advocacy

Now that things are settled down (in the major drama department) I'm trying to get back into the advocacy "stuff".  I have some many ideas and making some progress in some of them.   In fact, I can't share one of my ideas now because I haven't sent the letter, yet.  And I need to see what the response will be.  Truthfully, the answer will most likely be "no" ~ but stranger things have happened so I figure ~ how can it hurt?  My idea is to make a bigger splash with our fundraising efforts, to bring awareness to what this organization does AND to help to dispel the stigma that is associated with this disease, than what we're making now. So it will be interesting to see if I get a reply. One other idea I had was to write a letter to the executive director at the adolescent drug treatment center our son was a resident a year ago last summer, which I did last week.  In the letter I told him of my sister-in-law's school district and what they're receiving through an adolescent drug treatment center. My sis-in-law is a high school guidance counselor (in another state) and her school district joined an outreach program provided by their local treatment center.  In fact, it is very impressive!  They also have an informal intervention for kids who need help, a program for parents (given during Freshman Orientation and the mandated sports meetings), and a program for students. For current and alumni they also provide education and vocational support that looks awesome! In addition, the treatment center not only has an impressive financial support system, but their fundraising is highly publicized - that includes a telethon and a professional sports team that participates in their other fund raising efforts!  I received a quick reply from the director and he said he's only managed to glance at what I sent him but said it is very impressive (with lots of possibilities based on what he's managed to read so far. He told me he would get back with me sometime next week.  So that will be interesting to hear what he has to say. I have other things in the works as well...... we will see....