The Courage to Speak® Foundation is a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization, based in Norwalk CT, that has gained local, state, and national recognition through its drug prevention education programs for children, teens, parents, schools and communities. Ginger and Larry Katz, co-founders have been Norwalk residents for over 42 years. After losing their son Ian to a drug overdose, they decided to speak out and educate parents and children with the mission to save lives by empowering youth to be drug free, and encouraging parents to communicate with their children about the danger of drugs. Ginger Katz along with her husband Larry presents to children, parents, educators, clergy, professionals and others at many forums including state and national conferences. With a team of experts the organization developed drug prevention education curriculum evaluated and recommended by Yale School of Medicine. Many facilitators and teachers across the country implement the Courage to Speak Foundation student curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools as well as a multi-session program for parents called Courage to Speak -Courageous Parenting 101® which give parent tools to keep their children safe. Since the first presentation, The Courage to Speak® Drug Prevention Education Programs served over 20,000 students in Norwalk, CT schools alone, and many of their parents. The programs have reached 87 towns in Connecticut, 39 states, and 2 countries.
