By Debbie Whiteley
Contributed
Led by Bob and Patty Bryant, 41 local community leaders have returned from the 2019 Summit for Danny International Climb in the Swiss Alps.
This year’s climb raised nearly $180,000 for the Daniel Bryant Youth & Family Center, which is home to the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) treatment programs for local teens struggling with substance abuse.
More than 6,500 teens have been served by the center since it opened in 2001.
Since the international climbs began in 2000, more than $3.2 million has been raised to support the Daniel Bryant Youth & Family Center. The effort was launched after the death of Bob Bryant’s son Danny from a drug overdose.
Bob Bryant committed himself to turning his tragedy into hope for others by raising funds to create an adolescent drug and alcohol treatment center.
“We are deeply grateful to Bob and Patty for their dedicated leadership of this important annual fundraising effort on behalf of this critical CADA program,” said Scott Whiteley, executive director of CADA. “We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined this year’s climb and to the many people who gave so generously in support of the Daniel Bryant Youth & Family Center.
“Their commitment to helping local teens overcome drug abuse is vital to making our community healthy and strong.”
Over the past 18 years, dedicated climbers have trekked Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Canadian Arctic, Peru, Ecuador, Bhutan, Patagonia, Mont Blanc, Bosnia, New Zealand, the historic Camino de Santiago, Spain, Norway and Iceland.
Due to the interest in this year’s climb, two hiking groups journeyed trails from Interlaken to Zermann. Local leaders joining the climb included Montecito Bank & Trust chairman/CEO Janet Garufis, a third-year Summit participant. Over six days, the hikers traversed some 50 miles of steep terrain, reaching elevations of 11,000 feet on Summit Day.
All participants cover their own expenses and are additionally responsible for raising a minimum donation, which allows every dollar contributed by the public to directly benefit CADA’s Daniel Bryant Youth & Family Center.
For 70 years, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) has delivered a range of programs and services focused on preventing and treating the disease of alcohol and drug addiction affecting youth, adults and families in Santa Barbara County.
Youth service specialists and school-based counselors work with youth at risk for mental health or substance abuse problems, and CADA’s school-based mentoring program provides at-risk youth with trained adult mentors who offer academic, social, and emotional support to resist alcohol and drug use.
The Teen Court diversion program provides first-time misdemeanor offenders with a second chance and includes Parent Program education and support groups. Outpatient substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling for teens and their families are provided at centers in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.
Adult services are available through the Resource and Referral Center at Project Recovery and through the SAVE employee assistance programs offered to local businesses. Services include a residential treatment center, adult outpatient treatment programs, and a Perinatal Treatment Program that serves pregnant or parenting women and fathers and includes on-site childcare.
To learn more about Summit for Danny Switzerland or learn about future international climbs, visit www.SFDInternational.org.
