Local business joining together to provide free activities to be available to youth, offering them an alternative to substance use and partying

1. COA is a 501c3 non-profit service.
Call Us: 949-388-0114 X 205
Local Youth Discover Passions and Hone
Skills ~ The healthy alternative to drugs
and alcohol
By Eileen Spatz
There is nothing new about the age-old problem of teens
with too much time on their hands and the trouble that can
then ensue. As the saying goes, “Idle hands are the devil’s
workshop.” What is new is the horrible and significant
proliferation of drug and alcohol use among adolescents in
communities across the nation. Alarm bells are going off as
both small towns and large cities witness death after death
of teens and young adults who have fallen prey to the lure of
getting high, and the drugs—such as prescription pills,
heroin, and spice–that ultimately killed them.
The Community Responds

2. Here in San Clemente, California a call to action by families
and community leaders has culminated in the creation of
Community Outreach Alliance (COA), a partnership among
key figures in the local community who are committing time
and resources to help battle the scourge of drug addiction.
For the underlying theme of this collaborative effort, COA
believes that for kids who are kept busy with activities that
not only distract them from the temptation of drug and
alcohol use, but also lead them to discover their personal
passions and skills, lives will not only be saved, but will
flourish.
Light a Fire
Stoking passions, be they in art or music, developing a new
skill, or discovering a new hobby, is very important during
the developmental stage of adolescence. Through the
alliance with Talega Life Church (TLC), COA offers free
acoustic guitar lessons, art lessons, yoga, dance and music

3. events, community outreach events, and even a gaming club
to inspire teens and engage their souls.
What teen or young adult wouldn’t benefit from participating
in outdoor activities? Studies have shown that physical
activity may actually prevent substance abuse. According to
Nora D. Volkow, M.D, Director of the National Institute on
Drug Abuse, “Although people tend to think of exercise as
good for the body, it also benefits the brain by stimulating the
brain’s reward pathway which heightens mood-boosting
neurochemicals.” Because so much drug and alcohol use is
associated as way to self-mediate an accompanying mental
health issue, such as depression or anxiety, the fact that
physical activities may help to elevate mood and relieve mild
depression is what drives COA’s activity calendar.
The newest addition to their fitness activity calendar is a
running club led by Chris Perez, a senior at JSerra Catholic
High School. According to Chris, “The benefits of running
are vast and endless. Stamina, skill, strength, speed and
spirit – – but the greatest of these is spirit. Whether you are
new or experienced at this sport, you will enjoy the physical
and mental boost that running provides.” His group meets at
local trails or the SCHS track and features fun-run events.
Remember how “laughter is the best medicine?” Now COA
is partnering with Jeannine Marquie, Director of the COA
Improv & Comedy Club to provide comedy sports and
improv techniques to teens and college students. Ms.
Marquie will partner with the youth alliance comedy duo,
Daniel Klevit and Sophia Racke from the SCHS Improv Club
to interject some humor and fun into the lives of the kids over
the summer.
Who is the Community Outreach Alliance?

4. Out of the recent tragedies of so many lost local teens and
young adults to drugs, alcohol, and suicide, parents and
activists stepped up and began organizing in 2013. Pastor
Pondo Vleisides was instrumental in kicking off the charge
by hosting several gatherings at TLC for concerned
community members to become informed and engaged, as
well as organizing free activities for teens.
Momentum built, and the alliance now includes such
prominent members as Dr. Bill Sears, MD/author, Brad
Baker, PhD and Vice Principal at San Clemente High
School, Mark McElroy, PhD and Head Football Coach at
Saddleback College, Don Muir, DMD, Community Activist,
Kristen Schultz, Nutrition and Wellness Instructor, Pondo
Vleisides, Executive Director, COA and Founding Pastor,
TLC, and Lauren Leland, founder Save SC, among many
others. In addition, COA partners with Jodi Barber and
Christine Brant, Executive Producers of the Overtaken
documentary series and founders of One Choice Can
Destroy.
With such a heartfelt response by the San Clemente
community and local businesses, this mission to redirect
youths to constructive, wholesome, and inspiring activities
will indeed make a difference. Once kids are engaged in
these programs, you will never hear “There’s nothing to do”
again.
COA is a 501c3 non-profit service that, in addition to the
great activities, also offers various resources for teens in
crisis. To become part of this phenomenal effort to change
lives, you may donate to COA on their website or sign up to
receive emails and volunteer opportunities.
………………………………….

5. Written by Eileen Spatz, San Clemente resident
Eileen Spatz raised her family in San Clemente. Her son,
Chris Spatz, who graduated from SCHS in 2006, suffered
from depression in adulthood, which led to an alcohol
addiction and, ultimately, suicide in October of 2013. She
has since joined in the efforts of COA in her quest to help
other troubled teens and young adults before it is too late.