, a six-year member and a leader who helped establish CTAD received special recognition. During his tenure, he served on CTAD’s executive board, including president for three years. He chaired the faith committee and contributed his passion and counsel to the parent, membership and sustainability committees. Rev. Williams is moving to a new position in a different community.

CTAD receives funding from the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, Highland Park Community Foundation, and a Drug Free Communities Grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To learn more about CTAD, access resources, volunteer or contribute, visit http://www.communitytheantidrug.org or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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