Seymore D’Fair Foundation | Prevention Education is our Mission

SEYMORE D’FAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Seymore D'Fair Foundation is an educator-centric non-profit organization that strongly focuses on serving the underserved preadolescent student population at K-6th grade levels. Recognizing the critical importance of early childhood education, the foundation utilizes its expertise and hands-on classroom experience to design highly effective awareness, education, and prevention initiatives tailored to this specific demographic.

The world-renowned Seymore D'Fair, the foundation's brand ambassador, is at the heart of our efforts. Through the combination of engaging content and a recognizable costume and cartoon character, Seymore D'Fair creates a formidable program that resonates with our target student demographic. This unique approach captivates and empowers young minds, making drug awareness and prevention engaging and relatable.

Our core mission revolves around fostering collaboration with like-minded organizations to maximize the impact of our initiatives. We firmly believe in the power of partnerships and actively seek synergies with local, state, and national partners to drive positive change in communities across Louisiana and America.

Central to our work is the acclaimed "Kiki's Red Ribbon School Celebration" program, a powerful in-school prevention initiative that runs concurrently with the National Red Ribbon Week Campaign. Through this program, we instill crucial life skills in students, promoting a drug-free lifestyle from an early age and setting the foundation for a healthier future.

With unwavering dedication and the support of our valued partners, the Seymore D'Fair Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to build a healthier, safer, and drug-free future for the children and youth of Louisiana and America. Together, we strive to create a lasting impact, empowering the next generation to make informed and positive choices, thus fostering a brighter tomorrow for us all.

Mika Camarena, wife of DEA Special Agent Kiki Camarena, joins Pontchartrain Elementary faculty, Mandeville Mayor Don Villere, St. Tammany Parish School Superintendent Trey Folse and DEA New Orleans Division SAC Stephen Azzam to kick off the 1st. annual Kiki’s Red Ribbon School Celebration 2018

Children & Youth Prevention Is our Mission

PREVENTION COALITION OF ST. TAMMANY PARISH!

The Children & Youth Prevention Coalition of St. Tammany (CYCST) is a dynamic and passionate community-driven coalition committed to promoting the well-being and safety of children and youth in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Our focus revolves around drug prevention, education, and building a supportive network to address the unique challenges faced by our young generation.

Our mission is to empower children and youth with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to make positive life choices and lead a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Through innovative programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships, we strive to create a nurturing environment that fosters resilience and instills values that inspire lifelong success.

As a united force, the CYCST collaborates with various stakeholders, including educators, parents, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. By leveraging diverse expertise and resources, we seek to implement evidence-based prevention strategies and interventions that make a lasting impact on the lives of our youth.

Central to our efforts is our commitment to networking and collaboration with other coalitions and organizations across Louisiana. By uniting forces with like-minded partners, we expand our reach and effectiveness, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse challenges and promoting mental well-being among our young community members.

The Children & Youth Prevention Coalition of St. Tammany envisions a future where every child and youth can thrive, free from the detrimental effects of substance abuse. Together, we continue to build a stronger, safer, and more resilient St. Tammany Parish, where our youth can fulfill their potential and lead fulfilling lives.

Kiki's Red Ribbon School Celebration 2024 Registration Open’s October 1st!

Registration:

After registering, our system will send you a validation email. Please reply to this email to complete your registration. If you're using your school email, it may block the validation email. If you don't receive your validation email via your school email, please re-register using your personal email to resolve this issue.

About the Celebration:

Every year, as National Red Ribbon Week unfolds between October 23-31, we pay tribute to the legacy of DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. His sacrifice and dedication serve as a continuous source of inspiration in our relentless fight against drug misuse. The eternal torch, a symbol associated with Kiki, lights our path as we work towards a brighter, drug-free future for our children. We hold firm to our motto, "Never Forget Kiki," as a testament to his enduring impact and as a rallying cry in our collective mission.

Kiki's Red Ribbon School Celebration is a program designed to empower elementary and middle school students from K-6th grade.

Program Summary

Theme: "I'm Better Drug-Free!"

Our theme for the year, "I'm Better Drug-Free!" resonates with the essence of self-worth, the importance of individual choices, and the value of a drug-free life. It's a compelling call to action, prompting students to recognize their inherent worth and the myriad opportunities that come with a drug-free existence

Program Overview:

Crafted by a team of certified early childhood educators, this program seamlessly melds into the school curriculum. Each grade-specific package is comprehensive, featuring:

  • Teachers' guides

  • Detailed daily lesson plans

  • Comprehensive material lists

  • Vocabulary lists

  • Engaging activity sheets

  • Insightful student assessments

With the social-emotional learning (SEL) framework at its core, the program's five 50-minute daily lessons are sculpted to arm students with knowledge and the essential tools to tread life with resilience, empathy, and keen self-awareness.

Accessing the Program:

In our quest to reach as many young minds as possible with this vital message, Kiki's Red Ribbon School Celebration is freely accessible to all elementary and middle schools. Facilitated by the Seymore D'Fair Foundation, accessing the program is effortless. Straightforward registration is all that's required. Post-registration, the grade-tailored program package can be downloaded beginning October 1st. 2024.

Join Us:

As we journey through the theme, "I'm Better Drug-Free!", we warmly invite educators, parents, and communities to collaborate with us in this significant movement. Together, fortified by the legacy of Kiki Camarena and fueled by our shared vision, let's sculpt an environment where our children are educated about the perils of drug misuse and are simultaneously encouraged to revel in the limitless prospects of a drug-free life.

Seymore’s “Post-Fair” Drug Prevention Advocacy

1987 Seymore’s Cajun Critters, & Kids “Just Say No to Drugs!”

The original 60-minute live children’s theater production of the Cajun Critters & Kid’s “Just Say No” to Drugs was launched in March 1987 in Jefferson Parish.   A private/public collaboration with Sheriff Harry Lee and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the program reached 110"+ elementary and middle schools in the metro New Orleans area. During the seven-week production, 63 daily performances were held. When completed, over 40,000 area K-6 grades students attended, making this preadolescent program the single largest drug awareness and prevention effort in Louisiana history!

Excuse the video quality, it came from a 35 year old VHS! Just small 15 minute edit of the original 60 minute program!

Adolescent Alcohol & Tobacco

WHY WE DO IT

Although prescription and illegal drugs take their toll on American society, two legal drugs — alcohol & tobacco — pose perhaps the greatest danger to children and teenagers. A child or adolescent who smokes tobacco or drinks alcohol is … “65 times more likely to use marijuana”, for example, than someone who abstains.

  • Information obtained from the American Academy of Pediatrics | Children, Adolescents, Substance Abuse, & the Media

National Red Ribbon Campaign

CONGRATULATIONS TO “KIKI’S RED RIBBON WEEK SCHOOL CELEBRATION 2022!”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Team Seymore congratulates all the elementary schools that participated in this year’s program. Individual schools and school systems from 9 different states joined Seymore in this year’s program serving thousands of young elementary students across the country.

Drug-Free Awareness Campaign

“DRUG-FREE” LOUISIANA LICENSE PLATES

Funding Drug Education

Join us by promoting a “Drug-Free Louisiana.” Your purchase of Seymore’s Drug-Free Louisiana Specialty License Plate encourages Louisiana residents to live “Drug-Free!” and provides funding for elementary and middle school education and prevention programs throughout the state.

16 hr. Elementary (K-6) School Drug Education Curriculum

SEYMORE SAYS “DON’T BE A BIRD BRAIN, AVOID DRUGS!”

This exciting new prevention program developed by ‘educators for students’ illuminates the human brain and the effects of medicine and drug use and misuse. The program combines hands-on classroom activities, pre & post-assessments, and take-home components, creating an innovative and comprehensive learning experience for students while advancing parental and community engagement.

1984 Louisiana World Exposition

WHO IS SEYMORE D’ FAIR?

 Seymore D’Fair (a.k.a. Seymour D. Fair) is a funny cartoon and costume character who was the official mascot of the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition.  His witty name is derived from the N’Awlins “Yat” phrase, “See more of the fair.” A cartoon character created by Robert Whitney along with Gary Goddard, a celebrated theme park and Walt Disney costume designer, Seymore is not your ordinary cartoon and mascot character. He has the unique distinction of being the ‘world’s first-ever character mascot in the history of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) World’s Fairs and Expositions (circa 1851).

Seymore’s “Post-Fair” Drug Prevention Advocacy

1987 Seymore’s Cajun Critters, & Kids “Just Say No to Drugs!”

The original 60-minute live children’s theater production of the Cajun Critters & Kid’s “Just Say No” to Drugs was launched in March 1987 in Jefferson Parish.   A private/public collaboration with Sheriff Harry Lee and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the program reached 110"+ elementary and middle schools in the metro New Orleans area. During the seven-week production, 63 daily performances were held. When completed, over 40,000 area K-6 grades students attended, making this preadolescent program the single largest drug awareness and prevention effort in Louisiana history!

Excuse the video quality, it came from a 35 year old VHS! Just small 15 minute edit of the original 60 minute program!

Legacy of Kiki Camarena

KIKI CAMARENA, DEA SPECIAL AGENT

Enrique S. Camarena Salazar was an undercover special agent who worked for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). His mission and that of the DEA is to eradicate all forms of illegal drug use throughout the United States.

Seymore’s Membership Program for Educators

Seymore is excited to announce our new membership site.. Memberships are FREE and give members access to Seymore’s new Elementary and Middle School Drug Awareness, Education, Prevention Programs, and Public Events.

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