Our History
Be a Part of the Conversation was created in the spring of 2011 in the Hatboro-Horsham School District with the support of community members and area professionals. In an effort to raise awareness about the effects of alcohol and other drug use, school and community leaders came together to form a new initiative. Families, educators, students, treatment professionals, clergy, and members of law enforcement and the business community would all have a voice, with the shared goal of raising awareness and understanding about substance use, misuse and addiction.
Recognizing the potential to expand this initiative into other communities, Hatboro-Horsham School District administrators transferred the intellectual property known as Be a Part of the Conversation to our current organization. Today, we are recognized as a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Locations
Be a Part of the Conversation programs have been presented at the following locations.
Timeline
Be a Part of the Conversation was originally a school/community initiative in Hatboro-Horsham School District. Our first event was held on May 3, 2011 at Simmons Elementary School. Community leaders were invited to learn about the goals of this new initiative and plans for engaging the community at large.
Pictured: Kim Porter and Al Hall / Michael Blanche
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Our first community event, “A Conversation About Substance Use & Consequences, with Ken Thompson, MD” was held at the Horsham Township Community Center on October 11, 2011. The recording of Dr. Thompson’s presentation can be found here.
Pictured: Community members / Guest Speaker, Ken Thompson, MD
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Be a Part of the Conversation presented its first theatrical production about substance use in the form of a high school play called Addict. The play featured 20 students acting in 10 vignettes, each featuring a character who struggled with a particular substance, such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs. A second production was presented in March of 2015.
Pictured: Scenes from the play
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June 11, 2014 – Be a Part of the Conversation was incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania.
Our Board of Directors was established and we held our first board meeting. Board members included John Mergenthaler (President), Doug Leavitt (Vice President), Nancy DeLucia (Treasurer), Dawn Tucker (Secretary), and Heather Gregan. Kim Porter (then Rubenstein) was named Executive Director.
Pictured: Doug Leavitt and Dawn Tucker
Awarded nonprofit status as a 501(c)3 corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions to Be a Part of the Conversation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. >> Click here to donate!
We honored Roland Lamb with our 2016 “Conversation Inspiration Award” and Caroline Fenkel with our “Conversation Youth Inspiration Award” at our first fundraising event. >> Click here to read about the event.
Pictured: Roland Lamb / Caroline Fenkel
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Be a Part of the Conversation moved into our first official office space at the Center for Families, 101 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355.
We honored Jamison Monroe with our 2017 “Conversation Inspiration Award” and Carl Antisell with our “Conversation Youth Inspiration Award” at our second annual fundraising event. >> Click here to read about the event.
Pictured: Father Bill Hultberg / Brunch Guests
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We honored PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro with our 2019 “Conversation Inspiration Award” and Kristen Harootunian with our “Conversation Youth Inspiration Award” at our third annual fundraising event. >> Click here to read about the event.
Pictured: Honorees and Guest Speakers
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In March of 2020, our world encountered the COVID-19 pandemic, which called for all of us to make dramatic changes.
Be a Part of the Conversation was founded on the principles of connection and community, but we were no longer able to safely meet in public spaces. Thus began a series of online programs, which utilized the Zoom webinar format. We also recorded many online programs and posted them on our YouTube page.
Also, Parent Partnership meetings joined the many parent support groups in taking those meetings online as well.
Be a Part of the Conversation moved our office to 16 E. Lancaster Avenue, Suite 101, Ardmore, PA 19003.
We’re located on the main floor of “Plaza 16,” adjacent to a large, metered parking lot.
We honored Dr. Steven Moriconi with our “Conversation Inspiration Award,” along with 20 recipients of our “Conversation Youth Inspiration Award” at our fourth annual fundraising event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was presented virtually.
Be a Part of the Conversation celebrated our 10th anniversary with a “Founder’s Celebration” at the Horsham Township Community Center. To honor the community where we began in March of 2011, we heard remarks from Hatboro-Horsham School District administrators, as well as Be a Part of the Conversation leadership.
The Family Recovery Course was launched in Chester County, thanks to funding from their Department of Drug & Alcohol Services, and developmental support from the The Sylvia W. and Randle M. Kauders Foundation.
The Family Recovery Course (FRC) is a three-part series of peer-led interactive educational trainings for parents or guardians whose child, at any stage of life, has struggled with addiction to drugs or alcohol. There is no charge to participate in the FRC.
>> Click here to learn more about the Family Recovery Course.