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People On The Move - Barbara Hilliard
04/26/2010 - By Chad A. Safran
COORDINATING EFFORTS TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE
The mission of the Holmdel Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is to bring together the many facets of the community in a common effort to help students and adults make informed decisions about alcohol and chemical substances. Coordinating the effort falls to Barbara Hilliard, who helps make sure the education, workshops, lectures, and sponsorships of drug and alcohol free programs are able to reach their intended audiences.
Barbara has been involved with the Alliance since January 2004 and sees her job as a way to help the community become a better place. “It’s very heartwarming,” says the Jersey City native. “I’ve had many high school students who have actually come to me and said because of our programs or what has been said, the Alliance has kept them away from drugs or stopped them from drinking.” Barbara does more than her daily work involving planning and implementing the programs. She actually teaches the BABES (Beginning Awareness Basic Education Studies) program to second graders in the local schools, which combines puppets, stories and discussions designed to help school children develop positive living skills. And BABES is just one of over 30 social and educational programs and activities the Alliance uses to help people comprehend drug and alcohol awareness issues as well as the benefits to living a healthy lifestyle. “It’s never to early to start, which is why we start as young as first grade,” says Barbara, who also represents the Alliance by volunteering on The Underage Drinking Coalition of Monmouth County, where she is now co-chair of their steering committee. “As they get older, we can give them more information on an age appropriate level. The younger kids, of course, are always more open.”
The Alliance does not just focus on children attending public and private schools in Holmdel but also attempts to have the parents understand what could be happening in their own homes. “We try to educate the parents that, especially around Christmas time or around prom time, you can’t just host a party and look the other way. New Jersey has a host liability law and there are consequences. We try to impress on parents that you can lose everything you have. It’s all about education.”
The Alliance has been around since 1989 and was created as a result of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the Municipal Alliance Network to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Funding for the programs comes from Drug Enforcement Reduction Fines, which are collected from individuals convicted of drug offenses. However, through her grant writing skills, Barbara was able to increase the Holmdel Alliance’s grant by nearly 40%. She even received an award last year to honor her for her service and dedication to the community. “I feel like I am helping the Alliance make a difference, even if we only reach one or two people “ says the mother of four and grandmother of one who also holds her SAC certification, which enables her to work in the school districts as a substance awareness coordinator and student assistance counselor.
Life is more than just helping others for Barbara. She is an avid reader; librarians know her on a first name basis. She also enjoys traveling with her husband of 35 years, Bob, who is a retired Jersey City fireman. She doesn’t fly but has still managed to go to all of the states except Hawaii and Alaska, often seeing national parks and riding on some of the scariest roller coasters in the country. One of her favorite places to visit is Disney World, having gone there almost every year since 1988.
When she returns to the area from one of her cross country adventures, Barbara continues her commitment to making the Alliance succeed. “We truly are making a difference,” she says. “We’re not going to make a difference in everyone’s life but if you get a couple of people to make the right decision it’s worth all the hard work.”
The Alliance meets at 1:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in the Holmdel High School Library and is always looking for volunteers. To volunteer or for more information, call (732) 946-4330, ext.1214.
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Portuguese Manor, Perth Amboy
FAVORITE MUSICAL GROUP
The Eagles
FAVORITE MOVIE
It’s A Wonderful Life
PET PEEVES
People who say dumb things
THREE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI, John F. Kennedy
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