Living Out Loud 2: Rick Van Story Center Consumer Conference

Our friends at the Rick Van Story Center are hosting a Consumer Conference, "Living Out Loud 2: The Magic of Transformation" Friday, September 9. Tickets are only $2.00. The keynote speaker is Antonio Lambert. Buses are provided in Southern Delaware, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Register or get more information here.

The mission of the Rick VanStory Resource Center (RVRC) is to be the premier peer support center promoting recovery, quality of life, advocacy, education, mutual support, peer directed services, and participation in mental health policy design for individuals throughout the state of Delaware (RVRC) also proudly accepts donations of all kinds. Please call (302) 691-7950 to support their cause.

Consumer Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who took last month's satisfaction survey. Your feedback helps us improve our services to you.

313 people took the survey. Here are some results:

• 96% of you were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the help you received that day.
• 87% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the time you had to wait.
• 96% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the knowledge of the staff who assisted you.
• 97% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" that you were treated with dignity and respect.
• 97% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" that you were treated with confidentiality and privacy.

We asked which online tools you use, such as email or Facebook, to learn the best ways to get information to you. We've read all your comments as well, and the management team is taking steps to address them.

The next survey will be in June. Thanks again for your feedback. We hope this gives you a voice about issues that matter to you.

"Dangers of Smoking" Dinner Presentation

Our friends at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center will be hosting a seminar on the “Dangers of Smoking” for adult smokers who want to quit and healthcare workers.

The Dangers of Smoking/Tobacco

Thursday April 28, 2011

Registration at 5:45PM – Program begins at 6PM

Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (GYM)

601 New Castle Avenue

Wilmington, DE 19801

LEARN tips on how to SAY NO and mean it!!

Did you know there are over 600 additives found in cigarette smoke?

Of the 600 additives, 69 are linked to cancer!!

FREE DINNER PROVIDED

Facilitated by: Frank Hawkins

Adults ages 18 and older PLEASE

Prizes, Raffles & Giveaways

Please Register to Ashia Cale (302) 655-6187 and leave your name, telephone # and which session you plan to attend.

BCCS Will Be Closed Good Friday

BCCS will be closed Friday, April 22, 2011 for the Good Friday holiday. We will reopen Monday April 25.

Have a great holiday!

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month at BCCS. BCCS Lancaster will be hosting several events in an effort to raise awareness about child abuse and child abuse resources in Delaware.

April 5th – Child Abuse Awareness Kickoff!
BCCS Counselors will be in the lobby and dispensing areas, handing out resources for parents and kids, such as bookmarks, ribbons, and tattoos. Counselors will also provide clients with a schedule outlining the different activities that will take place throughout the month.

April 12th, 9 AM to Noon - Release for Recovery
BCCS Outreach Department will be hosting a "Release for Recovery" Day. Come in and pamper yourself. Paint your nails, give yourself a facial. Bring the kids and pamper them as well. All items will be provided by BCCS.

April 19th, 9 AM to 1 PM - Get Informed!
We will have educators from different agencies in Delaware come and present information on child abuse and how kids are affected. Please see a schedule.

April 26th, 10 AM to 1 PM - Children's Celebration: A blue ribbon day for kids
Luncheon sponsored by BCCS along with arts and crafts activities for clients and their children. We will have volunteers from various local agencies to assist.

BCCS Will Be Closed Friday, March 11

BCCS will be closed Friday March 11, 2011 for staff training. We will reopen Monday, March 14.

Thank you,
BCCS Staff

Learn Job Skills with Our Career Curriculum Series

BCCS is offering a Career Curriculum Series for our clients, sponsored by Elwyn. Learn valuable skills to help you gain employment.

All classes begin promptly at 9:00 AM at the Lancaster Center in the IOP room.

Job Search Skills    Friday, February 25

Interviewing Skills    Friday, March 11

Social Skills    Friday, March 25

I Want a Career    Friday, April 8

Transportation    Friday, April 22

For more information, please contact Christine Czajkowski at 656-2348, extension 145.

Delayed Opening Wednesday 2/2

BCCS will have a delayed opening in New Castle County on Wednesday February 2 due to the weather. Dispensing will open at 7 AM; all other programs at 9 AM.

Sussex County programs will operate on a normal schedule.

BCCS Is Closed in New Castle County Thursday 1/27

BCCS programs in New Castle County will be CLOSED today 1/27 due to the weather. Dispensing is open. All other programs in New Castle County are closed.

All Sussex County programs will be open on time.

BCCS Will Close at 12:30 Wednesday Jan. 26

BCCS will close at 12:30 today, 1/26, due to the weather. There will be no evening hours, with the exception of the Newark evening program which will be open as usual.

Delayed Opening Tuesday 1/18

BCCS will have a delayed opening Tuesday 1/18 due to the weather. Dispensing will open at 6 AM. All other programs will open at 9 AM.

BCCS Is Open With 1 Hour Delay Wednesday Jan. 12

BCCS will have a 1-hour delayed opening Wednesday 1/12 due to the snow storm. We will open at 6 AM for dispensing, and 7 AM for all other programs.

Clients Honor Their Peers in Ribbon and Recovery Award Ceremony

Clients at the BCCS Lancaster Center gathered at the Grand Opera House December 10, 2010 to honor their peers for success in treatment. The event was called the Ribbon and Recovery Award Ceremony. Staff selected the honorees, and clients also voted in two categories during the previous month. The honorees were:

1) Most Improved: Betsy Hernandez. For showing growth or gross improvement in treatment for six months to a year, at counselor’s discretion.

2) Continued Maintained Abstinence: Kristin Boulden. For entering the Late Recovery phase of treatment with no history of relapse for the past 6 months to a year.

3) Most Gained from Treatment/Therapeutic Services: Pedro Rivera. For active engagement during session and applying the techniques and strategies discussed to daily endeavors.

4) Most active in recovery, outstanding sober support: Joseph Gardner and Kathleen Joyce. For actively attending recovery based meetings such as NA, AA, or Alanon.

5) Most likely to succeed in treatment: April Zeller and Laverne Crawford. For entering the Orientation and/or Stabilization phase of treatment and putting processes and changes in place for a successful sober lifestyle.

6) Most engaged in group: Kathleen Piunti. For active involvement and participation during group therapy, and actively attending group sessions.

Honoree Kathleen Joyce had this to say about her award:

“It's a fantastic feeling to be going on the right road. I have found my way back with the help of BCCS and many others who have put their hands out to lift me up and to show me the way to freedom. How wonderful at my age to learn something new everyday, and to be able to go forward as a new and productive citizen.

“I like the person who I am now, and look forward to every day with a renewed spirit, knowing that by the grace of God and my own strength and knowledge, I am going to be a positive force to be reckoned with.”

Also honored at the ceremony were the clients’ choice for Favorite Nurse, Sharon Kozlowski; Favorite Counselor, Silver Debrick; Favorite Lancaster Program, Women In Transition; and Honorable Mention, Joyce Lewis and Brenda Harris.

BCCS hopes to continue the Ribbon and Recovery Awards as an annual celebration. Congratulations to all the honorees on this well-deserved recognition!

BCCS Is Closed for the New Year's Holiday

BCCS will close at 12:00 PM today, December 30, 2010, and we will be closed tomorrow, December 31, 2010, in celebration of the New Year's holiday.

We will reopen Monday, January 3.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday!

BCCS Is Closed Monday Dec. 27

BCCS will be closed Monday, December 27, except for dispensing, due to the snow storm.

We will be open for dispensing only from 7 AM to 12 Noon. All other programs are closed.

All evening dispensing consumers should report between 7 AM and 12 Noon. There will be no evening hours.

BCCS Is Closed for the Christmas Holiday

BCCS will close at 12:00 PM today, December 23, 2010, and we will be closed tomorrow, December 24, 2010, in celebration of the Christmas holiday.

We will reopen Monday, December 27.

We wish you a wonderful and safe holiday!

The BCCS Holiday Survival Kit

This week, BCCS consumers received a special gift, "Holiday Survival Kits." The idea for the kits came from other clients in the Lancaster Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and their counselor Mark Murdock. The group created the kits and distributed them during this holiday week.

The "Survival Kits" included the following :

Toothpick - To pick out the good qualities.

Rubber Band - To remember to be flexible.

Band Aid - To heal hurt feelings.

Pencil and Eraser - To list blessings and erase mistakes.

Gum - Stick with your recovery.

Mint - To remind you that you are worth a mint.

Candy Hugs - Everyone needs a hug sometimes.

Tea Bag - To remind you to relax daily.

What a creative idea! You are never far from little reminders that will keep you focused on your recovery, and allow you to not only survive, but enjoy this holiday season. If you have a friend or loved one in recovery, why not show them you care with the thoughtful gift of a Holiday Survival Kit?

BCCS is Closed November 25 and 26

BCCS will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday November 25, and Friday November 26. We wish you a wonderful holiday!

Turkey Giveaway Monday November 22

Brandywine's annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway will take place Monday, November 22!

Every year, families in need have the opportunity to sign up to receive a basket from the Basket Brigade of Delaware, filled with turkey, stuffing, and other holiday staples. Brandywine hands out baskets to around 150 of our clients each year. We are truly thankful to be able to help those who could not otherwise host Thanksgiving for their family.

This year, we're also thankful to have the support of Widener Law students, who are raising funds and volunteering to benefit BCCS. Already, students have raised over $500 through a raffle! Many will join us to help out at the turkey giveaway. And, Widener students are also partnering with us on our holiday toy drive and Giving Tree. Thank you, Widener!

If your business or school would like to help out BCCS this holiday season, please send us an email. We would love to have your support for the toy drive. Together, we can make the holidays joyful for those who most need it.

Spirituality Group Now Offered in Newark and Wilmington

BCCS now offers a weekly Spirituality Group at two of our locations: Fridays 11:30-12:45 at the Alpha Center, and Tuesdays 6-7 PM at the Newark Center. The groups are open to any Brandywine client.

Our focus is on spiritual principles that bring healing when applied. We keep recovery on track through daily time with God in prayer, reading, and meditating on the word and in fellowship.

Topics we explore include: Forgiveness, Life Is A Short Assignment, Healing Choices, Honor Your Parents, Getting Help, Letting Go, House Cleaning, Renewing of the Mind, Relationship Choice, and Identity.

Disclaimer: The group is voluntary and the Life Recovery Bible is our main text. Welcome.

At the end of each session, participants are given three assignments: To pray about everything they've heard; to write down how they connected with the topic; and to share it with somebody.

This group has proven very popular at the Alpha Center since it began earlier this year. We are now adding a second group at Newark to meet the demand.

For more information, please call Kefa Obara or Tanyel Johnson at (302) 472-0381.