Gratitude Luncheon

CADA (Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse) gave its 7^th annual Gratitude Luncheon at the Four Seasons Biltmore to honor the mentors in our lives. The event is the primary fundraising source for CADA’s long-time Mentor Program, which is a school-based prevention program to encourage positive development and education for thousands of students. As the CADA developmental director Catherine Remak stated, “In the 23 years of the Mentor Program, there have been over 2,000 kids involved, about 100 matches a year.”

CEO Ed Stonefelt told us, “Of the kids who have a mentor, 75 percent improve their grades and 92 percent are more resilient to drug and alcohol use.” Director Brita Connelly introduced and praised the luncheon founder and chair Anne Towbes and mentioned district attorney Joyce Dudley, who is also a mentor.

Sally Green was presented with the Penny Jenkins Mentor Champion Award. Until recently, Penny ran CADA for 30 years. She explained, “The mentor gets as much out of the relationship as the mentee.” She told us what a mentor does. “A trained adult mentor commits to meet once a week with a child or teen in need of academic, emotional, and social guidance. They meet for an hour to do something together.” One of the things that Sally’s mentee remembers most was watching a moonrise. She had never seen that. Or you might go to the zoo or discover which restaurant makes the best dessert. It can be totally simple or not. You are a friend, not a disciplinarian.”

The keynote speaker was Janet Garufis, who I would call Super Woman for all the boards and groups she helps in Santa Barbara, too many to list here. Besides that, she is chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust. Having started her career 45 years ago as a bank teller, she has climbed to the top. She joined MB&T in 2004 and her most memorable mentor ended up being her boss, the late Michael Towbes. As she stated, “He always trusted me and said, ‘Do the right thing,’ and you’ll be fine. He would speak and advise anyone who ask.” Michael was a major force in our community, and Janet is following in his footsteps.

If you would like to be a mentor and take a child off the waiting list or contribute to the cause financially, call (805) 963-1433 or log on www.cadasb.org.