In Honor and Memory of Isaac Brown
July 27, 2024
We are deeply saddened to share the news of Isaac Brown’s passing early this morning. Isaac was an historic and deeply passionate peer services and advocacy pioneer, and a very dear friend and colleague to the members of our state and national mental health recovery community. Following are some words from Taina Laing, CEO of Baltic Street Wellness Solutions and co-chair of our Alliance for Rights and Recovery and from me to cherish the man Isaac was and to honor the legacy he leaves behind.
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Good evening all,
It is with sad news that I must inform you of the passing of our past CEO and Peer movement pioneer Mr. Issac Brown. Isaac Brown, a trailblazer in the peer advocacy movement, devoted over 40 years to championing the rights and dignity of those in need. His tireless work in advocacy was not just a career but a calling, one that he embraced with compassion, resilience, and an unwavering belief in humanity’s capacity for kindness and justice.
Isaac’s journey with Baltic Street began 35 years ago when he helped establish the organization, envisioning a community where peer support and mutual aid were the cornerstones. His vision transformed Baltic Street into a beacon of hope and empowerment, touching countless lives and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
Beyond his advocacy, Isaac was an accomplished artist. His art was a profound expression of his love for peace and humanity, capturing the nuances of the human experience with every brushstroke. His creative spirit was a testament to his belief in the transformative power of art, a medium through which he communicated his deepest convictions and hopes for a better world.
Isaac’s passion for the Grateful Dead was more than a love for music; it was a guiding philosophy. The band’s messages of community, love, and freedom mirrored Isaac’s own values and influenced his approach to life and work. He lived with an infectious enthusiasm, spreading joy and fostering connections wherever he went.
To those who knew him personally, Isaac was a mentor, a guiding light who offered wisdom, support, and inspiration. His mentorship shaped many lives, including mine, and his guidance will forever be a part of who we are.
As Isaac prepared to step into the role of CEO of Baltic Street, his vision and leadership promised to usher in a new era of growth and innovation. Though his journey with us was cut short, his legacy of compassion, creativity, and relentless advocacy will continue to inspire and guide us.
Isaac Brown was more than a leader; he was a friend, a mentor, and a visionary. His contributions to the advancement of the peer advocacy movement in New York State, his artistic brilliance, and his unwavering love for humanity and peace will be remembered and cherished. We honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately believed in and by striving to embody the values he held dear.
In solidarity,
Taina Martinez-Laing, MSW CEO
Baltic Street Wellness Solutions
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Isaac was literally a giant in our movement. So many of us will forever carry the memory of his great big smiles and bearhugs, his spirited laughter and his great passion, determination and commitment to promote and protect the members of our community.
Isaac will be best known as the longtime executive director of Baltic Street AEH, a powerhouse peer-led organization that recently expanded and rebranded itself as Baltic Street Wellness Solutions.
In that role, he is a widely recognized pioneer who helped to lead New York City’s only peer run agency to become the largest one in New York State and one of the most prominent ones in the nation. Over the years, Baltic Street has offered wellness, drop in, advocacy, engagement and employment services and was among the very first peer organizations to adopt and adapt our NYAPRS Peer Bridger model at New York City-based state and community hospitals and adult homes.
Isaac was also involved in several notable studies of the impact of peer run services,
Participation in Peer Support Services and Outcomes Related to Recovery and
Outcomes of Peer-Provided Individual Placement and Support Services in a Mental Health Peer-Run Vocational Program
Isaac was also a collector of record albums and CDs (almost 2,000 items at one time), guitars and native American jewelry.
He was also deeply involved in the arts. While he loved music, he was a very talented and prolific painter. In fact, just outside of Albany, the Bethlehem Public Library is currently showing a collection of his works. You can see some of his works and a brief bio here.
Isaac’s religion was very important to him, both as man of faith, a one-time soldier in the Israeli army and a current member of several Jewish congregations in the greater Albany area.
He had great respect for his fellow national and state movement leaders, who in turn shared respect and great appreciation for his work and his spirit. See the attached PDF to see photos of Isaac alongside Pat Deegan, Moe Armstrong, Chacku Mathai, David Bayne, Taina Laing and Jonathan Edwards.
I’ll carry so many memories of Isaac with me in the years to come. Perhaps the most inspiring one occurred during the time that COVID first visited its devastation on New York City. While masks were initially very hard to come by, Isaac would not rest until he located a source in California and purchased and promptly distributed thousands of masks to vulnerable residents of NYC area adult homes. That’s who Isaac Brown was.
Rest in power dear friend
Harvey Rosenthal, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
