The History of LEAF
- The LEAF Council on Alcoholism & Addictions was founded in 1982 by Otsego County residents who were concerned about the effects of alcohol and substance addiction on the lives of susceptible individuals, their family members, and the community as a whole.
- LEAF’s founders dedicated our non-profit organization to helping create a community where children and adults could live in healthy environments, free from the effects of the diseases of alcoholism and other addictions.
- Over the past two decades, LEAF has addressed that primary mission through education, public advocacy, referral, support, and by collaborating with other agencies and organizations that share LEAF’s values and mission.
- Having begun its work in 1982 with volunteers and a small budget, LEAF has grown incrementally in the past 20 years in response to the demands of its mission. Under the leadership of its board members and co-founder Elizabeth Currier, LEAF has expanded to a paid staff of eight professionals that operates with a budget approaching a million dollars annually.
- Today, LEAF provides Otsego and Chenango County residents with front-line information, referral services, and support for alcohol and substance addictions, conducts research-based education programs in area schools; operates the Otsego County ImpairedDriver Program for the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, and provides alcohol and other drug awareness programs.