Annual Report
Each year NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc. publishes a report on its work and its concerns throughout the community. 2007 was an exciting year for NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc. The organization continues to grow and expand programs and services throughout the county. We thank all of our supporters for helping us achieve our mission of building healthy communities in Middlesex County. Click here for a copy of our Annual Report presenting an overview of major NCADD activities and accomplishments for fiscal year 2007.
Following is an Open Letter from NCADD’s Executive Director Steven G. Liga.
After an extremely hectic 2006, 2007 was calm by comparison. As we settled into our new home, we realized that 2006 disappeared so quickly that we had not scheduled a proper open house. That was rectified in May with a multi-day coming out party. A highlight of the week was the “Good Morning Middlesex” event we co-hosted with the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Though we have been members for over twenty years, we had never had enough room to host a single Chamber event of our own. Shortly after the breakfast, we bought a barbeque grill and hosted our first of what was to become many wonderful afternoon BBQ parties. It’s wonderful having a backyard at work!
This year we brought home our Coalition for Healthy Communities to our newly rededicated Jason Surks Memorial Prevention Resource Center. In the previous year, the Coalition had completely outgrown our old office and was forced to rely upon the generous hospitality of our friends at the Edison Municipal Complex and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Though our temporary hosts were nothing but gracious, it was good to be “back home.” As the Coalition continued to grow throughout the year, we adopted a rotating schedule of breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings. This way, we could accommodate everyone’s schedule - and still keep everyone well-fed.
Other community organizations that came to visit liked what they saw and began using our space, as well. One group, in particular, came and decided to stay. The New Jersey Prevention Network (of which, we are a member) decided to use our site as a permanent site for their Addiction Training and Workforce Development Initiative. As a result, we now host classes leading toward certification and licensure for addiction counselors-in-training every single Thursday of the year. This has been a perfect complement to our already successful Training@NCADD-Middlesex initiative.
Another point that I simply must share with you is the outstanding success we have had with our PATHWAYS School-based Youth Services Program in Carteret High School. After just a single year of operation, the number one referral source for new students utilizing the many aspects of the program is now students themselves. Can you imagine? In no time at all, we went from being the program to which teachers and administrators sent problem students to a program students sought on their own because they had heard about the positive energy of the place. In my mind, no other level of service comes close to highlighting our success.
Until next year’s report, I’ll have to wish you well and promise to keep in touch through one of our five newsletters, talk to you at one of our many community events, or share some incredible kettle corn with you at the Middlesex County Fair. Thanks for listening, and supporting NCADD’s work in your community for another year.
Steven G. Liga, MSW, LSW, LCADC, CPS, CCS
Executive Director & CEO
