Building Futures Together on April 5th, 2023, joined the R.I.C.H conference and presented the program with the data that has been gathered. The R.I.C.H conference brings together leaders and advocates within the prevention, treatment, and recovery harm reduction communities across the New England area. Along with these leaders, we saw healthcare providers, clinical staff, licensed professionals, mental health professionals, social services providers, educators, and many more.
During the Building Futures Together guest speaking spot, we welcomed two Cohorts, one who had finished the program and another who was finishing up Level One training based on the three classes offered. Both of these trainees offered a look at their journey through the program and shared their capstone project.
Glenn Mallon, a recovery coach from Cohort 3, was the first to talk about his lived experience and how the tools he learned during Building Futures Together not only helped him see things about his own experience but how these tools, such as the Graphic Facilitation in the form of a T-Chart and Timeline has made a positive impact with the clients he works with daily. Not only has he been able to show his clients how far they have come with the use of a timeline, but it has also allowed them to make better choices and see a lot of “what ifs.” With that knowledge, Glenn and his clients can make a game plan for a positive outcome.
Whitney Brown, CRSW from Cohort 2, also spoke during the Building Futures Together presentation. During her section of the presentation, she shared with the group a recorded session between her and a fellow trainee. This recording was Whitney’s capstone project, the guests during this presentation could see the story and how Graphic Facilitation can play out as a tool for clients to see where they were, what progress they have made, and where they hope to go in the future. By the end of the recording, we found out that the trainee being interviewed has found new strength and is looking forward to being a supportive mother, wife and aiming for career goals she never thought she could do.