Congratulations to Diane Montes, the founder of the Save Our Youth Coalition and a St. Genevieve–St. Maurice parishioner, who was recognized with Livonia’s 2022 First Citizen Award. Diane comes from a ser-vice-oriented family who found ways to give back to her community. She found her role through the heartbreak of losing her 22-year-old son Brian to a drug overdose in June 2006. As she processed the horror and grief, she started a mission of making others aware of the dangers of addiction and offering support for those dealing with the disease. Then her determination intensified to urgency as she learned there was little public awareness 15 years ago about the growing epidemic with opioids. This led to the formation of the Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, a non-profit organization connecting people to substance-abuse education, prevention and support, and building a healthy community. With education programs, financial support, and key partnerships, Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition programming reached many families and young people over the last 15 years.
Diane credits her mother, Marge Slattery, with setting an example of serving others. As a nurse in 1985, she created a nonprofit, Domus Vita (Latin for “House of Light”), that provides long-term care and assistance for patients with special needs. The Livonia-based organization operates several facilities across Metro Detroit. With Livonia Save Our Youth, Diane formed partnerships with St. Mary Mercy Hospital, local schools, church groups, Livonia Police, Livonia Fire, and city officials.
Diane praises the work of fellow parishioner and executive director Karen Bonanno, along with other original board members who have been with her the entire time. Donations, grants and an annual race generates the money for the Coalition’s work each year
The Coalition has provided more awareness and resources in Livonia, and Diane said she believes there is less stigma about discussing drug use–which is vital with the community’s increased mental health and addiction concerns in the aftermath of the pandemic. Diane and her Bentley High School sweetheart, Andy, have been married 43 years, with 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Many of her community-minded relatives continue to live in Livonia. They play golf together each year to raise money for the Brian Montes Foundation which provides scholarships for those in need of treatment programs and recovery group homes.
Please pray for the mission of the Save Our Youth Coalition, and also for the continued healing of the people they have helped through the years.