Alliance Alert (September 16, 2024): The Board of Director of the Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly NYAPRS) is very pleased and proud to recognize the groundbreaking contributions of an extraordinary group of heroes for their promotion of hope and dignity, wellness and recovery, human rights and social justice, peer support, community immersion and racial equity impacting the lives of members of our state and national communities. In doing so, their pioneering efforts have had an historic impact on the development of pivotal public policy and program advances that will forever shape our work and our world.
Our awardees will be recognized at one of two separate events, at
- our upcoming Annual Conference at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon, NY at 2:30 pm next Thursday September 26, 2024. You can register for the Conference HERE and separately for the cost of lodging, meals and special programs with the Villa Roma HERE; you can also call the Hotel at 1-800-533-6767 if needed.
- Annual Albany Legislative Day on March 4, 2025 at the Hart Theater, the Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany New York.
See below for details.
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SALLY ZINMAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has a long record of exemplary contributions to the recovery, rehabilitation and rights of people with psychiatric disabilities.
- Shery Mead, MSW, founder and co-director, Intentional Peer Support
- Peggy Swarbrick Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA, Associate Director, Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University; creator of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness and Peer Wellness Coaching
- Mary Ellen Copeland Ph.D., Author, Wellness Recovery Action Plans, Educator, Advocate
- Lenora Reid-Rose MBA, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, and Community Connectedness, Coordinated Care Services
- Aileen Gunther RN, NYS Assembly Mental Health Committee Chair
- Geoff Lieberman, retired Executive Director, Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled
CELIA BROWN JUSTICE FOR ALL CHAMPION AWARD
The Celia Brown Justice For All Champion Award is presented in heartfelt recognition of an individual’s inspiring contributions to advancing social justice for the full diversity of people with mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges.
- Keris Jän Myrick MS, MBA is the Vice President of Partnerships and Innovation at Inseparable, the podcast host for Unaplogetically Black Unicorns, on the Boards of the Center for Health Care Strategies, Mental Health America and Vice President of the board of Disability Rights California
PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARD
The Public Education Award is presented to an individual whose reporting has informed policy makers and the public about the policy priorities and accomplishments of New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities.
- Caroline Lewis MA, healthcare journalist, WNYC and the Gothamist
KIRSTIN VINCENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Kristin Vincent Leadership Award is presented to a Board member who has a long record of devotion and exemplary contributions to advancing the recovery, rights, and dignity of New Yorkers with mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges.
- Alison Carroll LCSW-R, former co-President, Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, NYAPRS); Interim Director, Dutchess Crisis Stabilization; former Associate Executive Director, Putnam Family and Community Services, Carmel, NY
JASON BRODY FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP AWARD
The Jason Brody Faith & Fellowship Award is presented to an individual who has been an extraordinary source of kindness, caring and devotion to people within their local mental health community.
- Kimrita Hill, Certified Peer Specialist /Supervisor, C.H.O.I.C.E, New Rochelle, NY
MOE ARMSTRONG VETERANS LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Moe Armstrong Veterans Leadership Awards is presented to a recovering veteran who has helped to organize and empower their peers to further their recoveries and impact on public policy in New York and the nation
- James ‘Moe’ Armstrong, MBA, BA, developer, Veteran Peer Support; former Director of Recovery, Vinfen, Inc, Boston, Massachusetts
FRANCES Olivero ADVOCACY AWARD
The Frances Olivero Advocacy Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated inspiring community leadership and advocacy on behalf of New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities.
- Fred Levine, Mental Health Policy Consultant