The Alliance for Rights and Recovery

Formerly NYAPRS

Shop E-News Donate

Coe: A Call for Justice and Dignity; Dignity Day Update

by Chris Liu-Beers

NYAPRS Note: Following is an inspiring message from Community Access’ Steve Coe. Community Access is an essential supporter of next Monday’s Destination Dignity March in Washington, D.C. (http://www.destinationdignity.org/). It has funded one of the 2 buses that are bringing NYC based advocates down that day and CA community organizer and NYAPRS Co-President Carla Rabinowitz (crabinowitz@communityaccess.org) is doing her typically extraordinary job enlisting and supporter City based advocates to join us. Great thanks are due also to David Woodlock and Institute for Community Living and Phil Saperia of the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies for their generous support.

Long Island leaders are also organizing a bus from the Island thanks to the support of Mike Stoltz and the Association for Mental Health and Wellness. For more information contact Regional Caucus Coordinator Julie Erdman at jberdman1214@gmail.com.

View this email in your browser

 

Dear Friend,

“The Violent Mentally Ill.”

 

This phrase startled me last week. Even more so because of where it was used: not in a tabloid headline, but in an official city press release announcing the expansion of services for people in the shelter system. And then again when it was repeated on public radio (WNYC) – one caller, identifying himself as a psychologist, advocated for reopening psychiatric facilities to address the needs of homeless people with mental illness.

 

“The violent mentally ill” is a phrase that both maligns a broad segment of our citizens and prevents rational discussion. It has no place in today’s world.

 

For too long, people labeled ‘mentally ill’ have faced discrimination and stigma. That’s why, on August 24, I’ll be proud to join thousands of people at the first ever Destination Dignity March, in Washington, D.C.

 

Organized by civil rights and social justice groups throughout the U.S., this event seeks to end the negative portrayals of people with mental illness, which have led to mass incarceration, homelessness, and pharmaceutical abuse.

 

As the many links within this message affirm, it’s easy to find positive stories about people who refuse to be defined by their illness – and, through grit, compassion, intelligence, and creativity, overcome daunting challenges toward a path of recovery and full citizenship.

 

I hope you will take a minute to read a couple of these truly wonderful stories. Attitudes only change when we are able to see beyond labels in getting to know our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and relatives.

 

Sincerely,

Steve Coe

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 


Getting Out to Get Better
 
Running For My Hero:  From Texas to the NYC Finish Line
 
My Meeting with the New York Police Department

 

 


Albany Lawmakers Push For 35,000 Housing Units to Fight Homelessness
 
New York’s First Disability Pride Parade

 

 

 

 

           

Copyright © 2015 Community Access, Inc., All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email, because you opted in at our website or an event of Community Access. If you prefer to no longer receive emails, you are welcome to unsubscribe. Thank you for your support of Community Access and the work we are doing to help New Yorkers who are overcoming mental illness and homelessness.

Our mailing address is:

Community Access, Inc.

2 Washington Street

9th Floor

New York, NY 10004


Add us to your address book

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences