Be a Part of the Conversation Welcomes New Board Member

Shea Hoffmann knows what to say – and not to say – to a young person dealing with addiction.

Hoffmann, 23, who has been sober for five years, doesn’t preach. Instead, he leads by example.

“I’m having fun. I’m sober. I’m young,” said Hoffmann, who graduated in 2010 from Hatboro-Horsham High School. “There were a million people that forced me to get sober and there was nobody that was going to get me to change.”

Hoffmann had to be ready to make the change on his own. He expects the same to be true of other folks battling addiction.

He learned about Be a Part of the Conversation when it began in 2011, a year after he got sober.

“I fell in love with it immediately,” he said, adding that Executive Director Kim Rubenstein’s approach of educating and teaching through the nonprofit organization is perfect. “She’s getting people involved without forcing people to do it.”

When the organization had an opening recently for a board member, Hoffmann said he jumped at the opportunity to serve.

“I was trying to get involved as much as I could,” Hoffmann said. “It definitely helps me stay sober.”

Rubenstein said he “brings a vital and authentic voice to Be a Part of the Conversation.”

“While his journey through addiction and inspiring recovery have given him insights that align perfectly with our mission, it is Shea’s passion for helping others that makes him the perfect addition to our Board of Directors,” Rubenstein said. “We are honored and excited to have him join our ‘family.’”

Like Rubenstein, Hoffmann said he would like to see Be a Part of the Conversation expand beyond the Hatboro-Horsham community.

“I think everybody could use it,” said Hoffman, who works as the brand coordinator for the locally owned Bryn and Dane’s healthy fast food restaurants.

About Be a Part of the Conversation

Be a Part of the Conversation is a campaign that Hatboro-Horsham School District initiated on May 3, 2011. With representation from within the school district, local municipalities, the treatment community, and many other organizations, Be a Part of the Conversation is bringing awareness about drug and alcohol use, along with an opportunity to talk openly about the issues surrounding those topics. This program was put into motion at the beginning of the 2011/2012 school year with its first community event, the introduction of Parent Partnership meetings, and a student group at Hatboro-Horsham High School now known as HH Conversation. Since then, Be a Part of the Conversation has presented more than a dozen community programs, school assemblies, and a powerful play called Addict. Parent Partnership meetings are held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at 212 S. York Road in Hatboro. To learn more about Be a Part of the Conversation visit www.conversation.zone, email info@conversation.zone or call 215-416-5604.