BABESWORLD family members and guests celebrated the annual event at our new Oakland County site – PREVENTION PLACE – August 19-25, 2018. Out-of-town family members from New Jersey and Louisiana and local family members were the first to be trained in MoM – the Magic of your Mind — training Center. Individuals were trained to become Certified BABES Presenters and also to become Certified BABES Presenters.
On Tuesday, August 21st, BABES staff hosted a Meet and Greet where our family members and friends were invited to network, tour the MoM room, meet new family members along with those who were registered for the week’s training. Thanks to the funding from Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority we were able to provide BABES training scholarships to individuals who work with children and families. These individuals were trained in Basic BABES during the conference and graduated Certified BABES Presenters. They are now able to go back to their agencies and community and teach children (grades K-3) how to live happy, healthy lives free of alcohol and other drugs.
During the training, New Jersey family member BethAnn Fitzpatrick, who has been a Certified BABES Presenter for over seventeen years, commented on the impact of the BABES program, “A new principal in the New Jersey area commented that there was something different about the students who had been trained in BABES . . . It was like a culture. Many of the children had been trained in BABES since 3rd grade and where now in middle school.” Fitzpatrick further commented that it was obvious that the children knew right from wrong and the BABES training over the years had a positive impact on their lives. Fitzpatrick and Lisa Kenny participated in the two-day Trainer of Trainers sessions and are now Certified BABES Trainers which allows them to train individuals to become Certified BABES Presenters.
Travelling all the way from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we welcomed and trained Erin Pourciau Bradford, Tanya Chapman Griffin, Chandra Delone, and Stephanie Llorens Price. After the training, Price commented, “We are ecstatic about implementing BABESWORLD in our school district. We feel that through the use of BABES, students will be empowered and inspired to learn about prevention and take effective preventative measures.” They are now Certified BABES Presenters.
We are currently making plans for our 2019 Family Reunion and Conference and look forward to reuniting with all of our family members and adding some new family members to the BABESWORLD Family Tree.
A special thanks to all the people who took time from their busy schedules to attend our Meet and Greet.
