Mission For Marcus

03/05/2026

Mission For Marcus & many other local agencies & non profits attended NECAP’s, 8th Annual Youth Summit at Albany Capital Center. It was well attended with many area schools bringing students to empower them to make healthy choices through engaging speakers and exhibitors on topics like substance use, mental health and positive choices.
Shout out to BCHS!!! 🧡🖤

01/10/2026

We spent 2 days at CBA with Stephen Hill & Mission For Marcus. Stephen conducted 2 impactful assemblies & 10 breakout sessions with students in 8th-12th grade. He shared his story & as a lawyer, shared his knowledge of the law with seniors.

We had the opportunity to interact with the “Brothers”, staff included. Everyone was so respectful & curious about what Mission For Marcus was about. One young man in particular stood out as he came up to me by himself, offered his condolences, and shared his faith & assurance that we would see Marcus again one day. It was a tender, thoughtful conversation that made such an impact on me. These moments are why we focus our attention in schools.

Another group came to our table & thanked us for bringing this information to them to educate & bring awareness about making healthy decisions.

We’d like to thank Chuck Abba, Dr.Josh Lewyckyi, Dr. Jim Schlegel, Stephen Hill, & all the brothers for these amazing, fulfilling 2 days.

05/25/2025

Wednesday was Awareness/Wellness Day at BCHS. Laura Stack was the speaker from Johnny's Ambassadors. Her son took his own life while dealing with psychosis from ma*****na
abuse.
The gym was filled with local organizations from the recovery & mental health field, and students could go to each table to seek information & just interact with the volunteers. Mission For Marcus gave out crazy socks when students answered trivia questions on va**ng, ma*****na, substance abuse etc.
Thank you to the members of SADD & their Advisor Ms. Westervelt, who planned this impactful event, the students who were respectful & engaging, & to the administration & staff at BCHS who have supported us in helping to provide prevention & education regarding stigma associated with Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health.

03/06/2025

NECAP's Annual Youth Summit at the Albany Capital Center today. Met with students & educators from area high schools in the Capital district as well as listening to speakers share their experiences related with substance use disorder & mental health.

01/10/2025

We spent the day at CBA with Stephen Hill. It was great reconnecting with Chuck Abba, spending time with Josh Lewyckyj & all the fine young men who attend there.

09/10/2024

Come join us Sept 21st to celebrate Recovery Month! See flyer for details.

Join Us As We Celebrate Recovery Month!

06/02/2024

Ella Venter & Anna Walston were this year's recipients of the Marcus Kaplan Spirit of Life Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations & best of luck in your future endeavors. Continue to inspire, a bright future awaits you!!

03/04/2024

https://spotlightnews.com/towns/bethlehem/2024/02/21/local-couple-who-lost-their-son-to-substance-abuse-share-their-story-with-a-new-generation/

As we approach the 5 year mark without Marcus, we thank the Spotlight Newspaper for sharing our story. As a community, let's continue to work together to end this drug epidemic and the stigma endured by those suffering from Substance Use Disorder(SUD) and underlying mental illness. Let's tear down the walls of stigma & shame and build bridges of hope, compassion & love.

Mission for Marcus aims to impart a message of hope BETHLEHEM — When Mark and Teresa Kaplan described their son, Marcus, his love of sports sprang to mind first. Marcus’s life is sketched out with …

12/01/2023

https://samhsa.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d0780dc94825e65acd61c17dc&id=0574fccc0a&e=84fffc5fec

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11/14/2023

10/13/2023

Thank you to Stephen Hill for sharing his story to the Bethlehem 8th graders & then having breakout sessions with the students in their health classes. He concluded the day with another talk last night with parents and students. It was a powerful discussion on the effects of alcohol, ma*****na , va**ng, and drugs & how our choices effect not only us, but our those around us. Stephen did all this while just welcoming his 1 day old baby girl!!!
Thank you to Mike Klugman for arranging this day for his students, and for the support of Mission For Marcus.

09/27/2023

Stephen Hill is coming back to Bethlehem, this time to speak to the 8th graders and then hold break out sessions with the students.
Evening program for parents