(805) 720-6986
LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Mission Statement: Connecting families and friends of addicts to support, services and education to help them avoid the pain due to substance abuse and overdose.
With LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE we want to be that helping hand between the addict and the system. We want to help educate families and friends of the sustances that are being abused and killing our loved ones.
Steps to Recovery
You decide to get healthy
You ask for help
https://www.sbcc.edu/healthservices/emergency.php
letsmakeadefferencesm@gmail.com
Attend a meeting
http://www.aa52centraloffice.org
Get a sponsor
http://www.aa52centraloffice.org
Commit to your sobriety
Enroll in an inpatient or outpatient treatment program
Gallery
Founder / President
My name is Danielle Murillo, I am a mother of three beautiful children. But, I lost my oldest son Jaycob to a heroin overdose on July 19, 2018. He struggled with addiction for almost 10 years. As a mom, you never want to admit your child has a problem, much less a problem with drugs. All the signs were there, but I wanted so badly to believe my son. I failed to educate myself, to seek out help, for myself or for him. I started this nonprofit for two reasons. One, I know my son's war with drugs had meaning, I am to use his story to save the lives of others. Two, I want to educate the loved ones of an addict. Losing someone to an overdose is preventable. I want to help educate families and friends of addicts, so they won’t have to feel the pain and void of overdose. I want to help those addicted to drugs and alcohol find the resources they need to get help. My goal is to advocate for businesses in the community and sponsor families and addicts when needed.
May 4, 2022
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Secretary
My name is Gail Patterson. I work in healthcare and became part of Let’s Make A Difference due to my friendship with the founder of Let’s Make A Difference, Danielle Murillo. Although I do not have any personal experience with addiction or overdose; I am aware of the tremendous need for community resources to address the issue. I am also committed to the mission of educating the community to overcome the stigma associated with the disease. I am excited to be a part of Let’s Make A Difference and I look forward to making a positive impact on the problem of addiction and overdose.
May 4, 2022
This is your Resources Section. It’s a great place to update your visitors about industry news, or publish relevant announcements about your forum. Informational articles can be a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field, and keep your visitors engaged. You can also use this space to share relevant tips and offer links to external resources.
.jpg)
Volunteer
My name is Alyson Dunlap and I am a proud volunteer of Let’s Make A Difference because I have been friends with the founder Danielle Murillo for more than many years. Jaycob is her son; but he and his siblings were a huge part of my family since our kids were in elementary school. My kids felt that they were our family all their lives.
I believe we can Make A Difference in the way people view addicts… We keep the hope in our hearts that if someone is hooked on a drugs, alcohol, or sex or whatever the case may be that you, me and them can see who they were and who they can still be in life.
The saying “It takes a village to raise kids” is something I whole heartedly believe!
May 4, 2022
This is your Resources Section. It’s a great place to update your visitors about industry news, or publish relevant announcements about your forum. Informational articles can be a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field, and keep your visitors engaged. You can also use this space to share relevant tips and offer links to external resources.
Treasurer
I lost my best friend/cousin to mental illness and substance abuse in 2018. I watched him struggle for many years without knowing what to do or how I could help. I honestly had no real knowledge of addiction aside from societies teachings that are rooted in discrimination and stereotypes. I knew I needed to do something, so I went back to school to study human services- cooccurring disorders. Everything I thought I knew about addiction was wrong. It is a disease that has no boundaries and an illness that effects the whole family. About halfway through my degree coursework my cousin lost his battle. Several months later Let’s Make A Difference was started. We needed to do something to raise awareness. To spread truth and help provide recourses to persons struggling and their loved ones. I am honored to be able to do this for my cousin who wanted so much to be the one sharing his story and making a difference in the lives of others suffering with substance abuse and mental illness.
May 4, 2022
This is your Resources Section. It’s a great place to update your visitors about industry news, or publish relevant announcements about your forum. Informational articles can be a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field, and keep your visitors engaged. You can also use this space to share relevant tips and offer links to external resources.
Volunteer
Hi, my name is Lisa Coker. I am a Program Specialist for Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. In this position, I serve as the Homeless Liaison for Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. I also am the facilitator for Parent Project, Nurturing Skills for Families, and the Within My Reach programs. I received my Associate’s degree in Liberal studies from Allan Hancock College and my Bachelor’s degree from Chapman University in Social Science.
I am second generation, born and raised in Santa Maria Valley and I love this community. I believe this community is hard working and family oriented. I get the greatest joy from working with youth and believe that serving our younger generation is how best to leave a positive footprint in my community. I am a mom most importantly and find the most fulfillments in this role. I have biological, adopted, and foster children. I enjoy taking my kids on trips and giving them many life experiences, they might not have otherwise had. For many years now I have seen the demise of this community due to drug use and homelessness. I also believe that both of those epidemics are the result of an underlying issue of mental illness. My hopes for working with Let’s Make A Difference is to shed some light on these issues in a concentrated effort in our community.
“In a world where you can be anything… BE KIND!”
May 4, 2022
This is your Resources Section. It’s a great place to update your visitors about industry news, or publish relevant announcements about your forum. Informational articles can be a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field, and keep your visitors engaged. You can also use this space to share relevant tips and offer links to external resources.
Vice President
May 4, 2022
My name is Tonya Goodson, I am the Vice President of Let’s Make a Difference. I am a recovering drug addict with eight years clean and sober. I have lost many friend and some family members due to addiction. It’s my mission now to help other addicts and family of addiction with the tools I’ve learn through my recovery that have helped me get clean and stay clean.
Volunteer
May 4, 2022
I am Connie Branquinho and I am a volunteer for Let’s Make a Difference. I lost my beloved son Brandon Claude on May 30, 2021. He died from fentanyl poisoning. Daniele reached out to me after Brandon’s death. She gave me support and helped me to better understand addiction, overdose, and fentanyl poisoning. Daniele offered me an opportunity to join Let’s Make a Difference. I felt called to action. I wanted to try and do something to help others going through addiction, and hopefully prevent the tragedy that I am living in someone else. I never thought my son would not be in my life. Losing him made me know how fragile life is and how one bad choice can be your last choice. I didn’t want Brandon’s death to be meaningless. I want to bring awareness to the fentanyl epidemic and I want others who are suffering from addictions to know there is help. Together, we can make a difference, and we can save others from the loss of addiction.
SAVE THE DATE
Annual Let's Make A Difference Overdose Awareness Event
Pioneer Park, Santa Maria
12:00-4:00PM
August 24, 2024
Youth Activities Memory Wall
Testimonials Silent Auction
Food Fundraiser Resource Booths
Craft Booths Entertainment
Informational Speakers
Remembrance Cermony
letsmakeadiffernecesm@gmail.com
(805) 720-6986