SOLEDAD — September was declared National Addiction and Recovery month by the City Council of Soledad.
Sun Street Centers STEPS coordinator Monica Alcantar and two of her students accepted the proclamation from Mayor Fred Ledesma on Sept. 6. The STEPS project, or Safe Teens Empowerment Project of South County, was founded in 2010 consisting of students who are successful in academics and have exhibited strong leadership skills in local high schools where they are enrolled.
“We cover all the way from Chualar to King City,” said Alcantar. “We are advocates for our community involving alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We do incorporate bullying now that it’s a big issue in our communities.”
According to Alcantar’s students, addiction effects everyone and makes recovery more important.
“A lot of our advocates are people who are in recovery,” Alcantar said.
Ledesma read the proclamation on behalf of the city council.
“Behavioral health is an essential part of health and one’s overall wellness,” Ledesma said. “An estimated 150 people in Soledad are affected by these conditions.”
Sun Street Centers is located at 2167 H. De La Rosa Sr. Street in Soledad and offers various recovery services to residents in recovery in South Monterey County including Pueblo De Mar, a safe, affordable living program for homeless families with children. Pueblo De Mar is a drug and alcohol free environment that builds social networks and support systems to foster positive lifestyles for those in recovery.
