Welcome to our seventh Sam Chase Fund newsletter. Our intention is to inform you of resources aligned with our mission of helping young adults find their path to thrive,  showcase non-profits raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, and share what we are up to. You will receive these newsletters on the 27th of each month.

Our website now has a newsletter archives, please visit our website and read each tab to get a deeper understanding of all we are doing.

Announcements

Fall brings major transitions for a lot of people with work, school, and more. We updated a new resource on our website to offer healthy coping strategies. The first resource we talk about is breathing techniques. Whether you struggle with anxiety, transitions, or stress, finding your breath can be one of the best ways to bring your body back to a calmer state. We will be adding to this tab monthly, so be sure to keep up with our on going coping strategies. To find these resources on our website, click below:

Sam's Story

   In our April edition, we shared Sam's story. The amount of love & support that was poured into us gave us the hope we needed to know we are doing the right thing by opening up. Thank you for supporting our vulnerability and standing with us as we dive deep into things that can be normally shied away from.  

For more stories like Sam's, click below to view impact stories from other loved ones who lost their young adult to fentanyl poisoning. 

Outreach

Where we are in the community

This Fall we will be out and about!  At our local community college, College of the Siskiyous, we will be participating in “EdTalks,” focusing on coping strategies, health, balancing life’s demands as students, and more. We hope to make a regular appearance in order to build rapport and lasting relationships. 

Also at COS, Chris and Courtney will be presenting a New Drug Awareness Presentation on October 3rd at 6pm. Follow our instagram to keep up with further information about that!  @samchasefund. 

At the end of October, we will have a table at the first Family Fall Festival at the Mount Shasta Resort. SCF will be there with merchandise, family fun games, flyers with information about fentanyl that all families need to know about, and more. Come see us on October 29th! 

We are partnering with a new organization and we cannot wait to share the news next month! 

Resources

We want to share what we are currently researching and learning, in order for us to share this vital information with all of you and continue to spread awareness .

Fentanyl 101: Current Data & Statistics

Research on the Dangers of Counterfeit Drugs and Fentanyl Among Teens and Adults (age 13-24)

Did you know?

• 86% of 13-24 year olds feel overwhelmed, 71% feel there is a stigma surrounding mental health issues, and only 41% even comfortable enough to talk openly about their mental health.

• The top reason stated for use of prescription drugs without a prescription was to cope with stress.

• Only 27% of teens are aware of counterfeit pills laced with Fentanyl, while only half of the young adult population is aware of this issue.

• When asked to rate how dangerous various drugs are, Only 27% of teens and 44% of young adults rate Fentanyl as a dangerous drug, which is a significantly lower rating than more well-known drugs such as heroin or cocaine.

• Nearly 1-in-4 young adults don’t even know enough about Fentanyl to rate its danger at all, creating the highest level of uncertainty among various drugs evaluated. This lack of information on fentanyl is even more common among teens (35%).
    

This information was provided by Song For Charlie. To access a full page on current data on the Fentanyl epidemic and more spotlight stats, click below

Kalia's Community

Our new team member Kalia and her powerful message

Oh, Won't You Love Your Neighbor?

​     To say that it has been a rough couple of years would be a complete and utter understatement. It has been a whirlwind of changes, uncertainty, high stress, loss, and grief. On September 2nd, our small community felt the impact of this once again as a fire ripped through neighborhoods that our friends and family have lived in for generations. Being faced with disaster once again, it begs the question: How do we respond? This question is followed up with: How can we help? 
 

      Many times we ask this question as we look into a world and system that feels broken and void - lacking what can't fully be put into words and in need of intentional attention. These are issues that need to be handled with care and held with dignity and grace, but most of all require unity and those with humble hearts willing to do the heavy lifting it takes to heal a nation. But what do we do when it feels like too much? What do we do when we want to be world changers but are overwhelmed with the many layers of brokenness? How do we help? Where do we begin?
 

 #1. Take time to care for yourself. You have been made in the image of God and YOU MATTER!

  #2. Check in with those around you.The people in your home, your neighbors, your friends, your coworkers, those who serve you within the community, etc. Check in about their specific needs and find ways that you can intentionally love them.

 #3. Get connected to local non-profits and disaster relief organizations and volunteer your time, money, or support needed. If you are unsure of where to begin please reach out to someone at SCF and we will help point you in the right direction. 
 

  How we love our neighbors and show up for them in disaster is what really matters. In our pursuit to be world changers let us first begin with those within our reach. Go out there and love somebody today! 

Please help young adults find their path by supporting The Sam Chase Fund with your tax deductible contribution.

Donations to the Sam Chase Fund are processed and administered by our partner, The Community Foundation of the North State. The Foundation is a 501c (3) non-profit foundation and all donations are tax deductible.

 Thank you to those of you who have joined our team! We are so grateful to have such dedicated, loving, talented people. Please join us in welcoming Maureen, Kacey, Kalia, and Nichelle!  

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Explore the link on how you can join the fight in spreading awareness to the dangers of fentanyl poisoning.