Southbury Mother Making a Difference In the Lives of Southbury and Middlebury Teens

Michele Skidmore, of Southbury, lost her son, Chris, 20, to a drug overdose in October.

She turned her grief into something positive by working with Southbury and Middlebury Acting Responsibly Together (S.M.A.R.T).

Proceeds raised allowed her to have Edward Gerety, a nationally known motivational speaker who helps teens make healthy choices, speak to Pomperaug High School students earlier this week, according to Bill Bittar, of the Republican-American.

According to S.M.A.R.T’s website its mission is: To sponsor events and initiatives that provide valuable, healthy options for, and promote the positive, healthy development of children and families in Region 15 and the surrounding communities. Chris Skidmore graduated from Pomperaug High School.

• The organizations goals are: To support and conduct educational and other informational activities to increase public awareness of alcohol and other drug use by our young people in our communities.
• To help create and maintain a safe school environment for our young people.
• To support and conduct educational and other informational activities that address any of the concerns/barriers to the healthy and successful development of our young people.
• To support and conduct educational and other informational activities to increase public awareness of alcohol and other drug use by our young people in our communities.
• To work with various community and school organizations and individuals to provide enriching, cultural and healthy extracurricular activities for our youth.
• To provide a supportive network for families affected by substance abuse.

To learn more about SMART and how to get involved click here.