The Evan Foundation Marks 3rd Anniversary, Fund Drive Gears Up

The Evan Foundation (http://evangfoundation.org/ ), one of the state’s few grassroots community-based drug education and prevention organizations, is marking its third anniversary and launching a year-end fundraising campaign.

Founders Stephanie and John Greene of Easton started the registered charitable Foundation and its ‘No First Time’ awareness/outreach program after their son Evan died of an opiate overdose in 2014. Their goal is to tell their story to as many people as possible “to ensure that no one's kid has any reason to try any drug for the first time.”

This past year, ‘No First Time’ programs were held at some 30 schools in eastern Massachusetts, reaching 6,500 students, parents and other concerned citizens. Along with the Greenes, presenters at each program include a Mass. State Trooper / Drug Recognition expert, and an individual in recovery.

In recent months, thanks to Evan Foundation funding, the first-ever scholarship award to the Northeast Addictions Treatment Center (NEATC) made possible support for an addict in recovery who was in desperate need of treatment but who had no financial means or insurance. The scholarship made possible long-term treatment in a private setting. Results? Today, that person has a full-time job and attends monthly alumni meetings.

For more information and/or to make a tax-deductible (501 C 3 charity) year-end donation, visit http://evangfoundation.org/. To schedule a presentation for your school, organization, or community program, email nofirsttime@gmail.com . Checks made payable to ‘The Evan Foundation’ may be mailed to The Evan Foundation, 234 West Center St., West Bridgewater, Mass. 02379

(PHOTO CAPTION: left to right at ‘No First Time’ program: Stephanie Greene, Patrick Cronin, John Greene)

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com