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Photo Gallery
Old Skool Outreach
The BCI outreach
team joined with volunteers and other staff for our 2nd annual Old Skool
Outreach Blitz to promote the needle exchange program. In the "old skool"
spirit, BCI's first outreach worker, James Harrison (center left), was
on hand along with many first-timers. At right, Intervention Specialist
Brandy Rodgers is talkin' the talk and walkin' the walk while passing
out safe sex kits.
Outreach Worker
Jay Wright, left, is keepin' it real and keeping the neighborhood safe.
At right, Outreach Worker Claudette Bell flashes the Brandywine smile.
Many of our
staff brought along family members to pitch in, including Outreach
Worker Sharon Brown. At right, Demitrius Bullock, Claudette Bell, and
Chris Zebley take a moment to cool off in the shade.
Intervention
Specialist Demitrius Bullock shows the neighborhood how barbeque is
done. The outreach team is proud to be alive and grateful to give back!
The
Lighthouse Program Opens
After months of
preparation and extensive renovations to a former shelter facility,
Delaware's first residential treatment program for women and children is
open for service.
Six women have
moved into the facility,
with a
total of 7 children (4 infants, a 3 year old boy, 4 year old boy, and 5
year old girl). Our capacity is 10 women.
The facility
offers residents all the comforts of home.
Kids will have
plenty to keep them busy with lots of toys, books, videos, puzzles, and
art supplies. And they can measure how tall they are with our lighthouse
growth chart.
Across the
street at DCUSA facilities are a computer lab and classrooms residents
will be using.
150 people
joined us in the DCUSA dining hall for an Open House celebration.
Our guests
included staff from BCI, the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental
Health (DSAMH), and other service providers, and family and friends of
the residents.
The Praise Team
from the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church opened the ceremony with a
song. Opening remarks were made by BCI Executive Director Sally
Allshouse and DSAMH Director Renata Henry. The dedication was then made
by Governor Ruth Ann Minner.
Awards were
presented to several individuals who helped make the program a reality,
including Governor Minner and Renata Henry.
Bishop Major
Foster of DCUSA, BCI Director of Sussex Service Shay Lipshitz, and
Director of Substance Abuse Services Jack Kemp were recognized for their
roles.
Lighthouse Program Director Denise Kitson
moved downstate from Wilmington to lead the new program. Following the
awards, three of the women gave moving testimonials about how much this
program means to them. Shay and the Bishop called today "a wonderful
day"... "words can't express how we feel."
Needle Exchange Van Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony
Senator Margaret
Rose Henry cuts the ribbon on the new van as Peter Houle, Dr. Jaime
Rivera, Basha Closic, and Rochelle Booker look on. The van is a 2007
Ford E450.
A client who
wants to exchange needles will come to the door of the van. Rochelle
Booker shows where they can drop their used needles into a container
right inside.
At left, the
view toward the back of the van. Staff will sit inside the door to
dispense syringes and first aid kits. At right, supply cabinets for all
the necessary materials, such as bleach kits, safe sex kits, and HIV
testing supplies.
At left, the
table and chair in the back of the van that will be used for individual
counseling and testing. At right, the view toward the front of the van.
The door leads to a restroom. A plaque honors Dr. Robert Jackson of the
Division of Public Health.
Dr. Jaime Rivera
called the program "incredibly successful." Senator Margaret Rose Henry
said, "Our goal is to have the best five years ever so that we can show
the rest of the state this is a good thing, we need to do it statewide."
Basha Closic recognized the BCI needle
exchange team for their "really, really amazing personalities and
spirits." At right, Rochelle Booker, Sharon Brown, and Dianna Dorsey.
Not pictured: Claudette Bell, Morris Gardner, and Lolisa Gibson.
BCI Board
President David Oppold, BCI Lancaster Site Director James Harrison,
Senator Henry, BCI Executive Director Sally Allshouse, and Basha Closic.
Sober Softball Tournament
About 75 people
from BCI and other community organizations attended our second annual
tournament at Sports At the Beach in Georgetown.
BCI defeated
Fellowship Health 9-7 in the finals to bring home the trophy!
Recovery
Month Picnic
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September 19, 2007
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An estimated 75 clients, staff, and family members came
out to the Mack Park in Wilmington to celebrate recovery. At right,
Joyce Lewis, Basha Closic, and Claudette Bell show off their T-shirts.
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Clients
and staff put a lot of work into this event getting donations of food
and raffle prizes.
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After the meal everyone stayed around for the raffle
drawing. At left, Earl Carter and Monalee West draw tickets despite
some friendly heckling from Wanda Furrowh.
Brandywine Counseling Celebrates
 2007 -
About 75 people attended the celebration and
enjoyed refreshments before the program began.
The outreach team greeted each guest as they
arrived, while inside, a slide show depicted the work they do.
Everyone was invited to take their seat.
Opening remarks were made by David Isaac and James Harrison.
This was followed by two powerful testimonials
from individuals whose lives were saved by addiction treatment.
Senator Margaret Rose Henry was among the
night's honorees. HIV Prevention Director Basha Closic gave an update on
the progress of the NEP program.
Our guests of honor were recognized for their
role in making the program a reality. Executive Director Sally Allshouse
announced that a donation had been made in their honor to the Campaign to
End AIDS.
Our honorees received a standing ovation for
their work: Senator Margaret Rose Henry, Senator Helene Keeley, Senator
Nancy Cook, Representative Pamela Maier, Delaware Health and Social
Services Secretary Vince Meconi, Director of Public Health Dr. Jaime
Rivera, Mayor James Baker, John Baker of AIDS Delaware, Renee Beaman of
Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, Lamont Coger of Baltimore City Needle
Exchange, the Delaware League of Women Voters, lobbyist Debbie Hamilton,
Peter Houle of the Delaware HIV Consortium, Nicole Leighton of Prevention
Point Philadelphia, and the Red Ribbon Advocates.
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