Catalina’s CHOICES, the long-running program aimed at keeping young people in Avalon from making poor decisions about drugs, alcohol and other pressures of their age and environment, is continuing to struggle financially.
The program lost about $40,000 in funding when a major donor had to pull out, leaving CHOICES leadership to come up with new ways of generating the money it needs to continue providing guidance to the youth in this tourist town, where children are often exposed to adults in the process of abusing alcohol and/or other substances.
Catalina’s CHOICES, the long-running program aimed at keeping young people in Avalon from making poor decisions about drugs, alcohol and other pressures of their age and environment, is continuing to struggle financially.
The program lost about $40,000 in funding when a major donor had to pull out, leaving CHOICES leadership to come up with new ways of generating the money it needs to continue providing guidance to the youth in this tourist town, where children are often exposed to adults in the process of abusing alcohol and/or other substances.
CHOICES is launching a new fundraising activity this week to add to other things it is doing to remain solvent and be able to provide the hands-on services its supporters say has made a difference in the lives of many Avalon youths.
“This is a crucial time for the non-profit CHOICES organization, and we respectfully request your help. CHOICES (Citizens Helping Our Island Children End Substance-abuse) provides prevention, intervention, and education services to youth and families on Catalina Island to help them to make responsible decisions about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs,” said a message from CHOICES leaders on the Avalon Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau website.
To that end, CHOICES is asking local merchants to display a CHOICES donation container at their register counter.
According to CHOICES founding member Rhonda Kalish, the organization will ask businesses to display the container for at least one month. A CHOICES representative will deliver containers starting Monday, then collect funds raised weekly, or as often as the merchant would like.
Kalish said the credit for the current program to distribute collection containers goes to CHOICES core member Dawn Sampson. In the meantime, CHOICES leaders are exploring other avenues to increase funding.
Kalish and others involved in CHOICES recently held a planning session to develop plans to make the program more financially fit.
At the meeting it was revealed that CHOICES’ funding had dwindled to $12,547.
In 2012 its annual budget was $87,750—about $7,312 per month. Its expenses were about $20,229 more than its revenues last year.
One idea was to hire a grant writer who could bring in corporate and other donations. During a recent meeting of CHOICES leaders, the group designated Sampson to lead a fundraising team.
“We also thought of some kind of tax per drink sold in Avalon to compensate all these kids exposed to this drunken behavior,” Kalish said. “The statistics show that in Avalon some kids start drinking regularly at age 10.” While the funding has dropped off, Kalish said CHOICES is carrying on as best it can.
Another fundraising effort is CHOICES’ “Save Me Saturday” events. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays through May 18, CHOICES is taking over the Along The Way Thrift Shop. To get the community involved, Avalon residents are asked to bring donations of “previously loved” items in good condition to the thrift store (next to the Cornerstone Teen Center) and come in to shop for something new. All proceeds will benefit the CHOICES program.
While the financial struggle continues Kalish said CHOICES programs are ongoing, although with some reduction of their level of service until additional funding becomes available.
Kalish reported that CHOICES has continued to hold discussion group meetings at Avalon School for middle school age students.
“We get together with them during lunchtime on Wednesdays to talk about the life issues they are facing,” Kalish said. “Everything said in the group is confidential and they get to work through their feelings in a non-confrontational setting.”
Kalish said the group meetings have rules that include respecting their fellow panel members and what they have to say.
“We are training the young people to help other kids that are having a hard time,” Kalish said. “We train them to diffuse conflict peacefully. We are also doing an early intervention program, which we never stopped and goes throughout the school year.”
Kalish said she is hopeful the new donation container program will be a successful component.
“We already have six businesses that have signed on to have the containers in their shops,” she said.
To have a donation container delivered please call Rhonda at (310) 848-4381.
