M.A.S.H. names Castellanos as new coordinator

Like the long-running TV series, the M.A.S.H. Coalition is alive and well and wants to involve residents in addressing substance abuse prevention in the Maricopa area.

Founded in May 2006, the M.A.S.H. (Maricopa, Ak-Chin, Stanfield, Hidden Valley) Anti-Substance Abuse Coalition exists for non-profit community service. Its mission is to provide resources, promote citizen involvement and create innovative ways to prevent and reduce substance abuse, particularly underage drinking.

The coalition has a new coordinator, Dawniele Castellanos, a Maricopa resident since 2006. Castellanos has a master’s degree in social work from California State University, Long Beach. She has held social work positions in the following areas: crisis management, hospitals, adoptions, family counseling and foster care. Married and the mother of four daughters, Castellanos is an avid reader and has a local photography business.

“No matter what I do in life, I am a social worker at heart,” said Castellanos. I care deeply about people, their lives, what has happened, their future. I believe that if change is made in one person’s life; if one thing they do is different because of an encounter we have had, then that is work well done.”  

Mary Witkofski is the chairman of the coalition, and JoAnne Pinto from Against Abuse, Inc. is the project director for the coalition’s recent, federal Drug-Free Communities Program grant. Funds in the amount of $125,000 have been awarded to the coalition and are available each year, renewable for five years.

Substance abuse prevention is both ongoing and an essential task, to which the M.A.S.H. Coalition is completely dedicated.

Who makes up the coalition? Volunteers. Parents, grandparents, educators, interested community members are all invited to be part of the coalition.

“Building up a strong core of volunteers in essential. Great programs exist in Maricopa, but no one is aware of them,” Castellanos said. “Some of the programming M.A.S.H. would like to launch this year includes a substance free graduation party, increased involvement in the youth program and alcohol and drug prevention programs.  Fortunately, the sky’s the limit!” 

M.A.S.H. will hold its next general meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20, in the CAASA Youth Center, located in the Oasis Life Church building at 19756 N. John Wayne Parkway, behind Great Western Bank.

Parents, student, business people and community members are urged to participate to make Maricopa a safer community for all by working to curb underage drinking and drug use.

For additional information, contact Castellanos at [email protected].

Photo by Joyce Hollis