FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cislini Fund #2 Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County Supports STEPS Program Peer-to-Peer Efforts
Did you know? STEPS has been combating teen substance abuse for more than 25 years. It is an evidence-based peer-leadership/mentor program that runs in collaboration with local middle & high schools designed to educate young adults about the risks of substance abuse and empower them to make a difference in their communities. Sun Street Centers has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). This Community Impact grant is paid from the Cislini Fund #2 Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County to support prevention services, specifically the STEPS Program. The STEPS programs have always been active in each prevention site. However, with COVID-19 restricting in-person services, the STEPS program went all virtual, making it accessible to students throughout the county. STEPS participants complete Life Skills Training, train to co-facilitate Gateway Drug Presentations and help create content that is shared across multiple social media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Zoom, and Twitter.
Now, slowly transitioning back into in-person activities, we plan to implement more hand-on projects like park and beach clean-ups, flyer distribution events, and presentations in school setting. With the generous gift from CFMC, we will increase attendance at events and the participation in STEPS from the year before. This will help increase awareness and improve behavioral change around alcohol and drug use by their participation in Life Skills Training, Gateway Drugs, Drugged Driving and Town Hall activities.
Since 1968, Sun Street Centers has been providing the most comprehensive and effective services for education, prevention and recovery of alcohol addiction and drug abuse in Monterey and San Benito Counties. Relying on a proven social model developed by founders Martin and Nancy Dodd, as well as the compassion and experience of an expert staff, Sun Street Centers welcome all individuals and families to hope, heal, share and thrive with a drug-free and alcohol-free lifestyle. For more information, please visit sunstreetcenters.org. Like us on Facebook @Sun Street Centers, Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok @sunstreetcenters, and Tweet us on Twitter @sunstreettweet
View our press release: Cislini Fund #2 Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County Press Release
