![]() More: Livonia councilwoman with health concerns serving virtually after Attorney General opinion ![]() leaders all made stops in metro Detroit over the years ![]() More: Westland's faulty crosswalk signals highlight need for pedestrian safety improvements "Everyone in our family worked for the company in some capacity, and we all followed her example," Montes said. As a nurse in 1985, she created a nonprofit, Domus Vita, which is Latin for "house of light." The Livonia-based nonprofit provides long-term care and assistance for patients with special needs across metro Detroit. Montes credits her mother, Marge Slattery, with setting an example of serving others. "The inspiration of Diane’s insight continues to shine brightly though continued conversation and meaningful collaboration, with the goal of preventing similar heartbreak in other families." "Diane followed the light of her faith to learn everything she could about how such a tragedy could impact her family," said Karen Bonanno, the executive director of the Coalition since 2015. With educational programs, financial support and key partnerships, Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition programming reached many families and young people over the past 15 years.Īs the founder of this valuable community resource, Montes was selected as the 2022 recipient of the Livonia First Citizen Award, an annual honor given to a Livonia resident for extraordinary community service. This led to the formation of the Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, a nonprofit organization connecting people to substance-abuse education, prevention and support and building a healthy community. "There was an urgent need to wake people up and do something." "It was a taboo subject to discuss at the time, but drug use was so prevalent in the suburbs," Montes said. Her determination intensified to urgency as she learned there was little public awareness 15 years ago about the growing epidemic with opioids. She discovered him lying in his bed after taking a fatal mix of heroin and Fentanyl in June 2006.Īs she processed the grief, she started a mission of making others aware of the dangers and support for those dealing with addiction. Montes found her passion through the heartbreak of losing her 22-year-old son Brian to a drug overdose. That mindset has led to her being recognized with the Livonia First Citizen Award this year. Diane Montes, founder of the Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, comes from a service-oriented family who found ways to give back to the community.
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