The purpose of our lives is to be happy. ~ Dalai Lama

For many it is easier to state than to achieve. We want it for ourselves. We want it even more for our children.

The Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition was formed to keep kids safe, healthy, and happy. One way to reach this goal is through the involvement of parents. For years we have held free parent sessions at the Y on Tuesday nights from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The session on March 12, For Men Only, is a chance for dads to talk to other dads. Local dad Mike Antonovich supports this year’s sessions.

Recently we have made presentations at your PTA meeting, the Armenian Community & Youth Center, and the Korean Language School. We are available to do more!

And we encourage parents, guardians, and other adults in the area to attend a free Community & Family Summit on Thursday night, March 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CVHS in the MacDonald Auditorium, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., La Crescenta. Clay Roberts will present a list of traits shared among productive children, the 40 Developmental Assets®.

One asset that resonates with me (older parent, single child) is having non-parental adults in a child’s life. These adults could be a coach, a cleric, someone’s mom or dad, a relative, a doctor, a counselor, a neighbor or a teacher. These adults express their availability in word and deed. They listen, drive, feed, educate, love, honor and help a child grow. Our daughter has other adults in her life, and we are grateful she can trust them when she won’t talk to us. One asset down, 39 to go!

Apparently Clay’s message resonates, and it sticks. My board member, Nancy Stone, heard him speak 10 years ago and has waited a decade to have him back at CV for a new generation of parents and children. Next Thursday night’s the night.

We hope to see you there. If you need free childcare, call the First Baptist Church of La Crescenta at (818) 249-5832 to reserve space.

If you want more information about CVDAPC, email me suzy@cvdapc.org. 

  Suzy JACOBS