Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley will host a LifeForward workshop to help participants understand issues impacting our youth and recognize symptoms and behaviors of alcohol and substance abuse on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The free workshop will take place at Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita 91355.

Detective Bill Velek (pictured above), a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department Juvenile Intervention Team since 2010, will focus on the use and abuse of narcotics by youth in the SCV. His paraphernalia display is very enlightening and highlights the many ways that drugs can be hidden and used by our youth.

Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor Bob Sharits (pictured below) will describe symptoms and how to obtain help with alcohol/drug abuse and self-harm. The dangers of nicotine and e-cigarettes (vaping) and opioid narcotics Fentanyl and Oxycoton will also be discussed.

Previous LifeForward workshops have helped attendees manage money, select career options and pursue meaningful employment, deal with anger management, relationships and communication, file taxes, deal with cyberbullying and internet issues, overcome life’s challenges, and maintain healthy eating and exercise habits.

Workshops are designed to help participants believe in their unlimited power and potential, build the skills necessary to succeed and be the powerful women or person they are meant to be.

Zonta offers the free LifeForward workshop series for women usually on a monthly basis (dark during June, July and December), in collaboration with Single Mothers Outreach, Domestic Violence Program at Child & Family Center, Returning Women Veterans and Veterans’ Wives, and the Los Angeles County Department of Child & Family Services serving foster mothers. KHTS AM-1220 is a co-sponsor of the series with Zonta.

Workshops are organized by topics in which women express interest. A schedule of upcoming workshops is posted on www.scvzonta.org for individuals who are interested in a particular topic.

Participants are not required to register in advance, but free childcare is available for those who register at least one week in advance with Single Mothers Outreach at 661-288-0117. Spanish translation can be provided with advance request.