6
July
2023
Waisheung Diaz: Giving Back Through Service
By Communications
A mother of six and grandmother to five, Waisheung Diaz certainly has her hands full as the family matriarch – which makes it all the more impressive that she is pursuing a degree in human services at Metropolitan College of New York while also holding a full-time job.
30
January
2023
Statement in Response to Mayor Adams' "State of the City" Address
By Lynsey Billet - Communications
CEO Cal Hedigan urges the mayor to invest in the human service sector.
10
January
2023
Statement in Response to Governor Hochul's "State of the State" Address
By Lynsey Billet - Communications
CEO Cal Hedigan comments on Hochul's recent mental health plans.
29
Novemeber
2022
Community Access Rejects Mayor Adams' Mental Health Initiative.
By Lynsey Billet - Communications
CEO Cal Hedigan criticizes the vision outlined in the mayor's recent announcement.
20
September
2022
Testimony Before the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
Our CEO Cal Hedigan submitted written testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction for a heading on establishing a needle, syringe, and sharp buyback pilot program.
22
June
2022
Testimony Before the New York Attorney General's Hearing on New York's Mental Health Crisis
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
On June 22, 2022, our CEO Cal Hedigan submitted testimony for the New York Attorney General's hearing on New York's mental health crisis.
25
May
2022
Executive Budget Testimony Before the NYC Council Committee on Finance
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
On May 25, 2022, our CEO Cal Hedigan presented testimony at the executive budget hearing before the New York City Council Committee on Finance.
19
May
2022
Introducing Our New Trustee: Ricki Lake
By Communications
On May 12, 2022, Community Access hosted our 48th Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala—our first return to the annual in-person event since 2019. We were honored to welcome Ricki Lake as our special guest and keynote speaker for the evening.
23
March
2022
Howie the Harp Alumna: Linda Parrish-Phillips
By Communications
Our Howie the Harp Advocacy Center (HTH) is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the nation’s foremost training and workforce development academy for peers with a complete renovation of the center and curricula enhancements.
9
March
2022
Preliminary Budget Testimony before the NYC Council Committees on Mental Health and Health
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
On March 9, 2022, our CEO Cal Hedigan presented testimony at the preliminary budget hearing before the New York City Council Committee on Health and Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction.
14
March
2022
Preliminary Budget Testimony before the NYC Council Committee on Housing and Buildings
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
On March 14, 2022, our CEO Cal Hedigan submitted written testimony to the NYC Council Committee on Housing and Buildings for a preliminary budget hearing.
14
February
2022
Testimony before the New York State Senate Joint Legislative Mental Hygiene Budget Hearing
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
Our CEO Cal Hedigan submitted written testimony to the New York State Senate Mental Health Committee for a hearing on the 2022 Executive Budget Proposal.
8
October
2021
Testimony before the New York City Council Committees on Mental Health, Disabilities, & Addiction; Women and Gender Equity
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
Our CEO Cal Hedigan submitted written testimony to the New York City Council Committees on Mental Health, Disabilities, & Addiction; Women and Gender Equity for a hearing on COVID-19's impact on the mental health of women caregivers.
27
September
2021
Testimony Before NYC Council Committee on Public Safety
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
Our CEO Cal Hedigan submitted written testimony to the New York City Council Public Safety Committee for the Committee's hearing on reducing the responsibilities of the NYPD.
27
August
2021
Family and Community at Bruckner Boulevard
By Communications
Sophie and her family are tenants at Bruckner Boulevard. Permanent housing has given her children the security and space to play and grow. Their favorite part is the backyard.
25
May
2021
Testimony before the New York City Council Finance Committee
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
On May 25, Cal Hedigan, CEO of Community Access, presented testimony before the New York City Finance Committee on the Mayor’s Executive Budget for FY2022.
15
March
2021
Preliminary Budget Testimony Before the New York City Council Committee on Health and Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
On March 15, Cal Hedigan, CEO of Community Access, presented testimony at the preliminary budget hearing before the New York City Council Committee on Health and Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction.
22
Feb.
2021
Testimony Before NYC Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
Today, Cal Hedigan, CEO of Community Access, presented testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addition on Intros. 2210 (establishing the Office of Community Mental Health within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) and 2222 (creating a three-digit mental health emergency hotline):
6
January
2021
Howie the Harp Updates
By Lynnae Brown - Director, Howie the Harp
Like all of Community Access, the sudden shut-down of Howie the Harp (HTH) operations back in March 2020 threw us for a loop!
07
DEC
2020
Your Support Makes Us Stronger
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for all of us. But it did not change the vital importance of Community Access’ work. In fact, for the 3,500 tenants and participants who rely on our services — many of whom live in neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic — our work became more important than ever.
by Jenna Sayed - Development & Communications Intern
22
JULY
2020
Catching Up with Phyll
By Jenna Sayed - Development & Communications Intern
My name is Jenna Sayed and I am a Princeton University undergraduate and an intern at Community Access this summer. With COVID-19 raging through New York City in the past few months, I wanted to hear how Community Access participants felt during these difficult times.
18
JUNE
2020
Centering Racial Equity in Our Work
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
Community Access stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We strongly support all those taking their voices to the streets and to their elected officials to end racial injustice and state sanctioned violence against people of color.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
11
JUNE
2020
CCIT-NYC Calls on City to Immediately Redirect NYPD Funding
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Today, CCIT-NYC, a coalition that Community Access helps to lead, issued the following statement:
25
October
2019
October Outlook
By David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
I'm a respite worker at CA's Crisis Respite Center, and I write a poem every month. This is my October selection. I hope you enjoy it!
12
September
2019
A September Perspective
By David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
I'm a respite worker at CA's Crisis Respite Center, and I write a poem every month. This is my September selection. I hope you enjoy it!
by David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
11
July
2019
Heads High in July
By David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
I'm a respite worker at CA's Crisis Respite Center, and I write a poem every month. This is my July selection. I hope you enjoy it!
01
JULY
2019
Greetings!
By Cal Hedigan - CEO
I’m writing this as Community Access’ new CEO. Today – July 1 – is my first day! I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that has been such a central part of my life.
by David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
16
April
2019
Grateful in April
By David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
I'm a respite worker at CA's Crisis Respite Center, and I write a poem every month. This is my April selection. I hope you enjoy it!
by Lyle Schmerz - Career Coach, Howie the Harp
4
APRIL
2019
Time for a New Therapeutic Paradigm
By Lyle Schmerz - Career Coach, Howie the Harp
My name is Lyle Schmerz and I am a Career Coach at CA's Howie the Harp Advocacy Center (HTH). I have been working at Community Access almost 5 years and, this past September, I graduated with my MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Attached below is my final paper from my Professional Seminar class while attending Hunter. I thought you might find it interesting.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
18
JAN
2019
Cal Hedigan Will Be New CEO of Community Access
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
I am pleased to announce that Cal Hedigan has been hired by our Board of Directors to succeed me as Community Access’ next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2019.
by Maynor Alas - Respite Worker
27
NOV
2018
A #GivingTuesday Story
By Maynor Alas - Respite Worker
Community Access is a big deal to me. So is this #GivingTuesday. Let me explain why.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
18
SEPT
2018
Statement on Fatal Shooting of Queens Woman in Crisis
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
On September 17, a Queens woman in distress was fatally shot in a police encounter. Here is my official statement on the matter:
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
16
AUG
2018
Statement on NYC Plan to Open Community-Based Jails
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
The de Blasio administration has announced a plan for opening community-based jails, as a step toward eventually closing the jail complex on Rikers Island. Here is my official statement on the matter:
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
27
JUNE
2018
NYC Pride 2018
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
This past Sunday, Community Access marched in New York City’s Pride March for the fourth year.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
6
JUNE
2018
Kate Spade Statement
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
We're taking a moment today to share the following statement — after the sad news that Kate Spade was found dead in her New York apartment yesterday, in an apparent suicide:
by David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
30
MAY
2018
May Bees
By David "Dasun" Blanks - Respite Worker
I'm a respite worker at CA's Crisis Respite Center, and I write a poem every month. This is my May selection. I hope you enjoy it!
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
09
MAY
2018
44th Anniversary Gala Raises $1.2 Million!
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
I'm delighted to report that our 44th Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala, on May 3 at 583 Park Avenue, was our most successful yet — raising $1.2 million in support of our work.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
1
MAR
2018
People Living With Mental Health Concerns Have Tenant Rights,Need Voices
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Tenants in multi-unit housing routinely form advisory bodies, through which they express their perspectives about the operation of their home. At Community Access, we honor this right of self-determination. Our tenants are problem-solvers, good neighbors, and like tenants everywhere, have a vested interest in keeping their communities strong.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
15
FEB
2018
Community Access Statement on the Deborah Danner Verdict
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Below is our official statement in response to the acquittal of Sgt. Hugh Barry for the death of Deborah Danner, as well as a statement from Trinity Church Wall Street, of which Deborah was a proud member:
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
8
SEPT
2017
City Council Testimony on CIT
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
We continue to advocate for more training for NYPD officers to improve relations between police and the mental health community. On September 6, I testified before the New York City Council and called on the mayor to revive his 2014 Task Force on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health. Here is my testimony:
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
31
JULY
2017
Responding to the Death of Dwayne Jeune
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Here is my statement in response to today's news that Dwayne Jeune, an emotionally distressed person, was shot and killed by police in his Brooklyn home:
by Luis Cabrera - CA Tenant
27
JULY
2017
Sing with us!
By Luis Cabrera - CA Tenant, Co-Founder of the CA Singers
I’m not too much into writing, but one thing I like to do is help people and make them smile. One way I get to do that is helping with the CA Singers.
by Bubbles, Pet Access Fish
6
JULY
2017
A Statement from Bubbles (Glub Glub)
By Bubbles - Pet Access Fish
Not so long ago, we were all crammed in, 12 to a tank, in a pet store waiting for the day someone would take us to a loving home. Well, that day came when our new best friend, Robert (who’s a really nice guy!) picked us out. And why wouldn’t he? Look at how flashy and fun we are!
by Jean Bellamy - Development Intern
27
JUNE
2017
Community Access Pride
By Jean Bellamy - Development Intern
Happy Pride everyone! It certainly is a historic one, with marriage equality two years behind us, the one year anniversary of the Pulse shootings, and a renewed vigor for activism and protest under President Trump. Which is why I was so pleased to be able to participate in the NYC Pride march this past Sunday with Community Access.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
22
JUNE
2017
Self-Determination Versus Forced Treatment
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Here is my statement in response to recent legislation extending Kendra's Law through June 30, 2020:
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
31
MAY
2017
NYPD Sergeant Charged with the Murder of Emotionally Distressed Bronx Woman
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Here is my statement in response to today's news that an NYPD Sergeant has been charged with the murder of Deborah Danner, who was fatally shot in October last year:
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
11
MAY
2017
43rd Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala Sets New Fundraising High!
By (former) CEO
Our 43rd Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala at 583 Park Avenue was truly a night to remember – and the most successful fundraiser in our history. We set the bar to $1.1 million, and counting!
by Carla Rabinowitz, Advocacy Coordinator
30
APRIL
2017
Continuing Dialog with the NYPD
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Much of Community Access' advocacy work focuses on improving relations between police officers and the mental health community. Back in January, the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD published "A Review of NYPD's Approach to Handling Interactions with People in Mental Crisis." And earlier this month, the NYPD responded to this report. Here, now, is our response to the NYPD:
by Tami Gatta - Hearing Voices Group Developer
04
JAN
2017
Free Groups for Complex Minds
By Tami Gatta - Hearing Voices Group Developer
Manhattan is slowly building up its groups for those hearing voices, seeing visions, and experiencing other sensory phenomenon. We now have THREE free groups that are open to the public!
by Daniel Meredith - Employment Specialist
27
DEC
2016
2016 Holiday Market
By Daniel Meredith - Employment Specialist
On December 9, Community Access held its second annual Holiday Market. The event featured vendors from across Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx selling all types of homemade wares: from paintings and prints to knitted garments and scented balms to holiday cards and cookies.
by Carla Rabinowitz, Advocacy Coordinator
4
NOV
2016
Join us on the steps of City Hall for CIT Speak Out
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Please consider joining us on the steps of City Hall on Monday, November 14, for CIT Speak Out — a call for the NYPD to improve its responses to those in emotional distress.
by Daniel Meredith - Employment Specialist
20
OCT
2016
2016 Vocational Achievement Awards an Awesome Celebration
By Daniel Meredith - Employment Specialist
Community Access prides itself on being more than just a housing provider; it is a place for people to enrich their lives and find satisfaction in the things that they do. With that in mind, Community Access hosted its first Vocational Achievement Awards this past Friday.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
19
OCT
2016
Serious Questions After Fatal Shooting of 66-Year-Old Woman in the Bronx
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
While details are still emerging, we are concerned about the fatal shooting of what has been described in the press as an emotionally distressed woman.
by Carla Rabinowitz, Advocacy Coordinator
11
OCT
2016
An Inspiring Day of Film and Conversation
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Our 12th annual New York City Mental Health Film Festival was a wonderful event. With 12 films from around the world, as well as appearances by some very special guests, it was a major achievement in our efforts to present mental health issues in a positive light and build a community through film.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
16
AUG
2016
Community Access Secures $15 Million OMH Grant
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Here's an article published today in Crain's NY by Jonathan Lamantia:
13
JUNE
2016
I love you more now, because I know you more now
By Murial King - Service Coordinator
"May you never lay your head down Without a hand to hold; May you never make your bed out in the cold."
- John Martyn
17
MAY
2016
Tobacco Harm Reduction Conference
By Helen Redmond - (Former) Harm Reduction Specialist
On April 21, Community Access co-sponsored (along with CUNY) a Tobacco Harm Reduction Conference – the first time in the U.S. a conference has specifically addressed smoking among people with a psychiatric diagnosis. It was a resounding success!
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
17
MAY
2016
42nd Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala Raises More Than $1,000,000!
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Our 42nd Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala at 583 Park Avenue was a truly special and memorable occasion – and the most successful fundraiser in Community Access’ history. In fact: our first $1,000,000 Gala!
by Jordan Freeman - Director, C.D.S.
13
JAN
2016
Holiday Market: Homemade Wares
By Jordan Freeman - Director, Career Development Services
This past month, Community Access hosted a score of entrepreneurs in its first December Holiday Market located at the 2 Washington St offices.
by Justin Barron - Director, Blueprint Supported Education
14
DEC
2015
Hello From the Blueprint Launch Party
By Justin Barron - Director, Blueprint Supported Education
On Friday, December 11th, Community Access hosted a launch party to celebrate its newest program, Blueprint Supported Education!
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
25
NOV
2015
A Closer Look at Mayor de Blasio's New Mental Health Roadmap
By Steve Coe, (former) CEO
It has been my pleasure to join Mayor de Blasio at two major press conferences within the last week.
by Tami Gatta - Respite Worker
23
SEPT
2015
Hearing Voices Movement Getting Louder
By Tami Gatta - Respite Worker
As New York shifts toward a more holistic and peer-driven approach to mental health, the Hearing Voices Movement has begun to gain momentum.
by Therese Sonesson - Harm Reduction Coordinator
31
AUG
2015
Today is Overdose Awareness Day
By Therese Sonesson - Harm Reduction Coordinator
Having an overdose means having too much of a drug, or combination of drugs, for your body to handle. Not all overdoses have a deadly outcome, but way too many do. For over a decade the number of overdose deaths in the US has increased every year. The most recent data show that almost 5 people per hour died of an overdose in the US in 2013. This makes drug overdose the leading cause of accidental death in the country.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
20
AUG
2015
A Call for Justice and Dignity
By Steve Coe, (former) CEO
“The Violent Mentally Ill.”
05
AUG
2015
Running for My Hero: From Texas to the NYC Finish Line
By Jaime Telfeyan-Haddock
My brother Zar has paranoid schizophrenia and is on the autism spectrum. He is my hero and the reason I am running with Team Community Access in the 2015 NYC Marathon.
by Raphael Rivas - Service Coordinator
31
JULY
2015
Two Parades Connected By a Common Theme: Pride
By Raphael Rivas - Service Coordinator
I recently marched with Community Access in two parades with a common theme: Pride. On June 28 I walked in the LGBTQ Pride March, and on July 12 I marched in NYC’s first-ever Disability Pride Parade.
by Shavohnna Brisco - CA Tenant
17
JULY
2015
Getting Out to Get Better
By Shavohnna Brisco - CA Tenant
Wake up, put coffee on, clean, shower, prep dinner, watch Netflix, repeat.
by Lorraine Maynard - Development Associate
14
JULY
2015
My Meeting with the New York City Police Department
By Lorraine Maynard - Development Associate
I recently had the opportunity to participate in an NYPD CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams) training at the police academy in College Point, Queens. It was a panel discussion. What was I expecting? Massed ranks of uniforms, of course. What did I experience? Plain clothed officers willing to listen to mental health recipients in an effort to become more effective in their jobs.
by Duhaney Williams - Service Coordinator
06
JULY
2015
Proud to March with CA (Pride 2015)
By Duhaney Williams - Service Coordinator
On June 28th, Community Access participated in New York’s Heritage of Pride March for the first time! This year’s Pride March not only honored the past struggles and sacrifices of the LGBTQ community, but also celebrated the progress we have made towards equal rights. In particular, joy over last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage throughout the US permeated all of Sunday’s festivities!
by Jenna Young - Executive Assistant
26
JUNE
2015
The Climate of Our Ear (Pride)
By Jenna Young - Executive Assistant
For the very first time this Sunday, Community Access staff and participants will be walking in New York City's annual Pride March.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
17
JUNE
2015
From New York to Washington: Bringing Justice Home
By Steve Coe, (former) CEO
I’m writing this message on a train to Washington, D.C. At the last minute, I was asked to testify before a congressional committee at a hearing examining H.R. 2646, the “The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act,” better known as the Murphy Bill. The most comprehensive federal mental health legislation in more than 50 years, the bill has attracted both praise and criticism.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
18
MAY
2015
41st Anniversary Gala Raises $780,000
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Our 41st Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala on May 7th at 583 Park Avenue was a resounding success. We were joined by over 400 guests and raised $780,000 in support of our work.
by Giselle Harrington - (Former) Development Associate
14
APR
2015
CA Voices #21: Diana Burgos
By Giselle Harrington
For a year, Diana Burgos (her friends call her India) lived in New York City's shelter system in New York City.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
7
APR
2015
Progress: More Funding for Police Training
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Great news! New York officials will allocate $1.5 million to expanding Crisis Intervention Teams across the state.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
02
MARCH
2015
Housing & Police Dominate Agenda at Legislative Day
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
Many Community Access tenants, program participants, and staff were among 700+ individuals at the NYAPRS 17th Annual Legislative Day in Albany, NY.
by Lorraine Maynard - Development Associate
13
FEB
2015
From Russia With Questions: A Thought-Provoking Meeting
By Lorraine Maynard - Development Associate
I heard talk around the office that “the Russians are coming,” but had no idea I would get to share my story with them
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
21
JAN
2015
New Report Helps to Redefine Mental "Illness"
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Over coffee last Sunday morning, I read "Redefining Mental Illness," a wonderful Op-Ed in The Times by T.M. Luhrmann, a professor of anthropology at Stanford.
22
DEC
2014
Another Pedigree Tale (Woof Woof)
By Gali Bellamy - Dog
Not long ago on a hot July afternoon, I sat gazing out a dingy little window at the A.S.P.C.A., wondering what the cruel world had in store for me. Years of honest toil had slowed my once-vital limbs – and I didn’t have so much as a collar to call my own. Nor a single friend to vouch for my fabulous personality.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
08
DEC
2014
Successful Advocacy & Striving to Do Better
By Steve Coe, (former) CEO
Mayor de Blasio made two important announcements this week, both related to retraining police officers.
by Romie Grant - IT Systems Administrator
08
DEC
2014
No One Can Tell Our Story Better Than Us
By Romie Grant - IT Systems Administrator
After hearing about the decision to not indict the officers responsible for Eric Garner’s death I was angry, emotional and feeling powerless. I had conversations with many other CA staff who expressed the same sentiments.
by Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
03
DEC
2014
Let's Celebrate a Big Win Today!
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
I've worked in mental health advocacy long enough to know: (a) don't expect instant results, and (b) it's always a big group effort. That's why it's such a great pleasure to share with you today news of a BIG win. Major de Blasio just announced far-reaching plans to strengthen ties between criminal justice and behavioral health in NYC, which incorporate:
by Jessica Boyd - (Former) Harm Reduction Specialist
31
OCT
2014
Greetings from Baltimore Harm Reduction Conference
By Jessica Boyd - Harm Reduction Specialist
The 10th National Harm Reduction Conference was held October 23 to 26, and Community Access was actively involved.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
16
OCT
2014
We Are a Nonprofit Excellence Awards Finalist
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
I am pleased to announce that Community Access has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 New York Community Trust Nonprofit Excellence Awards. This is a substantial honor and follows a rigorous review that covered eight key areas of performance:
by Tiffany Conway - Program Director
02
JULY
2014
CA Iron Chef Cook-Off: The Results
By Tiffany Conway - Program Director
CA's Iron Chef Cook-Off was such an incredible event. I had high hopes for it, but was overwhelmed with joy to find out we had over 75 guests attend! Around 2 p.m., people started to trickle into the Stanton Street backyard, where tables were decorated in lovely red and white fruit arrangements, and with veggie platters.
20
JUNE
2014
The Healing Power of Pets
By Jody Silver - Executive Director of CSPNJ
Pets can play a powerful role in aiding mental health recovery. They offer companionship, emotional support, and - especially for dog walkers - are a great way to connect with your local community.
by Betsy Ranum - (Former) Staff Member
16
JUNE
2014
Community is Powerful Medicine
By Betsy Ranum - (Former) Staff Member
Many of us know that people with mental illness live—on average—25 years less than the overall population. There are many pieces to this puzzle: unequal access to health care, poverty, discrimination, metabolic syndrome, smoking, drug use... the list goes on and on.
10
JUNE
2014
Happy Running on Team CA
By Briana Gilmore - Director of Planning & Recovery Practice
I ran my second marathon last year with Team Community Access, and had an unforgettable experience. I injured myself a year prior during my first marathon in Hartford, when at mile 23 my right knee gave out and I painfully jogged the rest of the way in. So much for perfect training and a secured spot in Boston.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
30
MAY
2014
Join the Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
At a City Hall press conference yesterday I helped to launch the Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing, which calls on Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio to negotiate a new City-State agreement to create 30,000 units of supportive housing over the next 10 years. Drawing on the lessons learned during my 35 years at Community Access, I was able to share a simple but important message: supportive housing works and we need more of it.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
15
MAY
2014
40th Anniversary Gala Raises $600,000
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Our 40th Anniversary Good Neighbor Gala on May 8th at the United Nations was a successful and memorable event. We were joined by over 300 guests and raised $600,000 in support of our work. (On the fundraising front, that’s our best ever Gala!)
by Giselle Harrington - (Former) Development Associate
14
MAY
2014
CA Voices #14: Lucy Winer
By Giselle Harrington - (Former) Development Associate
At this year's 10th Annual NYC Mental Health Film Festival we are excited to be hosting filmmaker Lucy Winer, creator of Kings Park: Stories of an American Mental Institution. Lucy was committed to Kings Park State Hospital as a teenager in the 1960s. Through her documentary, she confronts the intense emotions she has carried since, and embarks on a journey to find answers. She talked with me about what it was like to make the film and how it changed from being a personal story to a story about the hospital itself.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
16
APR
2014
A Precious Needle In a Multibillion Dollar Haystack
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
Governor Cuomo recently signed a $138 billion budget. Buried in this huge sum is a revolutionary new item. Thanks to eleventh hour efforts by a dedicated group of supporters (organized by Community Access), leaders in the state legislature included $400,000 to launch a statewide program to assist police departments in designing and implementing crisis intervention teams (CITs).
9
APR
2014
Running the NYC Marathon for Team CA
By Giselle Harrington - (Former) Development Associate
When my boss told me that Community Access had five NYC Marathon slots it was looking to fill, running a marathon was something I had never seriously thought about before. Yet about five minutes later I volunteered to run!
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
3
MAR
2014
40 Years of Housing, Health and Human Rights
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
On May 8th, Community Access will host its Good Neighbor Gala at the United Nations. We’re celebrating a milestone “Homecoming” anniversary—40 years of housing, health and human rights—and launching several strategic initiatives to build upon our four decades of making New York City a better place.
20
FEB
2014
Campaign for NYC Crisis Intervention Teams Grows in Strength
By Carla Rabinowitz - Advocacy Coordinator
On the steps of City Hall yesterday, Community Access joined State Senator Kevin Parker, Brooklyn Borough President (and retired NYPD Captain) Eric Adams, and other members of the 50-strong Communities for Crisis Intervention Teams coalition, at a press conference calling for measures to improve emergency police responses involving individuals with mental health concerns. In spite of persistent rain, the turnout was great - both from supporters of this important cause and from reporters and journalists providing wide-spread media coverage - and everyone stayed to the end.
3
DEC
2013
Join the Fight for Autonomy, Freedom, and Non-Discrimination
By Duysal Karakus - Practice Specialist
Immense and towering, the United Nations (UN) building is a key landmark on the East Side of Manhattan. But aside from creating traffic when the President, Senators, and other VIPs visit, how does the UN affect our daily lives?
26
NOV
2013
Hell's Kitchen Winner Chef Rocks Cooks for CA
By Mark Jennings - Dep. Director of Housing
As a manager who works at Community Access’ downtown office it is not often that I get to interact directly with tenants and program participants. To stay connected, each year I try to organize some kind of event or group that brings people together.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
7
NOV
2013
One Year On, Hurricane Sandy Rebulding Continues
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
It’s been a year since our New York waterways rose up and went to places they had never gone before, including flooding the basements in three of our buildings. Altogether nine Community Access buildings went without heat and power for several long days and nights after the Con Ed substation in the East Village exploded.
10
OCT
2013
Community Access in Europe… and Europeans Over Here!
By Giselle Harrington - (Former) Development Associate
Community Access’ CEO, Steve Coe, and our Director of Real Estate, Maggi Knox, are currently in Rotterdam, Holland: attending an International Mental Health conference, in Utrecht, and visiting the mental health organization Pameijer, which started using Community Access’ Howie the Harp (HTH) peer-training model back in 2012.
8
OCT
2013
Know Your Rights: Mental Health Advocacy in Action
By Duysal Karakus & Karen Rosenthal
It all started at 5.30 a.m.! Friday, September 27, at NYC’s Port Authority Bus Terminal…
We (CA’s Training Department) are on our way to Hartford, Connecticut, for a conference about human rights, mental health and activism sponsored by The National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA).
NARPA has held an annual educational conference for over 30 years, in which speakers and attendees include people with experiences of psychiatric intervention, advocates, civil rights activists, mental health workers, and lawyers – with many people whose roles overlap.
We’re excited to attend (both of us for the first time), but so early in the morning are wondering Did we make the right decision to attend the conference for only one day? One long day of travelling and workshops!
We arrive at 8:45 a.m. just in time for…
Key Note Speech
By Jim Gottstein, J.D., from the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights)
(…something we’re especially looking forward to as Community Access sponsored a talk by Mr. Gottstein in 2010 about his work holding Medicaid and psychiatrists accountable for medicating children with unapproved psychiatric medications.)
He introduced his talk by describing the “Transformation Triangle” where (1) public education/public attitudes, (2) strategic litigation (his primary focus as a lawyer), and, (3) creating alternatives to the current system, interact together to create transformation in the mental health system. And he went on to discuss the “Forced Drugging Defense Package,” which can be used to fight against the locking of people up and drugging of individuals against their will. He also shared an exciting recent ruling from the 7th Circuit that rules that prescribing off-label psychiatric drugs to children is Medicaid fraud.
Next up, was the Lunchtime Key Note Speech:
“Changing Paradigms: From Guardianship to Supported Decision Making”
By Judge Kristin Booth Glen
As we sat down to eat, we had no idea just how powerful and inspiring this speech was about to be. Judge Glen shared her vision of different communities – individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and seniors – advocating together to dismantle the guardianship system in the US. She explored the possibility of utilizing Article 12 of the Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) as the legal basis for ensuring all individuals have the right to the support they need to exercise their right to make decisions. Few models of supported decision-making exist, she continued, and therefore we should all come together to consider what supported decision-making might look like for individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities.
Afternoon workshops were just as rich. Starting with:
“Holding Law Enforcement Accountable”
We were given examples of how Vermont and Connecticut are working to combat excessive use of force by police officers against individuals with psychiatric disabilities – by focusing on police training, advocating for Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs), and reducing the use of Tasers.
Then:
“Fighting the School to Prison Pipeline: IDEA, 504, and the ADA, and School Discipline”
by Ellen Saideman, J.D.
This session focused on the increasing trend for school discipline to bring minors to the juvenile justice system, even for minor infractions and truancy. She shared how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be used to protect students with disabilities from entering the school to prison pipeline.
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And finally...
Mental Health Law
By Susan Stefan, J.D.
An annual talk covering significant developments in mental health law over the past year, ones with both positive and negative impacts on our community.
*****Because of Amtrack delays, we didn't make it back to New York City until 12.30 a.m. Not only, though, did the trip take four and a half hours, we had the bad luck of being stuck in the train's quiet car... All we wanted to do was debrief and process our amazing day! We hope this blog post has at least offered a good overview of what we learned - please send us an
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if you'd like to find out more.
by Steve Coe - (former) CEO
4
OCT
2013
Building for a Better Future
By Steve Coe - (former) CEO
On October 1st, a bright sunny morning in New York, a man named Julius Graham randomly stabbed five people in Riverside Park with a pair of scissors. No one was killed, but a father was seriously wounded while defending his 18-month-old son. There was no apparent motive for the attack and little is known about Mr. Graham other than he arrived in New York a year ago and was living in a homeless shelter in the Bronx, sleeping on a cot in a communal room with nearly 100 other men. Mr. Graham obviously has some serious problems, and quite possibly had been using drugs. We do know he was disconnected from family and community, and not accessing any mental health services. He will probably end up in prison for his awful deed, costing taxpayers $60,000 plus per year.
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