When you think back to your teenage years, do you cringe at the scary risks you took? Would you be horrified if the children in your life made some of the same choices you did?
For the Fontaines and many other families, the choices made in adolescence and early adulthood have long-lasting, potentially tragic consequences. That’s why it’s up to us—as parents, teachers, and supporters—to act early and consistently to help young people learn to make healthy choices throughout their lives.
The Fontaine family has worked tirelessly to help parents and their children identify, understand, and resist life-threatening social pressures. And through a deeply personal crisis emerged a caring, compassionate, and committed community. We look back, so we can see the way forward.
1969
Jack Fontaine begins experimenting with cigarettes and beer at 12 years old.
1978
Jack fails out of the University of Georgia due to alcohol and drug abuse at 21 years old.
1984
John Fontaine Jr. is born in Houston, Texas, to Jack and Nancy Fontaine.
1986
Harris Fontaine is born.
1987
Jack Fontaine enters treatment for alcohol addiction and gains sobriety.
1991
Elizabeth Fontaine is born.
2002
John would have graduated high school.
2006
A gift from Nancy and Jack leads to the opening of the John Fontaine Jr. Center for Alcohol Awareness and Education at the University of Georgia (UGA).
2015
The Fontaine Family establishes the John Fontaine Jr. Charity (JFJC), working closely with UGA to expand their prevention and awareness model into local Georgia high schools.
2017
The Fontaine Center hosts its first Alcohol and Other Drugs Summit for state universities.
2018
The SEC asks The Fontaine Center to advise on introducing alcohol into SEC stadiums.
2020
JFJC launches BrainAbouts in Houston-area elementary, middle, and high schools.