November 2023

Facilitator Spotlight on LuAnn Madsen

Meet LuAnn Madsen, a dedicated facilitator with CDFY, who has been lighting the path to understanding and resilience since the fall of 2019. With a profound passion for helping young minds grasp the risks and consequences associated with drug use, she has witnessed firsthand the impact of substance abuse on children within her own family and among her closest friends, instilling in her an unwavering commitment to creating a safer and more informed community.

What sets Luann apart is her love for team-building activities. She thrives on the thrill of watching students come together, bridging divides, and solving problems as a united force. Her approach is innovative and inclusive, designed to encourage students to collaborate with peers they might not typically engage with, fostering newfound connections and understanding. It’s a joy for her to witness these young minds grow and evolve as they adapt to working with new people, ultimately creating a more harmonious and interconnected community.

Thank you LuAnn for all of your hard work and dedication to the youth of our community.

CDFY in ACTION…

Check out our awesome Safety Kids performing at various elementary schools in our area during October! We love to see the enthusiasm and fun these youth bring to our mission!
We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our remarkable CDFY bus, which serves as the means to transport our talented performance groups to local schools. We’d like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional bus drivers, David Ward and Brian Douglas. It’s imperative that we also acknowledge the invaluable support from various businesses and organizations that made this possible. A tremendous and resounding Thank You is in order for the United Way of Central Missouri, Veterans United, Xtreme Body and Paint for their incredible bus paintwork, and Luetkemeyer Signs for skillfully adding our distinctive decals. Your contributions play an indispensable role in furthering our mission to inspire, educate, and foster collaboration among young individuals, guiding them toward a drug-free lifestyle.
On October 3rd, Judy and Lela has a delightful evening at the United Way Funfest in Jefferson City, spending time with local youth and sharing our mission!
On October 19th, we had the privilege of hosting Hallee Stewart (Russellville HS) and Cole Leslie (Jefferson City High School), along with their parents, at our Student of the Month luncheon. Thank you Hallee and Cole for being outstanding role models for your peers. We missed the other Students of the Month: Ben Wilbers (Blair Oaks HS) Sydney Morris (Calvary Lutheran HS) Brooke Ivy (Capital City HS) Kendall Call (Helias Catholic HS)
Ruth Block, one of our amazing facilitators, alongside our esteemed executive director, Andrea Holloway, participated in a United Way rally held at Scholastic. Together, they shed light on the profound impact of CDFY and how United Way plays a crucial role in supporting our mission to provide essential substance use prevention programs to the youth of our community.
Our COPE & Team facilitators were busy in October as well as the Safety Kids. We love seeing all our youth learning about substance use prevention, bullying and suicide prevention.

The season of giving is upon us, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to the power of generosity. It’s a global movement that reminds us of the profound impact we can make when we come together to support the causes we care about.

At the Council for Drug Free Youth, we are passionate about our mission to motivate, educate, and collaborate to promote drug-free lifestyles among youth in mid-Missouri. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support and contributions of individuals like you, who believe in the positive change we can create in our community.

Here are some ways you can get involved on Giving Tuesday:

  1. Donate: Your financial support is invaluable to us. Whether it’s a small or large donation, every contribution makes a difference.
  2. Volunteer: Consider donating your time and skills to our cause. Volunteering is a great way to directly impact our initiatives.
  3. Spread the Word: Share our mission and Giving Tuesday campaign on social media, with friends, and within your community. Your voice can inspire others to join our cause.
  4. Fundraise: Host a fundraising event or campaign on our behalf. Your creative ideas can help raise much-needed funds.
  5. Matching Gifts: Check if your employer offers a matching gift program. Your donation could be multiplied, increasing its impact.

This Giving Tuesday, we aim to expand our peer-to-peer performance groups and expand the amount of students we reach. With your help, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve and the betterment of our community.

To donate or learn more about how you can get involved, please see the photo.

We are grateful for your ongoing support and belief in our mission. Together, we can continue to make a positive change in the world.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Looking Ahead to November…