May 2012 www.bcdinc.org

AKA’s Host Empowerment Panel

PG. 2

Youth Explore Justice System

PG. 3

BCD Partners With Highway Department

PG. 6PHOTO OF THE MONTHStudents at Youth Activity Center Justice Forum

Rebuilding Lives. Restoring Communities.

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AKA’s Share Pearls of Wisdom/

The Beta Pi Omega chapter of Alpha

Kappa Alpha Sorority and BCD

recently hosted “Pearls of Wisdom”, a

panel discussion focused on women’s

empowerment issues.

Panelists discussed topics ranging from self esteem and physical fitness, to finances and politics.

Chapter President Sandra Easter said the event was part of a three-year plan by the chapter to address social justice and human rights issues. Alpha Kappa Alpha plans to continue to partner with organizations like BCD which have similar programs and goals •

L to r: Sandra Brown, Vivian White, Marsha Davis, Linda Pondexter Chesterfield, Gretchen Simmons, and Sandra Easter, President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority of the Beta Pi Omega Chapter

These were the questions tackled at two recent youth forums hosted by BCD’s Youth Activity Center, and facilitated by Brennan Boose of the Break Free Youth Zone.

Forum participants discussed current events such as the Trayvon Martin case. Martin was the unarmed Florida teen who was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer earlier this year. Forum organizers emphasized to teens the importance of knowing and exercising their legal rights as U.S. citizens.

The Break Free Youth Zone is a center for children and teens 6th grade through 8th grade located in Hamburg, Arkansas •

For more information about BCD’s Youth Program contact:

LaPria Hart at 501.297.2332 or lhart@bcdinc.org

Charlie Bruce at 501.661.9464 or cbruce@bcdinc.org

What is injustice? How does one recognize and take a

stand against it?

Justice System/Youth Explore

Rebuilding Lives. Restoring Communities.May 2012

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Youth participating in justice forums

New Accreditation/BCD’s Hoover Treatment

Center is proving its committment to

offering the highest quality programs and

services with a new, nationally-recognized

accreditation.

The center’s outpatient treatment, residential treatment, community housing, and supported living programs all received a three-year accreditation from CARF International. Representa-tives of CARF visited Hoover Treatment Center and conducted a detailed review of the facility and programs •i

Accreditation certificate from CARF International

EmPowerment Center

Next January, Better Community Develop-ment, Inc. will cut the ribbon on the brand new EmPowerment Center. Construction has already begun on the state-of-the-art, LEED-certified facility, which will provide cutting edge addiction treatment and prevention services.

EmPowerment Center programs will focus on holistic and comprehensive life skills training that will empower individuals to be successful in all aspects of their lives •

Donate now to the EmPowerment Center

For more information about Hoover Treatment Center contact:

Richard Richardson at 501.663.4774 or rrichardson@bcdinc.org

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Attendees, including local business owners and politicians, mingled and learned more about BCD and its programs. The event was held in the atrium of the Bank of the Ozarks, with refreshments provided by Little Rock event planning company, Catering Inspirations.

Check our website soon for details about upcoming Link to EmPowerment events •

In March, BCD hosted its quarterly network gathering, Link to

EmPowerment.

EmPowerment/Link to

Rebuilding Lives. Restoring Communities.May 2012

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 9th Sat., June 16th - Fri., August 3rd The Homebuyer Education Class, is held on the first Saturday YIP Summer Program begins LEARN MOREof each month at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center LEARN MORE

Charmaine Patton, BCD Board Member, and Daniel Beck, Attorney of William & Anderson, PLC

6 Top l to r: Sandra Mitchell, BCD Dir. of Supportive Housing, Regina Durham, AR Highway & Transportation, Charles Brewer, Arkansas State Highway & Transportation Dept. Program Manager, and Deborah Bell, BCD Dir. of Programs

Bottom: Van received by Better Community Development, Inc.

BCD Partners With Highway Department/

AHTD’s Job Access Reverse Commute program has provided BCD with a van which can be used for job-related purposes. The program provides planning, operating, and capital assistance to projects that access employment opportunities for low-income individuals.

Clients of BCD’s Hoover Treatment Center use the van to search for jobs, for medical visits and any other activity related to education or accessing mainstream services. Most recently, treatment center clients used the van to attend a job fair.

AHTD’s mission is to provide safe, efficient, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound intermodal transportation for the user •

BCD has formed a new partnership with the Arkansas State Highway and

Transportation department.