Be a Part of the Conversation was born out of Kim Porter’s own journey as a parent. When her son entered recovery 15 years ago, Porter felt lost and afraid. She co-founded the Ardmore–based nonprofit so no family would have to navigate addiction alone.

For parents, guardians, and siblings, the struggle is often invisible. They carry the weight of fear, shame, and exhaustion as they watch a loved one spiral. Porter says many parents believe it’s their job to “fix” the problem. But she reminds parents to take care of themselves as well.

“You put the oxygen mask on yourself before your child,” she told American Community Journals. “The same goes for us. If we’re in panic mode, we can’t truly be there to support them.”

That philosophy is at the core of the group’s Family Recovery Course, a free, three-part series beginning October 11. Each session is designed to help families better understand the disease of addiction and their own role in recovery.

• Part One: Addiction 101 gives parents insight into what’s happening in their child’s brain, why behaviors change, and how substance use disorder takes hold.
  
• Part Two: Family Foundations addresses the ripple effects at home — fractured relationships, sibling tensions, marital strain, and the trauma parents often experience when trying to keep a child safe.
  
• Part Three: Family Recovery focuses on moving forward. Parents learn how to set healthier boundaries, maintain relationships in new ways, and take care of themselves so they can better support their loved ones.

The impact of the program is often profound. Porter remembers one father who, during the course, connected his anger toward his daughter’s drinking to unresolved trauma from growing up with an alcoholic brother. That realization helped him begin his own healing, leading him to therapy and ongoing peer support. 

“Once we get our feet under us as parents, we can be a better support to our child,” Porter said.

Beyond the course, Be a Part of the Conversation offers 50 public programs each year, 19 weekly Parent Partnership meetings, and sibling support groups — all free of charge.

For anyone seeking understanding and connection, or to sign up for the Family Recovery Course, visit Be a Part of the Conversation.