Fountain House, the world’s leading model for mental health treatment for people living with serious mental illness, celebrated its 11th Annual Associates Fall Fête on October 17, 2018 with cocktails and dinner at the Racquet and Tennis Club. The event introduces an audience of young professionals to Fountain House’s unique “working community” treatment model for mental illness and its mission to fight the stigma associated with the disease.
Event Chairs Jane and Gregory Baecher, Svetlana and Frank Beane, Angela and Michael Clofine, Byrdie Bell Fay, Jeremy L. Goldstein, Florence Peyrelongue, Lil Phillips, Katie Tozer, and Katie Zorn were joined by prominent guests, including, Suzie Aijala, Alex Berluti, Maria Boyazny, Marisol and Richard Brekka, Jennifer Cacioppo, Sophie and Josh Charles, Nicole and Keith Cunningham, Kristina and Pail Dalio, Kate and Andrew Davis, Christine Evangelista, Jim Finkel, Tracy and Jim Florack, Sarah Friend, Linda Garnett, Mark Gilbertson, Jose Luis Guerra, Shannon Henderson, Melanie and David Holland, Tracy Kearns, Alice Kim and David Cynn, Jennifer and Ted Liang, Stephanie and Jim Loeffler, Jack Lynch, Noel Momsen, Robby Mountain, Jennifer and Erik Oken, Noelle and Mark Penna, Paige Rustum, Elisabeth Saint-Amand, Greg Schmitt, Amanda and Steven Schumacher, Elizabeth Singer, Lauren and Larry Sorrel, Tara Tunney, Nicola White, Amelia and James Wilson, Christina and Ned Wood, and Franny and Richard Zorn.
The Associates presented the Fountain House Advocacy Award to Mauro Ranallo, legendary sports announcer known for calling every major combat sport on national television. Most recently, Mauro has become known as a mental health advocate by sharing his own personal experiences in his recent Showtime documentary Bipolar Rock ‘N Roller. The film is a raw, emotional, and candid look into life with bipolar disorder.
Mauro was presented the award by Frank Shamrock, former American mixed martial artist, the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired a four-time defending undefeated champion. Frank is also Mauro’s business manager, close friend and producer of Bipolar Rock ‘N Roller. Joining Frank on stage to present the award was Fountain House member Darvin, who aspires himself to be an announcer, and has experienced incredible support and inspiration from Mauro. Showtime Sports sponsored the event and sent a contingent to honor Mauro.
Tanya Rivero, news anchor and broadcast journalist for CBSN at CBS News was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Rivero has a long history interviewing leaders in the world of business, politics, and culture.
Fountain House member Ambar Paredes, whose college education at Syracuse University was temporarily interrupted because of her illness, received a Danny Zorn Scholarship Award. She completed the Fountain House College Re-Entry program, the only program of its kind to target young adults and bridge the gap between clinical mental health services and educational institutions. Ambar is currently reenrolled in John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is completing her BA in Philosophy. She is also writing her first book.
Fountain House operates the largest and most successful supported education program in the U.S. Our outcomes are extraordinary, with 77% of members completing their degrees as compared to just 30% within the general population.. To date, over $1,000,000 has been raised through Fall Fête, a portion of which goes to support the educational pursuits of Fountain House members.
Fountain House successfully addresses the devastating impact of serious mental illness. Fountain House was founded in New York City in 1948 with the belief that people living with mental illness can be active participants in their own and each other’s recovery. Each year, over 1,600 members come to Fountain House to contribute their talents, learn new skills, access opportunities and forge new friendships.
Fountain House has inspired the creation of more than 300 similar programs in 34 states and 30 countries that serve more than 100,000 people annually.
To learn more, visit www.fountainhouse.org
The 12th Annual Moving Families Forward gala took place at the JW Marriott Essex House on Monday, October 22nd in New York City. Tamsen Fadal, eleven-time Emmy award -winning PIX 11 News Anchor, returned to host the evening for the fifth consecutive year. Gisselle Acevedo, the new President & CEO of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, presided over the gala for the first time. The event benefited the vital programs and ongoing services for children and families at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.
The Ackerman Institute for the Family honored:
Cynthia McFadden, Senior legal and investigative correspondent for NBC News, with the Ackerman Family Advocate Award.
Lois Braverman, President Emeritus of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, with the Ackerman Innovative Leadership Award.
Arnold Syrop, Principal and creative director of Arnold Syrop Architects, with the Ackerman Distinguished Service Award.
2018 Moving Families Forward Gala Co-Chairs were: Leslie Roberts, and Deborah Werner. Honorary Co-Chairs were: Martha Fling, Ackerman Board Chair, and Alice K. Netter. The Gala Planning Committee was: Vicky Kahn, Gisella Lemos, Jeanette Monninger, Emilie Dubois Poteat, and Nicole Poteat.
VIPs in attendance included: Cynthia McFadden; Lois Braverman; Arnold Syrop; Gisselle Acevedo; PIX 11’s Tamsen Fadal, Kori Chambers, Scott Stanford and Mr. G. Among the VIPS, several members of the Ackerman Board of Directors that attended included: Ira Sallen; Leslie Roberts; Deborah Werner; Martha Fling; Alice K. Netter; Vicky Kahn; Gisella Lemos; Jeanette Monninger; Emilie Dubois Poteat; Nicole Poteat; Alfred Feliu; Robert Ruckh; Mary Bijur; Jeannine Ackerman Curhan; Linda Dishy; Harriet Habert; Dayan Kazi; Dorris Kempner; Arthur Maslow; Imke Oster; Daniel Rocker; Greg Rogers; Stephen Sokoloff; Nina Taselaar; and Janine Weisenbeck. Over 30 faculty members of the Ackerman Institute for the Family attended gala.
Founded in 1960, the Ackerman Institute for the Family is one of the premier institutions for family therapy and one of the best-known and most highly regarded training facilities for family therapists in the United States. The Institute serves families from all walks of life at all stages of family life.
On Saturday, October 20, 2018 more than 1,000 guests comprising kids with their families joined hospital clinicians and leadership dressed in Halloween costumes at the 29th annual Light Up A Life Halloween carnival, benefitting NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, at the Field House at Chelsea Piers. The event, sponsored exclusively by Saks Fifth Avenue, raised a record-breaking $500,000 to benefit pediatric patient care programs.
The festive atmosphere featured games and activities including soccer drills with members of the New York City Football Club, balloon art, face painting, laser tag, gymnastics, rock climbing walls, batting cages and performances by “Magic Al” Garber.
Proceeds from the event will benefit pediatric patient care programs including: Child Life Services, a program that helps alleviate children’s fears surrounding the hospital experience; the Pediatric Emergency Department, which provides emergency care to ill and injured children 24 hours a day, seven days a week; the Family Advisory Council, a group of dedicated family members of pediatric patients who are committed to working with hospital staff to provide family-centered care to all NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital patients; and Pediatric Fellowships, supporting postdoctoral training in pediatrics.
Guests in attendance included founder Kathleen Burns, event co-chairs Elizabeth Bonner, Marcy Czeizler, Cinthia Gil, Wandy Hoh, Kate Tylis, and Kim Vinnakota, Saks Fifth Avenue executives Tracy Margolies, Emily Essner and John Antonini, as well as additional guests including Erica Samuels, Amanda Waldron, Candice and Brandon Miller, Travis Acquavella, and Arielle Charnas.
Photographs by Da Ping Luo & Tricia Baron (Moving Families Forward); Kellie Walsh & Rupert Rogers / 4 Eyes Photography (Light Up A Life)
