Over The Wall Foundation

Over the Wall Foundation

Youth Drug Abuse Prevention and Intervention

"Changing our future one kid at a time"

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4156 Redwood Ave

Marina del Rey

CA 90066

Tel: 323-710-1685

email: craig@otwf.org

Our Mission

The Over the Wall Foundation grew organically from the publication of my first book entitled, Drugs, Kids and Crime: Surviving our Drug Obsessed Culture. The publication of my book brought with it an unexpected avalanche of requests from schools, youth groups, Universities and colleges for me to speak to their students and faculty about my experience and research into a disease that had plagued me, and, is still plaguing our nation's youth. As a newly recovering alcoholic and addict in 2001 I had acquired much experience in the devastating damage the disease can cause, how it works and what it takes to begin to change. As I devoted myself to this recovery I embarked upon a research project to learn everything about the disease which had been killing me. That research, along with my own personal experience evolved into my first book, Drugs, Kids and Crime, and, eventually the public service work which has now become my life's mission. That mission is to help youth, schools, and families prevent drug and alcohol abuse before it starts, and intervene in any drug abuse which may already have begun.

Over the past year and a half I've donated hundreds of hours of my time conducting drug and alcohol prevention workshops and early interventions to schools and youth groups across Los Angeles, and, I've donated hundreds of copies of my prevention books to these same groups and schools. My book and prevention programs are endorsed by the L.A. Unified School District's Health Education Department and Board of Advisors, and. the Los Angeles County Department of Education has asked me to expand my programs in their schools.

As my work has evolved I've come to know and love many of the kids who've become a part of my life. I hear their stories of family abuse, parental alcoholism, hurt, and loneliness, their tales of a youth landscape littered with drugs, alcohol and violence, and the enormous pressure they sometimes feel to join in and be a part of the crowd, or numb their pain with chemical poisons.

I've also had the enormous pleasure of watching some of these same kids battle these conditions with the right tools and information and triumph over almost insurmountable odds. It's this thing, this joy that gets me out of bed every day and sends me into the world with a kind of power and purpose I never knew before. The truth is, prevention works, and myself, the kids, teachers and volunteers I work with are here to prove it.

Craig Farris - CEO/Founder

Youth drug abuse prevention author, speaker, cofounder and CEO of the Over the Wall Foundation, Craig Farris brings with him a track record of public service both in classrooms working with kids and teachers, and at the policy level striving for better programs to address the community’s needs. His vision, drive and gift for motivating others are the guiding forces behind Over the Wall’s mission and success.

Steven Lange - Co-Founder

A father of two sons, Steven Lange is a veteran treatment worker who’s experience with dual-diagnosis patients and youth make him an indispensable part of the Over the Wall team. As co-founder, Mr. Lange has been with Over the Wall since its inception and has been vital to the organization’s core philosophy and dramatic growth.

Richard Neumann - CFO

With over 25 years of corporate background, Richard Neumann is the perfect choice for CFO of the foundation. He was CFO for Cal-Gold, the 2nd largest dairy cooperative in California, Director of Finance for the Napa Valley Opera House, and is an advisor to The Core, a Santa Cruz youth group. Richard has been with Over the Wall since 2006 as the Executive Editor.