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September 2026—Vol. 18
We Continue to Celebrate 25 Years of Impact!
Happy 25th Anniversary DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF)! This year we reflect upon the vision and purpose that built the DEA Educational Foundation. We celebrate our important partnership with DEA and all the partnerships we have fostered with community organizations throughout the country. We reminisce about our successful youth and community drug prevention programs that reach, inspire and protect. We honor the resilience and success of our youth working to reach their goals. The years ahead call for continued evolution, expanded reach, and renewed resolve. We celebrate the dedication of our amazing board, staff, instructors and coaches as they continue to work to save children's lives, one step at a time.
Walter Wang Completes Historic Five-Year, $1.25 Million Commitment to DEAEF
In 2021, DEAEF Board Member Walter Wang pledged a five-year commitment of $1.25 Million to help expand the DEAEF Youth Programs nationwide. This year, with his fifth contribution in the amount of $250,000, the Foundation is able to extend its reach into new schools and program sites, bringing life-changing opportunities to even more young people across America.
Mr. Wang, a member of the DEAEF Board of Directors since 2011, has been one of the most dedicated champions of DEAEF Youth Programs. His generous support has helped DEAEF to grow its reach to more than 100 cities nationwide, empowering thousands of students with the knowledge, skills, and positive mindsets needed to make healthy, drug-free choices. Also inspired by Mr. Wang’s long-standing sponsorship of the LPGA JM Eagle LA Championship and his passion for introducing youth to the sport of golf, the DEAEF has developed a partnership with the Bud Carson Middle School in Hawthorne to support the school's youth golf team, guiding students to build confidence, discipline, and teamwork through sport.
“Walter Wang’s generosity comes at a pivotal time in our nation. While we are beginning to see encouraging signs of progress in reducing drug overdoses, our work is far from over. As we are making headway, we cannot let up on our efforts; especially during this time when after-school program funding is diminishing. Now more than ever, we need to provide hope to our young generation and communities by bringing prevention efforts through education and positive, healthy alternatives such as dance, martial arts, baseball, and golf. Because of Walter's benevolent contributions, our programs will reach thousands of additional youths through our educational launch assemblies and long-term classes for students, paving the way for a brighter future and saving a child's life, one step at a time!”
—Jill L. Roberts, President & CEO, DEAEF
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this milestone possible. Your support allows the DEA Educational Foundation to reach more young people and communities with programs that educate, inspire and provide positive, healthy opportunities.
As we celebrate 25 years of impact, we are excited about what comes next. Thank you for being part of our community and helping us continue to motivate and inspire youth to live healthy, drug-free lives, one step at a time!
The DEA Educational Foundation is extremely grateful for another donation from C&S Wholesale Grocers! We strive to build upon and sustain support. Together, we will make significant impact.
Each summer, the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) helps young people discover confidence, creativity, and healthy alternatives to drugs through the power of dance. From Ohio to Maine to Nevada, DEAEF's Youth Dance Program partners with local dance organizations and community leaders to provide free, high-quality instruction where children can express themselves, build friendships, stay active, and have fun while being exposed to the benefits of living a drug-free life.
Many of these partnerships have been part of their communities for years, creating lasting opportunities for young people and introducing new generations to the joy of dance and living a healthy lifestyle.
The DEAEF Continues Our Partnership with New Ballet
Photo by Mary Gunning Media
It has been an honor to work with New Ballet Ensemble in Memphis for a decade, allowing youth to reach their full potential in confidence, self-expression and teamwork. The DEAEF continued to help support three DEAEF YDP School programs led by New Ballet in the 2025-26 school year. And, we are proud of DEAEF YDP students who performed at New Ballet's Family Night on the Overton Park Shell stage.
The DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) expanded its reach this year with the launch of its first youth baseball program in Honolulu, Hawaii, bringing after-school athletics, mentorship, and positive life lessons to youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Honolulu’s Spalding Clubhouse. This program was made possible due to the support of the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division and their desire to reach Honolulu through their community outreach efforts in partnership with the DEAEF.
The one-week program served 37 students from Honolulu and Waikiki, many of whom had never played baseball before. Only two participants had previous experience through softball.
Students attended the program after their regular school day, where they were introduced to the fundamentals of baseball in a fun, supportive environment. The week was divided into two groups, with third and fourth graders participating during the first two days, followed by students in sixth through ninth grade for the final three days.
What began as an opportunity to try martial arts through a DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) youth program, in partnership with DEA St. Louis Operation Engage, Operation Breakthrough and Bryan Carroll’s Low Kick Camp, has grown into a years-long journey of discipline, leadership, and personal growth for Kansas City teenager Isabel Rivera.
After DEA St. Louis moved its programming to another Operation Engage focused city, the DEAEF continued its programming with Bryan Carroll and offered a scholarship to Isabel. This has turned into a multi-year partnership with Carroll, not only in the Low-Kick Camp, but for scholar Isabel who has become one of the standout success stories of the program, both inside and outside the gym.
DEAEF Community Programs
Jill Roberts Speaks at GW
DEAEF President and CEO, Jill Roberts, was honored to be a guest speaker in April at The George Washington University for GW Students for One Health, supporting the global One Health movement in promoting and improving human, animal and environment health.
The DEAEF is excited to share a new free educational resource: Protect Your Brain, a self-paced 20-minute online course designed to help youth and community members better understand brain health and the impact of substance use.
Available in both English and Spanish, the online course provides engaging, science-based information about what a substance use disorder is, brain health, risk and protective factors for the development of a substance use disorder, and offers practical strategies for supporting healthy decision-making.
We encourage you to explore and share this resource with your family, friends, colleagues, and community members.
Access the course here: English | Spanish
Together, we can help build healthier communities through education and prevention.
A total of 107 students from KIPP Sol Academy in Los Angeles participated in a Health and Wellness Day hosted by the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) in partnership with DEA Los Angeles’s Operation Engage Year 5.
Held on June 1, 2026, the event brought together students in grades 5-8 for an engaging, hands-on experience focused on prevention education, physical activity, creativity, and personal growth. The program was the result of planning and collaboration led by DEAEF Director of Special Events Amy Danos and built upon successful health and wellness events previously held in the Seattle area. The program allowed DEAEF and its partners to engage Los Angeles students through multiple educational and activity-based experiences over the course of the day. Designed to reinforce healthy decision-making while introducing students to healthy ways to express themselves, the event encouraged participants to explore sports, dance, art, and other activities that support lifelong health and wellness.
Fentanyl Free America and CADCA
The DEA Educational Foundation was happy to participate in two national prevention events the week of July 12, 2026: CADCA’s 25th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute and the inaugural DEA Fentanyl Free America (FFA) Summit in Orlando! The Foundation participated in many ways in the events. Jill Roberts was proud to participate as a panelist led by Deterra Drug Deactivation System for the session “Why Prevention is Critical in Your Communities.” The Foundation was happy to have a booth and participate in important partner meetings throughout the week. And, finally, the DEAEF was proud to be a co-sponsor, along with partnering sponsors Deterra Drug Deactivation System and Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions, of the DEA Fentanyl Free America (FFA) Awards reception where organizations and individuals were recognized for their important work in support of one of three pillars of the FFA Campaign: Protect, Prevent and Support.
DEAFNA Annual Conference
Members of the DEA Educational Foundation were thrilled to attend the 2026 Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (DEAFNA) Annual Conference in Hilton Head, SC! The conference was held from September 10–13 at the Sonesta Resort and was attended by over 150 DEAFNA members. DEAEF Executive Office Consultant Lois Ludwikowski gave a presentation to update attendees on our prevention work across the country, and to announce that we are celebrating 25 years of impact! Lois also expressed the Foundation’s tremendous value of our partnership with DEAFNA. DEAEF fully supports their vital mission of preserving goodwill among former federal narcotics agents and other DEA personnel, as well as providing mutual assistance to the membership and to assist DEA in its mission of drug law enforcement.
DEAEF Spotlights
Staff Spotlight: Christina Pastras
Christina Pastras, Associate Director of Youth Programs at the DEA Educational Foundation, is a passionate advocate for youth, the arts, and community impact. Christina brings more than 25 years of experience in community outreach and youth programming.
Before stepping into her Foundation role, she spent over 15 years as a professional ballerina and dancer, performing internationally with renowned companies. This experience shaped her deep appreciation for the transformative power of the arts. Since joining the Foundation through Philadelphia programs in 2015, Christina has dedicated herself to empowering young people through education, prevention, and creative expression.
Her unique blend of artistic background and community leadership allows her to connect with youth in meaningful, lasting ways. Through her work, Christina engages directly with families, hearing firsthand the impact of these programs and the growing need for prevention resources nationwide.
At program kick-off events, Christina says,
“I’m inspired by the thoughtful, honest questions young people ask about drugs and alcohol; this is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.”
Christina’s commitment helps create spaces where youth feel seen, supported, and inspired to make positive choices.
Celebrating DEAFNA Scholarship Recipient Audrey Staffieri
Congratulations to Audrey Staffieri, who was presented with the DEAFNA Scholarship Award honoring William Alden on behalf of the DEA Educational Foundation.
The scholarship recognizes Audrey as she takes the next step in her education and continues the DEAEF's commitment to supporting and encouraging the next generation.
Congratulations, Audrey!
In The News
More than Four Million Fentanyl Pills and 1,158 Kilograms Seized in Six-Week Fentanyl Enforcement Campaign
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration concluded its inaugural Fentanyl Free America Summit alongside CADCA’s 25th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute with more than 2,500 participants—including leaders in law enforcement, prevention, public health, education, recovery, faith communities, and more than 350 youth—to strengthen the nation’s coordinated response to the fentanyl crisis.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Impact
As we celebrate 25 years, we are grateful to the donors, partners, staff, coaches and supporters who make our work possible. Thank you for helping us continue to reach, inspire and support young people and communities across the country.
We look forward to continuing this important work together, one step at a time.
ABOUT THE DEA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
The DEA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization established in 2001, whose goal is to educate the public on the many costs and consequences of illegal drugs in our society.
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Inquiries, comments, and/or questions? Contact Meredith Liepelt, Project Consultant and Staff Writer, DEAEF
The DEA Educational Foundation is not part of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Neither DOJ nor the DEA approves, endorses, or authorizes the Foundation, its materials or its fundraising efforts.