About Us
Be enough for yourself first.
The rest of the world can wait!
Love, Cassidy is a 501 (c)(3), non-profit organization based in Grapevine, Texas that was founded in 2012 after Cassidy’s passing of an accidental drug overdose. The foundation honors Cassidy’s memory by striving to help youth and their families overcome substance use disorders, as well as prevent underage substance abuse from even beginning.
Why Love Cassidy
What Drives Us
When we lost Cassidy, we knew that we had to do something to help kids struggling with addiction. Losing Cassidy taught us that no one sets out to become addicted and self-destruct. No. They just happened to find something that changes the way they feel, and they want more. And for some people more turns into never enough.
We’re driven to help kids avoid even trying substances by helping them embrace their personal power, and the hopes and dreams of their future. When they feel purposeful and empowered, then they are more apt to make powerful choices in the face of pressure.
Families and communities drive us too. We’ve all seen the devastation that addiction leaves on families and communities. Stigma and judgment keep people from understanding the scope of the problem, and seeking help. This is why we are driven to start conversations with families and communities. No one is immune to the damaging effects of addiction. When one person suffers, many people suffer. We truly are all in this together. And that’s what drives us.
What We Do
Prevention through education is a powerful tool for addressing the deadly disease of substance dependence. Love Cassidy provides both education and prevention programs for those affected by drug and alcohol dependence. We teach extracurricular courses for youth in Dallas-Fort Worth area schools, we lead support groups for parents, and our speaking engagements include community organizations, police departments, professional groups, and other venues where people are open to learning more about the signs and prevalence of substance abuse among youth.
About Love, Cassidy
OUR VISION
Love Cassidy inspires healthy and happy communities free of alcohol and drug abuse. With community engagement, Love Cassidy offers adolescents drug alternatives and opportunities to lead purposeful, creative lives.
Meet Our Board of Directors
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SUZANNE MITCHELL-SEWARD
Executive Director
Every single thing that Suzanne has experienced in her life has prepared her for what she is doing now, no book could have taught her these things. And it is Suzanne’s Faith that keeps her going. One of Suzanne’s favorite quotes is “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and help them to become what they are capable of being.” by Johann Wolfgang von Goth.
Helping others is the core of who Suzanne is. Her passion is to help them find who they are, showing them self-awareness and what it means to be real, in the crazies of life. Building upon their strengths, helping them to find THEIR passion. To think strong ~ to be strong!
Suzanne has worked in the design field most of her career and has a home redesign/staging business. Zach ~ Samantha ~ Cassidy are the three loves of her life. She always has a house full of dogs and a cat named Mitties, likes to travel, loves chocolate, and spending time with her family and friends.
ZACH SEWARD
Communications Director
Zach holds two Bachelor's Degrees from the University of North Texas. He currently manages the Southern US for Expense Reduction Analysts, a consulting firm based in Addison, TX. He previously spent 4 years in Revenue Management with Hilton at their corporate offices in Addison, Texas.
He holds a close, personal passion for raising awareness through Love, Cassidy, and brings an invaluable perspective to driving the cause of awareness and prevention.
Zach is the son of Executive Director; Suzanne Seward and brother of Cassidy Seward. Zach has been involved with the foundation from its inception in 2013 and has assisted with multiple fund-raising events throughout that time. He is a Grapevine native currently living in Addison, Texas, and can be found on the weekends traveling, outdoors, or spending time with his two pit-bulls, Zeus and Kyah.
DON ELLIOTT
Treasurer
Don Elliott joined the foundation in 2019 as treasurer. He has an extensive background in treasurer experience and oversees all aspects of the foundation's finances, including the development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements. Since the 1960s, Don has been instrumental in the management of multiple organization’s assets such as Tom Thumb Employees Credit Union, Xerox Laser Printer National Users Group, Knights of Columbus, and many more!
During Don’s free time, he enjoys volunteering at the Senior Citizen Center and playing a round of golf. He enjoys spending time with his beautiful daughter, Sara, and his granddaughter, Brooklyn. And has a dog named Bart!
KELLY SHIELDS
Program Director & Secretary
Kelly has an extensive background working for mission driven companies, previously working for Teach for America and Uplift Education and is currently an Executive Assistant Business Partner to the Vice President of HR at Uber Technologies. She holds a Bachelors of Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University.
Kelly has been involved in various projects that Love, Cassidy has put on over the years. Kelly is a GCISD alumni, elementary through high school, and has recently moved back from living in California. Upon her return to DFW, she knew she wanted to get involved at a deeper level with Love, Cassidy to help serve the community in which she grew up.
During her spare time, Kelly enjoys yoga, comedy shows, trying new restaurants, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Members At Large
TINA CRAWFORD - PARADISE COVE
JENNI HUBBY - J-HUB CONSULTING
DR. KAY TROTTER - KALEIDOSCOPE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TRACY HUNEYCUTT - THL ENTERPRISES
SGT. REBECCA GRAVES - GRAPEVINE POLICE
JENNIFER SARTIN - ALCOHOL AND ADDICTION SUPPORT
PHIL VAN GUILDER - GREEN HOUSE TREATMENT