2013 Be the Change Award Winner: Judy Giovangelo

The Be The Change Award, created in conjunction with our generous award sponsor Canyon Ranch, recognizes a Massachusetts woman who personifies compassion for her community and commitment to improving the everyday lives of those around her.

This year’s Be The Change Award recipient rises above and beyond in the realm of community service through her commitment to raise awareness about the impacts of bullying. The Massachusetts Conference for Women is pleased to present the 2013 Be the Change Award to:

JUDY GIOVANGELO:  Executive Director, Ben Speaks Louder Than Words

Judy has been working with at-risk youth for two decades through her work as an experienced yoga teacher, certified hypnotherapist, Reiki master and intuitive healer. In her search for tools to support her middle child Ben to cope with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Obsessive Defiance Disorder and anxiety, along with a multitude of learning challenges that affected the lives of her entire family, she turned to the healing and expressive arts and developed a powerful toolbox for change.

Ben and her family made great strides. Unfortunately, it was not enough. Benjamin ended his life on April 16, 2009, in a fleeting moment of despair after dealing with years of social exclusion and bullying.

He was eighteen years old.

Judy knew she had two choices. To go into a downward spiral of self-destructive behavior, or to take all she learned over the years of raising her son and use it to help other families and become a voice and a stand for change.

Ben Speaks Louder Than Words became a 501(c)3 public charity within six months of her son’s passing and she has brought her message of hope and inspiration to over 70 schools and communities since. Her organization has started a movement called Bigger Than Bullying™ and is enrolling schools to take the Bigger Than Bullying ™ Pledge© (download it here).

Through her presentations, Judy teaches audiences about the energy of our collective mindset. She engages youth through powerful metaphors to shift their culture from competition to collaboration and contribution. She also provides her audiences with a profound skillset to address the inner bully and cultivate a loving heart.

Take the Bigger Bullying Pledge© today and BE THE CHANGE we all want to see…together we can create a world where we all get to SHINE! This is the heart of Ben Speaks message!!

Click here to learn more or donate to Ben Speaks Louder Than Words

Thank you, Judy, for your dedication to youth and families, and for giving them the opportunity to “Be The Change” in their own lives, schools and communities!

For more information, please contact Judy Giovangelo at [email protected] or 617-592-6715, and visit the website at BenSpeaks.org.