Barbara Zohlman, Former Executive Director of DFYIT, retired on June 30th. Barbara is a truly amazing individual who has brought an incredible amount of energy and commitment to the organization for the past ten years. Her drive and determination to champion the mission of DFYIT has led to a significant expansion of the program, including Broward County. Under her leadership, DFYIT also received its accreditation through CARF for "Prevention/Diversion: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions-Children and Adolescents." Thanks in large part to her efforts in training and leading the DFYIT staff and assisting the Board of Directors and its committees, the organization is the South Florida leader in educating and empowering thousands of students to stay alcohol and drug free. The 2005 Who's Who of Prevention Leaders in Florida award presented to Barbara Zohlman was well deserved. As a founder and former executive director of the Miami Children's Museum, Barbara has dedicated her life to the education of our communities’ youth.
We congratulate Barbara Zohlman on her fine work not only on our behalf but on behalf of the tens of thousands of children DFYIT has reached over the years. Although she will be missed tremendously, we wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.
Leslie Share, Esq. President, DFYIT Board of Directors
"Are we there yet?" As a child you might have yelled this from time to time from the back seat of your parents' car. As a parent you've heard it all too often. In this my last addition to DFYIT's e newsletter I have to reply, "Not yet" It would have been wonderful to retire as Executive Director of DFYIT with the retort, "Yes, we are there". Sadly, we must continue to travel down the road of youth drug and alcohol abuse. We might not be there yet, but we are getting closer. More youth and their parents are aware of the toll substance abuse takes on their minds and bodies. More communities are changing perceptions as to the dangers of underage drinking, prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. More policy makers understand the monetary toll that connects abuse to the cost of health care and crime.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve DFYIT for the past 10 years. Micah Robbins will be taking my place starting July 2010. He is as passionate about children and their well being as I am. Micah will be a tremendous addition to our organization and will continue to work towards getting all of us "there".
For many, summer is a time of lazy, hazy days. Vacations and mid-summer holidays are to be enjoyed. At DFYIT, our program staff is busier than ever as we are involved in summer camp programming throughout the county. Youth are not only having fun in their free time, but they are engaging in DFYIT activities designed to educate them about healthy lifestyles. We are also already preparing for the new school term which will soon be right around the corner.
A donation made to DFYIT will directly impact thousands of student members who will rejoin again FREE OF CHARGE at middle and senior high schools throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County at the start of the new term. Over 7,000 student members participated in academic year 2009/2010.
Youth participating in DFYIT's comprehensive drug prevention program are empowered with the skills and strategies they need to resist the pressures to use drugs and alcohol through leadership training, educational conferences and events, an interactive science-based curriculum, drug screenings and community service learning projects.
We welcome you to become part of a community of concerned adults and business leaders who share a vision that our children will have the opportunity to grow and mature into drug-free adults.
Thank you for taking this moment to consider a gift to DFYIT. You can easily donate online through Paypal. DFYIT accepts all major credit cards. Visit our website at www.dfyit.org and click on "Donate." Checks should be made payable to Drug Free Youth In Town and mailed to DFYIT at 16201 S.W. 95 Avenue, Suite 205, Miami, FL 33157.
Your gift is an investment in the future lives of our youth-the next generation of community leaders.
