RCADD Hosts Third Annual Mother-Daughter Conference

Moms and daughters got a special treat Saturday. The Rockland Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependence Inc. sponsored the Third Annual Mother-Daughter Conference in the student union building of Rockland Community College, offering mother-daughter workshops on communication, drugs, alcohol and other topics that influence young girls.

“Today was so inspiring, I want to come back every year,” said Sophia Colon of Congers, who attended Saturday’s conference with her Mom Heather Koenig.

“It is a fabulous experience to share with my daughter,” said Koenig.

The Conference

The Conference, which was free to all its participants, began with breakfast and a welcome from Dornzella Milligan, Prevention Program Coordinator and Conference Coordinator. Following were many workshops, lunch and a chance to take a zumba  class. Some of the workshops included:

• Perception: Your Unique Self by Debra DeFour-Pierce. DeFour-Pierce is employed by the East Ramapo Central School District as a school Psychologist.
• Communication The Anti-Drug by Jeanne Andrews & Moira Elders, both members of CANDLE.
• Throughout the day there were also Parent specific workshops including Power to Learn by Dianne Takeuchi. Takeuchi is the founder of “Knowledge for College”, an organization dedicated to promoting self worth.

“In the past three years, the Mother-Daughter Conference has grown considerably," said Ruth Bowles, Executive Director of RCADD. "The goal of the conference is to set aside a day to celebrate with each other as women and to explore the issues which are exclusive to moms, caregivers and daughters. As the Executive Director, I am proud and so appreciative for the commitment and hard work that Dornzella Milligan put into making this day so special. I always leave the conference with a deep well being and joy for being both a woman and a mom!”

“It was so much fun to be alone with our Moms with no siblings around," said Bianca Morris. "I am the youngest and I don’t get too much with just my Mom alone.”

Zumba

This was the first year that Zumba was added to the program and judged by the smiles and participation of the group, Ileane Irizarry, the Zumba instructor, thought it was certainly a hit.

“I want to encourage, especially young people, to stay fit. If they feel good they will love themselves. Zumba is for everyone, young and old.” Irizarry teaches at various locations including the Evolution Taekwondo Academy in Nanuet.

The RCADD also thanked those that made the Mother-Daughter day possible: SUNY Rockland Community Collge, all the presenters, volunteers and the RCADD staff, Keisha Harris-BJ’s Wholesale, Cheryl Anne –Lazur La Vie, Cablevision, Bernard Charles, Connie Kearney-Connie’s Serenity Caterers, Fran Reinstein – KeyBank, Jim Russo-Rockland Parent, Dianne Takeuchi-Knowledge for College, Shonia Zollicoffer-Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Pedro Starks, RCADD’s Office Manager, who was the only man at the event. His smile never faded.

About RCADD

In 1972, a group of dedicated and spirited citizens living in New City, Haverstraw and Pearl River seized upon the opportunities presented with the passing of the Comprehensive Alcoholism and Prevention and Treatment Act. This legislation, written by Senator Harold Hughes, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Nixon in 1972. This law freed up federal funding and provided monies that gave states the ability to develop alcohol educational and treatment programs of various kinds. Through the work and commitment of this Rockland grassroots group, the Rockland Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependence (RCADD) became a functional service provider in the mid-1980. In 1985 a grant was received giving the council 100 percent funding for the next three years. Once the council’s funding, charter and incorporation were in place, three staff members were hired.

In 1992, RCADD moved to St. Paul’s church and hired a new director. Soon the Council achieved the reputation as being a safe, caring health agency where alcoholics and their families could receive free confidential help and information. The Rockland Chemical Dependency Studies Institute was incorporated in April, 1994. The Studies Institute has provided professional training for those seeking to become Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC). RCADD now resides on Smith Street in Nanuet.

Rockland Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependence, Inc.
25 Smith Street, Suite 101
Nanuet, New York l0954
845-215-9788
845-215-9793 (FAX)
help@rcadd.org

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