In celebration of its Mentor Program, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) will hold its annual Gratitude Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at the Belmond El Encanto, 800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara.
 
Hosted by event founder and chair Anne Smith Towbes, the luncheon is a benefit for CADA’s Mentor Program. Keynote speaker is Bill Pintard, executive director/field manager of Santa Barbara Foresters/Hugs for Cubs.

At this year’s gathering, local teacher and CADA mentor Nan Verkaik will receive the Penny Jenkins Mentor Champion Award; and mentor Wim Verkaik will receive the first Anne Towbes Gratitude Founder Award.

Sponsorship, ticket purchase, and donation information can be found at www.cadagratitude.org, or by calling the CADA Development Office, 805-722-1320. Donors can make a contribution in honor of a mentor in their lives.

Now in its 29th year, the Mentor Program matches Santa Barbara County youth enrolled in third-eighth grades with caring adult mentors who encourage personal growth, self-esteem, academic performance, and healthy family dynamics.

Mentees are referred to CADA by school counselors, psychologists, and other school administrators who have identified at-risk behaviors that can result in poor academic studies, social difficulties, and association with negative influences.

The program currently supports 75 mentor-mentee matches, and the need for additional mentors continues to grow.
 
“The CADA Mentor Program provides support and guidance that helps young people grow, build confidence, and work toward a brighter future,” said Victoria Rightmire, CADA’s executive director.

Each year, CADA presents the Penny Jenkins Mentor Champion Award to one special mentor in honor of Jenkins’ decades of service as CADA’s executive director, and her continued advocacy of the Mentor Program.

Nan Verkaik, the 2025 Mentor of the Year, is a long-time Santa Barbara resident who has been a CADA mentor to Dian the past six years. In 2024, Verkaik spent 330 hours with Dian attending a variety of sports events and advocating for academic achievement.
 
The Anne Towbes Gratitude Founder Award is being introduced this year to honor an individual who has provided longstanding financial support to the Mentor Program.

Named in recognition of Towbes’ enduring generosity and commitment to mentorship, the award celebrates those whose contributions have helped sustain and strengthen the program, ensuring its continued impact on the community.
 
Keynote speaker Pintard of Carpinteria has led the Santa Barbara Foresters and its cancer-support charity Hugs for Cubs since 1995.

Pintard’s Foresters have finished in the top four nationally nearly every year since 2003, an unmatched record of success among summer-ball teams. He led them to 10 National Baseball Congress World Series National Championships.

Pintard directs the work of the Foresters off the field as well, raising funds, supporting Hugs for Cubs, leading board meetings, and meeting with sponsors, and community leaders.

Since 1949 CADA has delivered programs and services focused on the education, prevention, and treatment of substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions affecting youth, adults, and families throughout Santa Barbara County.

For more, visit www.cadasb.org.