2013 Giving Guide: Missouri Safe and Sober

3331 East Ridgeview Street, Springfield, Missouri 65804
(417) 631-4009
www.missourisafeandsober.com
Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/safeandsobermo
Twitter address: https://twitter.com/MOSafeandSober

Total number of employees (FTE): 0

Executive Director/CEO: Kurt Larson, Founder

Advisory Board: Dr. Jim Blaine, Medical Director, Ozarks Technical College; Lisa Cox, Public Affairs Officer, Springfield Police Department; Alisa Boyd, English Language Arts Instructor, Springfield Public Schools; Mark Peck, Outreach Coordinator, Mercy Injury Prevention.

Board of Directors: Tim Boatwright, Superintendent, Halfway R-III School District; Kurt Larson, Attorney, Larson Law Firm; Pam Holt, Director, Mercy Patient Education; Lt. Jeremy J. Lynn, Greene County Sheriff’s Office; Jean Gruetzemacher, Vice President, Springfield Mercy Health Foundation

---

Mission:
To prevent underage drinking and the subsequent tragedies and loss of life that result from underage drinking by delivering high quality educational programs to all Missouri high school and middle school students.
 
Service Area:
All high schools and middle schools in Missouri

Funding:
Missouri Safe and Sober is supported by a combination of grants, financial donations and in-kind generosity of local businesses, community groups, and individuals to deliver a life-saving message.  The program uses the funds to implement new and innovative messages to engage students in the conversation about underage drinking prevention.

In 2013 Safe and Sober received a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation to expand both geographically to all Missouri high schools and programmatically by creating a student-driven middle school program and parent orientation video presentation. While the grant funds helped reach more people with this important message, the grant did not fully fund the program. Local donations will help develop materials that increase the quality of the program and encourage local participation in the program.

12-month Goals:
Educate Missouri youth and parents about the dangers of underage drinking, by creating a culture of change within our state; a culture where underage drinking is not viewed as  a rite of passage but, a dangerous decision that has severe consequences. Continue to reach more Missouri schools and students with the message of safety and sobriety. Increase parent awareness of underage drinking and promote a dialogue between students and parents about the importance of taking the Safe and Sober pledge. Encourage more high school students to present the middle school program which shows them that leading a Safe and Sober lifestyle is a social norm.

How People and Businesses Can Help:
For information about sponsorship opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation, please call 417-631-4009 or email info@missourisafeandsober.com.   

Testimonials:
“Safe and Sober has changed our school culture for seniors during the Prom and Graduation time. Our seniors seek each other out to be part of this program and sign the pledge card to be drug and alcohol free.”
-Dr. Matt Pearce, Principal Glendale High School

“Safe and Sober creates a heightened awareness in the lives of high school students regarding constructive decision making. While our culture is glorifying destructive decisions, Kurt Larson and the Safe and Sober campaign challenges our students to do it right!!”
-Kirk Slater, Assistant Principal Hillcrest High School

“I have seen the Safe and Sober program make a real and meaningful impact on my students. While sometimes it seems like young people are desensitized and unresponsive to positive messages in the schools, Safe and Sober has been that rare program that hits home with students.”
-Todd Mincks, Nixa High School Counselor[[In-content Ad]]