The Evan Foundation / ‘No First Time’ Joins Mass. Nonprofit Site

The Evan Foundation, creator of ‘No First Time,’ a widely-acclaimed grassroots community-based drug education and prevention program, has joined The Giving Common, a prestigious online resource that provides information about nonprofits working to enhance communities across Massachusetts. (visit https://givingcommon.org/profile/1163345/evan-foundation/ ) The Giving Common is a project of The Boston Foundation.

Stephanie Greene, who co-founded The Evan Foundation with husband John Greene after they lost their 19 year-old son Evan to a drug overdose in 2014, said, “In joining the Giving Common, The Evan Foundation is thrilled to be able to enhance our outreach and fundraising, and share our in-depth story for wider impact. The Giving Common helps us to create buzz, raise funds, and find effective ways to instill in our youth that, when it comes to drugs, ‘No First Time’ is the only way to go. For Evan, the downward spiral started with one pill.” Mass. Governor Charlie Baker and Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter are among the long list of business and community leaders and elected officials who support the work of The Evan Foundation.

The Greene’s goal is to tell their story to as many people as possible “to ensure that no one else’s son or daughter has any reason to try any drug for the first time.” To that end, during 2017, they have organized over 30 ‘No First Time’ programs at schools and other venues in eastern Massachusetts, reaching 6,500 students, parents and other concerned citizens. Along with the Greenes, presenters at each dramatic and inspirational program include a Mass. State Trooper / former Drug Recognition expert, and an individual in recovery. A 'No First Time' program was presented for parents at Stoughton High School a few months ago.

In addition to outreach programs, the Evan Foundation supports scholarship awards, such as the first-ever award to the Northeast Addictions Treatment Center (NEATC) which 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 is in recovery with a full-time job.

The Giving Common connects prospective donors to in-depth information about nonprofit organizations to help them make informed decisions about their charitable donations. On the site, organizations tell their story in their own words. The Evan Foundation joins 1,000+ other organizations on The Giving Common site as a means to improve public transparency by providing current and prospective donors with the critical information they need to make informed philanthropic decisions. Visitors have options to ‘donate now’ by credit card or through the Boston Foundation Donor Advised Fund. The 102 year-old Boston Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in the nation.

For more information and/or to make a tax-deductible (501 C 3 charity) year-end donation, visit http://evangfoundation.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/The-EVAN-Foundation-1756868164538847/ . 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

• By Stan Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

PHOTO CAPTIONS: - Evan Greene for whom The Evan Foundation is named