The Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition

Names Suzy Jacobs as Executive Director

La Crescenta, CA; January 3, 2012 – The Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition (CVDAPC), which was formed a little over two years ago in order to help the Crescenta Valley build a safer community, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Suzy Jacobs as Executive Director.

Ms. Jacobs is a community activist and organizer who has made her living in government, politics, and academe.  She has strong roots in the area, developed while working in the district office of three California legislators: Senator Jack Scott and Assembly members Paul Krekorian and Mike Gatto.  She is secretary of the Healthy Start Collaborative, comprised of nonprofits serving GUSD students and she has worked with many of the leaders in the Crescenta Valley and surrounding areas.  Ms. Jacobs will lead the CVDAPC in its mission to create awareness and maintain a safe and healthy drug-free community by providing our youth a secure, caring and supportive environment.

The CVDAPC was born out of a grass-roots group of La Crescenta parents looking to address the illegal alcohol and drug use among the community’s youth.  In September 2010, the CVDAPC was awarded a five-year $625,000 grant through the Drug Free Communities Program.  Officer Matt Zakarian, President of the CVDAPC explains, “Our organization is still in its infancy; however, I am looking at the longevity of this organization and at this point we are developing and strengthening our core.  We feel Ms. Jacobs will take us to the next level.  We have had a fantastic start and are working towards a valuable goal that will strengthen this community and we are well on our way.  The Montrose/Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce notified us that the CVDAPC will be named ‘Organization of the Year’.  This is not the work of just one person, but the collective effort of everyone on the board.  Every person plays a vital role in moving this organization forward.”

Ms. Jacobs states, “I am honored to have been chosen to carry out the mission of this fine organization.  It is imperative that adults do all they can to keep our children safe and strong.  I encourage members of the community of all ages to join in our efforts to keep Crescenta Valley free from substance abuse.” 

Ms. Jacobs has a Masters in Political Science from USC, a BA in Political Science from Indiana University, and resides in Burbank with her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Reason.