NYAPRS is very pleased to introduce our new Public Policy Director Luke Sikinyi! Luke will be helping to support our grassroots community and advocacy, lead NYAPRS’ statewide and national public policy and engagement efforts and to support the work of our members. He will also be joining me in sending out our regular ENews postings, including the one on Daniel’s Law to come this morning. Please welcome Luke! You can reach him at LukeS@nyaprs.org.
Luke Sikinyi is a first generation American born to Kenyan immigrants who credits his mother for instilling in him a sense of justice and a desire to help others. He grew up in Georgia before going to New York University to study Psychology. Upon graduating he began working for a Clubhouse in New York City, where he started advocating for mental health rights and a more equitable, person-centered system.
Luke went on to study public health at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health with a focus on Health Education and Health Communication. During his time in Baltimore, he got more involved with policy, working with The College for Behavioral Health Leadership on national mental health advocacy.
“I am extremely excited to work with NYAPRS. I hope to continue advancing peer oriented mental health policies to help more people get the services they deserve and recover with dignity while protecting their human rights. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone in the NYAPRS family!”
Luke with NYS Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk
at yesterday’s Daniel’s Law NYS Capital New Conference