BABES’Godparents are organizations that promote, monitor and nurture the BABES philosophy in a large area (a Region or State)
By: Crystal Mayo, BABES Special Projects and Media Specialist
From BABES Buddy to BABES Godparent — and just as excited about BABES as she was 27 years ago – Eizabeth McGlinn’s BABES journey started back in 1991 at the Atlantic County Council on Alcoholism in Northfield, New Jersey where she worked as a Prevention Specialist and was also a BABES Buddy.
In October, 1992 McGlinn and her (then) husband founded Positively Yours, Inc., a non-profit organization that worked extensively with the recovering community to promote spiritual and emotional growth. Months after founding Positively Yours, McGlinn arranged for a BABES training at her business. BABES Trainer Roseanne Cervelli, who McGlinn recalls being, “a master at training,” trained McGlinn to become a Certified BABES Presenter and later trained her to become a Certified BABES Trainer. McGlinn soon made the decision and commitment to become a BABES Godparent. “With the services provided by my business along with my BABES training, I was in a better position to touch the lives of more families, particularly children, within my New Jersey community while working with various businesses, organizations and individuals who also wanted to become BABES trained.” As for being a BABES Godparent, “I don’t take the responsibility lightly.”
Looking back on the past 25 years, McGlinn admits that there are (now) quite a few programs similar to BABES, but “nothing is like BABES,” she shared and, “one of the fascinating things about BABES is how the program addresses the issues of family alcoholism, and provides all children with the life skills to identify abuses and create a healthy life . . . I still see BABES as a perfect prevention component to offer to any community.”
After over a quarter of a century of training nearly 400 individuals, from over 60 Drug and Alcohol Agencies and Head Start programs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Canada, McGlinn still stands firm in her belief that there is no program like BABES. “It encompasses so many facets of learning and does it so wonderfully with the BABES puppets while providing hope and healing, and the recognition of the light within us all . . . which is the true benefit of BABES for children as well as their families,” states McGlinn. “The kids are like sponges soaking up all the information and the parents love reinforcing the information with the home activities.”
When asked who was her favorite puppet and why, she responded, “Rhonda, as she represents the wounded child in us all; and the empowered child once the BABES knowledge is obtained. There have been many times that disclosures were made after Rhonda’s story and those families and children were helped to identify and heal from the abuses . . . this and so many other stories represent true Evidence-Based statistics.”
When McGlinn was told that BABES was now certified Evidence-Based, she was elated. “I am so happy for the entire BABES family. Now this wonderful program can be promoted and offered nationwide in all the school districts, which is what my wish for BABES has always been.”
Over the years, McGlinn has also taken her love for BABES into numerous classroom settings, community centers, summer camps and to various church groups. “Wherever there are families and children, there is a place, and most likely a need, for BABES,” adds McGlinn. To date, she still provides BABES training whenever there is a request and as a New Jersey Godparent, she provides the training registrations for other training agencies in New Jersey.
Thank God for Godparents – Thank God for Godparent Elizabeth McGlinn and all of her years of commitment and service to BABES — and her HEARTfelt efforts to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
