Working to Maintain a Drug-Free Community

North End Against Drugs (NEAD) has been working since 1988 to provide activities within the North End community, planning family events, drug education, community programs and events to help keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.

During the recent monthly meeting at the Nazzaro Center, members discussed what type of fundraising methods to use so they can continue to keep children out of trouble and promote family interaction. Part of that discussion included an overview of a student project that will help NEAD further its mission.

President Debra DeChristoforo, who was running the meeting for the first time, introduced students from Suffolk University who will be looking at ways to help the 501 (c) (3) organization be more efficient as part of a management course they are taking.

“Their project is us and will be completed by the end of March,” she said. “Anything they can do to help us is a great idea.”

Other board members were curious to hear about the students’ plan and if they would work alone or in partnership with NEAD.

Andrew Leighton, a sophomore at Suffolk, explained he and his classmates are looking for other students to help them.

“We’re taking one class for credit,” Andrew said. “It’s more of a project than a collaboration. Students are coming up with ideas to help NEAD.”

Dina Akel, a senior at Suffolk, added that she and her classmates are looking for volunteers to help them.

“Suffolk has a lot of programs that involve volunteering,” she said.

Deb thinks the project is a good plan.

“We were looking for someone at the universities to give us ideas,” she said.  “We will help them and they will help us.”

NEAD meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street.

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