The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is excited to announce our 12th Annual Gratitude Luncheon, being held Wednesday, March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.
The event, led by Chair Anne Smith Towbes, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Susan Salcido, one of the most esteemed education leaders in our community. As the Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Salcido wholeheartedly believes in the life-changing impact of mentorships for children and young adults and has been recognized in the county and state for her compassionate leadership and impact on education.
We are also delighted to honor Jane Santos Sweeney with CADA’s Penny Jenkins Mentor Champion of the Year Award. Jane joined CADA’s Mentor Program in July 2020 from former Big Brothers Big Sisters. She and her mentee Kimberly have been matched since 2018, and Jane has been very instrumental in Kimberly’s academic success and personal growth.
The Mentor Program provides positive interaction and support to vulnerable youth in third through eighth grades by matching them with trained adult volunteers. It has demonstrated strong success at nurturing positive behaviors of mentees, who learn how to develop self-confidence and self-improvement skills. Many mentors and their mentees become lifelong friends. All proceeds from the Gratitude Luncheon go directly to maintaining and strengthening this life changing program for children in our community.
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