Our History
The reach and impact of the C.E. Mendez Foundation has grown over the past 58 years. Today, the Foundation focuses on educating children nationwide preparing them with the skills, knowledge, and drive they need to lead healthy and happy lives.
The Beginning
The C. E. Mendez Foundation was established in 1964 by Charles E. Mendez, a Florida businessman. Mr. Mendez established the Foundation to support local charities and community service organizations serving children and families in need in the Tampa Bay area.
A New Focus
In 1975, Charles E. Mendez, Jr., President, concerned with the alarming growth of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use by young people, sought to direct the Foundation’s resources to address substance abuse at its core. Recognizing that the most effective means of affecting change was through education, Mr. Mendez redirected the Foundation’s efforts to develop and deliver prevention education programs for children and adolescents.
The Foundation’s prevention programs were developed with this philosophy: that providing children, at an appropriate age, information about the negative health consequences of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use, combined with the development of critical decision making, goal setting, and social skills, delivered by professional educators who are positive role models, will inevitably result in better decision-making by our children.
In 1979, the Mendez Foundation’s philosophy was put into action when the first Grade 6 Meology classes were taught in the Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa. Mendez Foundation Prevention Specialists have been delivering prevention education in Hillsborough County area schools ever since reaching students Kindergarten through High School.
The successful implementation of these programs led to national recognition in the early 1980s. School systems from all over the country were eager to introduce drug prevention into their classrooms. In response, the Foundation began to make the curricula available to educators nationwide.
The Foundation’s team of professional educators have taken these simple concepts and developed some of the most effective and engaging prevention education programs available.
Our Ongoing Mission
Today, Too Good for Drugs, TGFV A Peaceable Place, TGFV Social Perspectives, Seeds of Nutrition, and Celebrating Healthy Choices are implemented by thousands of school districts, communities, and behavioral health agencies. Our community efforts in Tampa reach all sectors including, school, home, and community though partnerships with law enforcement, behavioral health groups, and local government. We continue to strive to set the standard for comprehensive community focused prevention.
A Timeline of Our History
Doing good work for the health and well-being of our children is nothing new for the Mendez Foundation. For over 45 years, we’ve been developing and implementing unparalleled K-12 prevention education programs that prepare children and adolescents to resist and refuse substance use, make healthy choices, and be positive peers.
