Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Sherwood, Board of Directors

BCCS wishes to express our thanks to outstanding volunteer and Board Vice President Lisa Sherwood, who is retiring from Board service after four and a half years.

Lisa joined our Board in 2006. “My interest was piqued when, driving to work in Wilmington, I kept noticing the long line of people waiting in front of the building,” she recalls. Her observation, shared by many, inspired us to write a newsletter article exploring stigma and misunderstandings about people in treatment.

“As I learned more about BCCS,” she says, “I was blown away by the lives touched by the organization. And the lives saved. I wish other people had an opportunity to see the faces of recovery... people from all walks of life, all sizes, all ethnicities.. all struggling and ultimately succeeding in their recovery. This is thanks to their own courage and the team of caring professionals at BCCS.”

Lisa became an enthusiastic and dependable Board member, who always found time for BCCS despite her demanding work schedule as Director of Provider Development for Genesis HealthCare Corporation. Before becoming Vice President in 2010, she served as Board Treasurer and chair of the fundraising committee.

She also assisted with Board recruitment. Recruiting volunteers, she believes, is one of the most challenging parts of BCCS’ work. “From volunteering to be an active Board member, to volunteering to paint a mural to brighten a dreary treatment room, to running a job interview skills workshop, volunteers greatly enhance the BCCS programs. And we can never have too many!”

“Lisa’s faithful service to BCCS is without question, greatly appreciated,” said Board President Rev. Karla Fleshman. “Her tenure spanned a time of great transition in the organization; and no doubt her faithfulness to healthy communication; and her dependable commitment to the organization is coming to an end at a time when she is confident of those who remain on the Board of Directors. Her consistent presence and insightful guidance helped direct this fine organization to new leadership with an expanded mission of service. We thank you Lisa!”

Board member Lauren Pearce added, “Lisa was an incredible burst of energy who kept our Board focused and dedicated. Her enthusiasm and passion for Brandywine was demonstrated in all that she took on, including recruiting new Board members and embarking on new ideas.”

Lisa has high hopes for BCCS in the next five years. “I'd like to see BCCS in more satellite locations, growth of the needle exchange program to serve other communities in Delaware, and a second (or even third!) Lighthouse program, to serve recovering mothers and their babies. And most of all, I'd like to see BCCS triple the number of clients served. That's a tall order. But there IS a need and BCCS is positioned to rise to the occasion!”

When asked what she most enjoyed about her involvement, Lisa says, “The chance to work with some wonderfully caring and passionate people. I will miss them!”

We will miss you as well, Lisa. Thank you for your years of service, and all that you brought to the Board and the organization!

Basha Silverman Honored for HIV/AIDS Work

BCCS congratulates Basha Silverman, Prevention Program Director, on two honors for her outstanding work in HIV/AIDS prevention.

On Saturday, February 12, Basha received the Community and Support Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Fight Against HIV, at the 10th Annual Do The Right Thing 4LIFE Banquet, presented by AIDS Delaware. Do the Right Thing 4LIFE is an educational prevention program that seeks to increase the awareness about HIV/AIDS/STDs within the African American community. Its efforts have resulted in numerous educational parties in barbershops, beauty salons, and private homes in New Castle County, reaching over 500 individuals.

“I am honored and excited to be a part of this,” Basha said, “as Frank [Hawkins, event organizer] and I started working in HIV the same year and have worked side by side for about a decade. I am grateful that he thought of me.”

Also, on Friday, May 6, Basha will receive the Ally Award at the 2011 WOW Awards Celebration, hosted by the Delaware HIV Consortium. This annual awards event recognizes corporate and individual excellence for philanthropy, volunteerism, fundraising, and community leadership in the field on HIV/AIDS. Visit delawarehiv.org for more information.

Congratulations Basha on these well-deserved honors!

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.

In Memory of Gordon Pizor

With sadness, we mourn the passing of a member of our Brandywine family, psychologist Gordon Pizor, on January 10, 2011.

Gordon worked for Brandywine for more than 25 years, providing psychological evaluations and testing for clients. He worked closely with clinical and medical staff to diagnose and treat patients, assisting them to recover from addiction and mental illness. He also attended many of our P2R process improvement meetings to help us work on ways to increase patient access and decrease wait time for mental health services.

In addition to his work with Brandywine, Gordon maintained a private practice, specializing in adolescents and learning disabilities. He was also the co-founder and Head Coach of the Wilmington Youth Rowing Association, which taught the sport of rowing to at-risk and disabled youth.

Gordon had a true passion for his profession and for helping others. He was well-liked by both patients and staff, and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Gordon's life will be held on Saturday, January 22, from 11 am - 1 pm at the WYRA Boathouse, 500 E. Front Street in Wilmington. A scholarship fund has been set up in Gordon’s name, and details will be placed on the WYRA Web site shortly.

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!

News Journal: Social Workers Gather Delaware Prostitutes' Stories

BCCS' outreach work with prostitutes was highlighted in yesterday's News Journal.

Prevention program director Basha Silverman discusses what we hope to gain by collecting data:

"We need to find out how many are the victims of sexual violence, how many need drug treatment and how many rely on sex work because they can't find other employment."
...
"Are we going to eradicate prostitution 100 percent? Probably not. I don't think we are going to create a magic bullet or pill to eradicate prostitution and that's not what we're claiming to do. But I think we're going to be able to reduce the reliance on sex work."

And outreach worker Rochelle Booker talks about her late night work in dangerous neighborhoods:

"Everyone judges them. Drugs have taken over their lives and they have no hope and they have no life and any dreams or self-esteem that they have is all shot. But deep down inside, all those women are some good women. They're somebody's mother, somebody's daughter, somebody's wife. ... I'm trying to help somebody."

Read the full article here, and see a video interview with the outreach workers below.



Photo: The News Journal/WILLIAM BRETZGER