Based on the belief that education is the foundation and channel for permanent change in attitudes and behaviors, the Katie Brown Educational Program (KBEP) promotes respectful relationships by teaching alternatives to relationship violence. KBEP educators deliver an interactive curriculum to students in classrooms in Southeastern New England. The Program held an open House on December 3, 2009, at its new headquarters at 10 Purchase Street, Fall River. Staff were on hand to show people around the new facility that provides office space as well as a resource room with program materials used to provide educational programming for children from 5th through 12th grade. For further information about the program, contact Executive Director Ruth Zakarin, LICSW at 508.678.4466.

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(Top row, left) KBEP Board member Andrea Schachne greets attendees at the front desk. (Top row, center and right) Dr. Jay Schachne, KBEP board chairman and a neighbor of the young woman for whom the program was named talks with Michaela Gagne and Executive Director Ruth Zakarin. (Middle row, left) Tom Broderick and KBEP Educator Fran Errante chat with KBEP Educator Claire Spaulding McVicker. (Middle row, right) KBEP educator Stephanie Joyal chats with Kathie Friar of the United Way of Greater Fall River. (Bottom row, left) Ruth leads leads long time KBEP supporters Malcolm and Margaret Borden on a tour of the facility. (Bottom row, right) Ruth talks with United Neighbors of Fall River executive director Wendy Garf-Lipp