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.
Timeline
Be a Part of the Conversation was originally a school/community initiative in Hatboro-Horsham School District. Our first event was by invitation, and welcomed community leaders as we introduced our vision: “The more aware we all become, the more power we have to stop substance abuse before it starts.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Judy Hirsh, CFRS was hired as our Program Coordinator.
The mother of a son in recovery, Judy brings a diverse background to BPOC.
Professionally, she practiced law for four years, has practiced real estate valuation and managed a family business for 24 years and served as a budget analyst for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She has worked as a Neighborhood Mediator with the Good Shepherd Mediation Program in Philadelphia, PA. Judy is a Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS), which is someone who assists families impacted by a loved one’s substance use disorder. >> Click here to meet our entire team.
Browse Through Our Past Programs
Browse through a list of our past programs, some of which include follow-up information related to specific topics.
Locations
Be a Part of the Conversation programs have been presented at the following locations.
Hatboro-Horsham School District
Phoenixville School District
Methacton School District
Masterman School – Philadelphia School District
Palisades School District
Penn Charter School – Philadelphia
Tredyffrin-Easttown School District
North Penn School District
Great Valley School District
Perkiomen Valley School District
Pottsgrove School District
Souderton Area School District
Upper Perkiomen School District
Norristown Area School District
Upper Moreland School District
Spring-Ford School District
Upper Dublin School District
Upper Merion Area School District
Abington School District
Colonial School District
Lower Moreland Township School District
Centennial School District
Bishop McDevitt High School
The School District of Springfield Township (Montgomery County)
St. Hilary of Poitiers School
Lower Merion School District
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School
Penn Delco School District
Radnor School District
Abington Hospital
Jefferson University
Montgomery County Community College
Drexel University
Immaculata University
Penn State – Abington Campus
Temple University
Neumann University
Ursinus College
Horsham Township Library
Horsham Township Community Center
The New Leaf Club – Bryn Mawr
Desmond Hotel – Malvern
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
Old York Road Country Club
Springfield Township Municipal Building – Delaware County
Upper Perkiomen Senior Center
Norristown Public Library
Montgomery Township Community Center
Montgomery County Human Services Center
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS)
Trinity Lutheran – Lansdale
Trinity Episcopal Solebury – New Hope
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Doylestown
Doylestown United Methodist Church
Re:Vivals Outreach Center – Perkasie
St. Catherine of Siena – Horsham
Main Line Unitarian Church – Devon
Caron Treatment Center
Rotary Club of Horsham
Rotary Club of Willow Grove
Rotary Club of Hatboro
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
Old York Road Country Club
Center for Families – Malvern
Lincoln Investment
Center for Families – Bryn Mawr
Springfield Rotary Club – Montgomery County
Delaware River Port Authority / PATCO
Montgomery County Fire Academy
Rotary Club of Devon
Ethos Treatment, LLC