G E T I N F O R M E D. G E T I N VO LV E D. B E C O M E A L E A D E R . SUMMER 2012

Whether you are ten, forty or eighty years old, we are all impacted in a variety of ways by family. Let’s face it: at one time or another,

our families drive us crazy. Why do you think we eat so much during Thanksgiving? As the saying goes, “If you think you are so enlightened, go and spend a week with your parents.” But, it’s not just parents. It’s siblings, cousins, in-laws and sometimes our own children, too!

Much of the internal conflict experienced within families occurs as a result of clashing needs, motivations and values. Age related issues are huge. For example, while parents are concerned about keeping their teens safe, kids crave independence, socializing and are prone to taking risks. Siblings often vie for their parents’ attention and affection. This type of competitive behavior can start in early childhood and continue throughout their lives. No individual is immune from their own box of nuts we call “family.” Why? Because each family member is in their own age, stage, or phase of life and reality doesn’t look the same to each of us. Trying to communicate requires that we have some understanding and appreciation of where each person is in their life cycle.

Here are some tips from Parents: The Anti-Drug for staying sane this summer with your tweens and teens:

• Establish a summertime curfew for your tween/teen • Help plan activities to keep your tween/teen busy • Schedule time together to do something fun as a family • Check in with adult supervisors, such as coaches and employers • Meet your child’s friends, especially those that your tween/teen hangs out with regularly • Set some kind of check-in system, such as an established call time when they get home

Enjoy your summer,

Peggy B. Sapp President & CEO

If Life Is A Box of Chocolates, Then Family Is A Box Of Nuts

Informed Families’ Dinner at Joe’s: A Crabulous Success Generous sponsors and over 400 guests participated in the organization’s 27th Annual Fundraising Dinner at Joe’s. Turn to page 2 for more…

Myth Vs Fact The latest teen drug use survey is in.Is Marijuana a gateway drug?Turn to page 3 to find out…

7 Creative Ideas for Safe Summer Fun Research shows that kids with nothing else to do are more likely to use drugs. Check out our tips for keeping your tweens/teens safe this summer on page 3…

Congratulations to Scott Ginchereau of Orlando, Safe Homes Safe Parties Contest Winner Kudos to you and everyone who took the online pledge to protect your children from

underage drinking. We hope you enjoy your $100 Publix Gift Card!

CATalyst Sponsor – Thank You

Donor of the Year for

7 Years THANK YOU

For the latest prevention news and tips, visit us online atwww.InformedFamilies.org

G E T I N F O R M E D. G E T I N VO LV E D. B E C O M E A L E A D E R .

Joe’s Event Raises Over $200,000 For Drug Prevention On May 21st, the claws were out… but only the good kind. Informed Families welcomed over 400 civic and community leaders and supporters to the 27th Annual Joe’s Stone Crab Dinner in Miami Beach. Over $200,000 was raised at the event to support and enhance the organization’s programs and services.

Event co-chairs John & Stacy Bolduc and James & Ashley Cusack welcomed guests at the pre-social event. Celebrity Maître ‘Ds including Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, Senator Gwen Margolis, State Attorney Kathy Fernandez Rundle and former Chairman Michael Fay led partygoers into the dinner, where guests enjoyed Joe’s signature dishes and legendary service for a great cause: preventing youth substance abuse.

Informed Families thanks the following sponsors: Baptist Health South Florida, Stacy & John Bolduc, Kerrin & Peter Bermont, The Bermont/Carlin Group, Coral Gables Trust Company, Crispin Porter + Bogusky Advertising, Butch & Tammy Davis, Florida Blue, Gulliver Schools, Health Foundation of South Florida McDermott, Will & Emery, LLP, Cindy & Mike Moran, and Kim & Kevin Smith.

For a complete list of sponsors and to see more pictures of the event, visit www.informedfamilies.org.

Ashley Cusack and Stacy Bolduc already have a lot on their plates. Ashley juggles multiple jobs: realtor extraordinaire, wife and mother of two. Stacy is a devoted wife and proactive mother raising four children, each attending different schools. But that didn’t stop Ashley and Stacy from taking time out of their very busy schedules to Co-Chair this year’s Joe’s event, along with their husbands Jim Cusack and John Bolduc.

“We were delighted to serve as Co-Chairs for the Joe’s event this year,” says Stacy Bolduc. “I learned about the wonderful work of Informed Families when someone invited us to be their guest at Joe’s over ten years ago. It is the most fun event of the year and one that our husbands don’t mind attending!”

Ashley Cusack, a childhood friend of CEO Peggy Sapp’s daughter, learned about Informed Families over the years, but also became more involved through the annual fundraising dinner at Joe’s. “Last year, I got my company, EWM, involved in Joe’s and other realtors signed on too,” says Ashley Cusack. “I’ve been attending Joe’s for almost 20 years and I was happy to Co-Chair the event. I love Peggy’s enthusiasm. She has done a wonderful job with the

organization. I look forward to continued involvement.”

Cusack’s passion for drug prevention runs in the family. Her father-in-law, James Cusack, a former FBI agent, was recently honored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his efforts to prevent and treat drug addiction in the Tampa area. The award was given out by Informed Families board member Mark Trouville, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Miami Field Division. “My father in law has always instilled a drug-free message in his kids and we are passing that knowledge down to our own children.”

Bolduc is also committed to preventing drug use in her family. “As parents of four children between the ages of 9 and 17, we recognize the importance of Informed Families and its mission of helping kids grow up safe, healthy and drug free. As our kids began entering adolescence, we realized how important the drug free message is and we have integrated it into our lives.”

Co-Chairs Dedicate Time, Talent & Treasure To Annual Fundraiser

James J. Cusack and son James Cusack, II at DEA Award Ceremony

Joe’s Co-Chairs Ashley Cusack and Stacy Bolduc

V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT W W W. I N F O R M E D FA M I L I E S . O R G2

G E T I N F O R M E D. G E T I N VO LV E D. B E C O M E A L E A D E R .

Myth VS. FactMyth: Marijuana Is Not A Gateway Drug

Fact: Think pot is harmless? Think again. 1/3 of heavy marijuana users also use cocaine, ecstasy or other drugs, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR). Further, nearly one in ten high school students reported using marijuana 20 times or more in the past month. Parents must be aware that teens who regularly use pot are often using other drugs as well.

Tell Us What You ThinkInformed Families is sporting a new modern look online. We’ve launched a new website designed to quickly get you the information you’re looking for to keep your kids safe, healthy and drug free. So what’s new?

• Find information faster and easier with our search bar

• Login to create a profile and to tell us what YOU want to hear

• Join the conversation through our Blog and social media portals

• Access exclusive videos and content for members only

Tell us what you think of the new look. Send an email to info@informedfamilies.org or comment via Facebook, Twitter or our Parent Blog.

Want the latest trends, tips and stats delivered right to your inbox? Visit www.informedfamilies.org

to sign up for our popular eCATalyst newsletter.

Tell Us What You Think About The CATalyst Newsletter & Be Entered To Win A $25 Publix Gift Card!

Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Email:

What I Enjoy Most About The Newsletter:

What I Enjoy Least About The Newsletter:

Other Comments:

Mail to: Informed Families, 2490 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145 or send an email to info@informedfamilies.org

3

7 Creative Ideas for Safe Summer FunHave you planned activities to keep your teen busy this summer? Research shows that teens who are involved in constructive and adult-supervised activities are less likely to use drugs. Following are some creative ideas to engage your teen in safe, summer fun: • Plan a supervised camping trip with friends • Take a trip to a free museum or public zoo • Visit colleges online or plan a trip to visit some colleges • Volunteer at least once a week—soup kitchen, SPCA, hospital, etc. • Take a dance class, cooking class or learn a new skill • Train for a sporting event, like a triathlon • Become a mentor or camp counselor

“I hope in some way to communicate our deep gratitude and thankfulness for the assistance provided by Carmela Bechtel and the Informed Families program at our school. Your efforts have made a difference in the individual lives of students as well as impacted our entire school population.”

Brent BrummetPrincipal, Ransom Middle SchoolPensacola, Florida

Principal Brummet, Carmela Bechtel and

Assistant Principal Snyder at Red Ribbon Certified

Schools Celebration

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 3026 27 28 29

2490 Coral WayMiami, FL 33145Ph: (305) 856-4886Fax: (305) 856-4815www.informedfamilies.org

NON PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDMiami, FL 33145

Permit 4794

G E T I N F O R M E D. G E T I N VO LV E D. B E C O M E A L E A D E R .

See What’s Inside President’s Message: If Life Is A Box Of Chocolates, Then Family Is A Box Of Nuts Joe’s Event Raises Over $200,000 For Drug Prevention Myth Vs. Fact: Is Marijuana A Gateway Drug? Check Out Our New Look & Tell Us What You Think Co-Chairs Dedicate Time, Talent & Treasure To Annual Fundraiser Seven Creative Ideas For Safe Summer Fun

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYJUNE 2012 CALENDAR

For information about Baptist Health South Florida events, visit www.baptisthealth.net. To find out more about Rina Yoga, please visit www.rinayoga.com. If you are interested in the Miami Center for Spiritual Living, visit www.miamicsl.org.

This issue of the CATalyst is sponsored by the following:

Donor of the Year: Florida Blue

CATalyst Sponsor: Baptist Health South Florida

Power of Prevention Sponsor: The Batchelor Foundation

Joe’s Sponsors: Peter & Kerrin Bermont

The Bermont/Carlin Group Stacy & John Bolduc

Coral Gables Trust Company Crispin Porter + Bogusky Advertising

Paul “Butch” & Tammy Davis Gulliver Schools

Health Foundation of South Florida McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Cindy & Mike Moran Kim & Kevin Smith

2012 Board of DirectorsOFFICERSCHAIRMAN

John L. Hofmann, CPAVICE CHAIRMAN

Neca LoganSECRETARY

Elena Jakubowicz TREASURER

Marc Breslow, CPA PRESIDENT & CEO

Peggy B. Sapp

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Maria Baluja, RN, CDERaymond Estefania

Bertram “Chico” GoldsmithGeorgee Kluck

Rona LevittJudge Norma Lindsey

Fabian Thurston

DIRECTORSEddy BareaPat Barton

James BoinkMarino Carbonell

Calvina FayRegine Jean-Pierre Joly

Angela LozanoJohn McLaughlinJoshua Manbor

Deborah MontillaJames Pfleger

Maribeth RouseffEd Stone

Mark TrouvilleDavid Vittoria

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMichael T. Fay

Join the conversationFind us on Facebook ___ Follow us on Twitter

Hurricane SeasonBegins

7:30am Red Ribbon

Certified Schools Flag Ceremony,

Edgewater High School,

Orlando

9:30am Red Ribbon

Certified Schools Flag Ceremony,

Howard Middle School,

Orlando

Father’sDay

First Day of

Summer

HELPING KIDS GROW UP SAFE , HE ALTHY AND DRUG FREE

H A P P Y FAT H E R ’ S DAY