Wealth, a financial planning and wealth management firm with a

2269 Saw Mill River Road
Building 1A
Elmsford, New York 10523
Phone: (914) 345-5900
Fax: (914) 347-8859
www.mhawestchester.org
Fall 2009
Board of Directors
Officers
Norman J. Michaels, Jr.
President
MHA on the move: Run, Walk, Dance!
Raises $250,000
Jeffrey H. Becker, Esq.
Patrice Ingrassia
Mary Beth Morrissey, Esq.
Hon. Vincent R. Rippa
Vice Presidents
John J. Ryan
Treasurer
Michael J. Lombardi
Secretary
Board of Directors
Donna Esposito Clarfeld
Nora Liss Contract
Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq.
Geoffrey Kent, Esq.
Marion Lynton
Tanya D. Norris
Hon. Suzi Oppenheimer
Bobbi Rebisz
Donna M. Renella
Jill H. Shore
Hon. Nicholas A. Spano
Richard T. Suarez
Yvonne D. Tropp
Mike Wilson
CEO/Executive Director
Dr. Amy Kohn
Runners on the move at the start of the 5K Run/Walk.
CNN’s Gerri Willis, Stone Phillips,
and CBS’s Lou Young joined MHA in
fighting the stigma of mental health
issues, helping the organization to
raise funds for programs. More than
500 friends and supporters raised
$250,000 through MHA on the
move: Run, Walk, Dance! a twopart event that included a Gala
Dance Celebration held on
Thursday, September 24, at The
Atrium in White Plains, and MHA’s
fifth annual Run/Walk held
Saturday, September 26 at
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park.
At the Gala Dance Celebration, MHA
honored Joe Pantoliano, actor and
mental health advocate; Janet Z.
Segal, Executive Vice President, Four
Winds Hospital; Strategies for
MHA Staff…on the move!
Amy Kohn, CEO, Doris Schwartz,
Associate Executive Director, and
Barbara Bernstein, Director of
Education and Training, conducted
a workshop, It’s All About You:
One Agency’s Person-Centered
Transformation Journey, at the
New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services 27th
Annual Conference. MHA was
featured as an exemplary model of
agency transformation to personcentered planning.
Please support MHA’s work
by making a donation online
at www.mhawestchester.org
or consider MHA in your will
or trust.
Wealth, a financial planning and
wealth management firm with a
strong commitment to helping
children; and Dino Venuto, MHA
volunteer. Donna Esposito Clarfeld
chaired the event, and Stephen J.
Jones and Susan C. Christenson
served as Honorary Co-Chairs.
CNN’s Gerri Willis and MHA Board
President, Norman J. Michaels, Jr.
hosted the Gala Dance Celebration.
Proceeds from MHA on the move:
Run, Walk, Dance! will support
MHA’s advocacy, education and
direct services. “These events help
us to address the stigma that too
often accompanies having a mental
health problem and prevents people
from getting the help they need,”
said Dr. Amy Kohn, MHA’s CEO and
Executive Director. She noted that
“these amazing community events
bring people together to raise
awareness of what we do, and how
we help.”
continued on page 3
MHA Board Members (left to right)
Patrice Ingrassia, Norman Michaels
and Hon. Suzi Oppenheimer
Doris Schwartz, MHA Associate Executive Director (far left) and Donna
Esposito Clarfeld, MHA Board member and event Chair (far right) with
Gala Dance Celebration honorees (left to right) Dino Venuto, MHA volunteer; Joe Pantoliano, actor and mental health advocate; Janet Z. Segal,
Executive Vice President, Four Winds Hospital; Jerry Harnick, Strategies
for Wealth, a financial planning and wealth management firm.
Run/Walk host Stone Phillips,
CBS’s Lou Young and CNN’s Gerri
Willis cheer on the runners as they
cross the finish line.
Ira S. Stevens Conference: Embracing Transformation
“I came with a ‘ho-hum’ attitude, another conference to get through. A pleasant, enriching
surprise. Thank you. I’m leaving determined to
rock the boat in ‘patient’s’ lives and my professional way of functioning.”
Nearly 400 mental health professionals – a record
number of participants – joined MHA at the 29th
annual Ira S. Stevens Conference, which focused
on Person-Centered Mental Health Care. Held at
the Westchester County Center in May, the conference highlighted MHA’s transformation initiative
which embraces a recovery-based model of
practice, utilizing a person-centered approach to
service delivery.
The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Mark Ragins, a
nationally prominent psychiatrist who has
promoted and implemented effective means of
preparing individuals with psychiatric diagnoses
for life in the community. MHA CEO/Executive
Director, Dr. Amy Kohn, hosted the event and New
York State Commissioner of Mental Health Dr.
Michael F. Hogan, and Westchester County
Department of Community Mental Health
Commissioner Dr. Grant Mitchell, addressed how
the County and State are implementing personcentered planning and service delivery.
Mathew Mathai, Deputy Director, New York
Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services,
and Joshua Koerner, Executive Director of CHOICE,
each spoke of his own recovery and of serving as
leaders of recovery organizations. Afternoon
breakout sessions provided a variety of opportunities for discussion and further examination of the
principles of person-centered planning.
MHA’s transformation initiative is inspired by the
2003 report of the New Freedom Commission,
Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental
Health in America, which calls for drastic reform
of the U.S. mental health system. ❧
Dr. Grant Mitchell (left), Westchester County Department
of Community Mental Health Commissioner; Dr. Amy
Kohn, MHA CEO/Executive Director; Dr. Michael
Hogan, New York State Commissioner of Mental Health,
at MHA’s 2009 Ira S. Stevens Conference.
MHA Welcomes New Board Members
MHA would like to extend a warm welcome to Donna Esposito Clarfeld and Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq.,
the newest members of MHA’s Board of Directors.
Donna Esposito Clarfeld, a resident of Tarrytown,
NY, most recently served as Assistant Vice
President at M&T Bank, where she was
responsible for deposit relationships with major
businesses, specifically with the goal of building a
presence in Westchester County. Prior to this, Ms.
Clarfeld worked at The Bank of New York in various
capacities. She is a New York State Life and Health
Insurance Agent and is a Series 6
Registered Representative.
Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq., a resident of
Scarsdale, NY, is an attorney who specializes in
employment practices. She advises, consults,
trains and handles all aspects of equal employment
and diversity issues, including the development
and implementation of diversity programs, human
resources polices and affirmative action plans. Ms.
Greenwald is also an adjunct instructor at Cornell
University and the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations in New York City. Ms.
Greenwald received her B.A. degree, magna cum
laude, from Lehigh University and a J.D. degree
Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq. Donna Esposito Clarfeld
from the New York University School of Law. ❧
Success Story: Julia Valles
MHA is known for striving toward
eradicating the stigma associated with
mental illness and providing quality
care for those who need it. It is through
success stories like that of Julia Valles
that the impact of MHA’s programs and
services is best understood.
Julia, 44, was introduced to MHA
through another non-profit
organization, Search for Change. The
organization, which felt that Julia needed to improve her socialization skills,
recommended that she join the Sterling Club, an MHA program based in
White Plains, that provides adults with
serious mental illnesses opportunities
to access volunteer activities, paid
employment and the opportunity to
make friends. “I didn’t really know anyone and I wasn’t the best person to get
along with,” said Julia. At the Sterling
Club, case managers told Julia that if
2
By Lyndsay C. Luff
Development and Communications Intern
she could improve her communication
skills, they would give her a job. Soon
after taking their advice, Julia began
working at Borders in Scarsdale. That
was eight years ago, and Julia has
been with the company ever since.
Having recently transferred to a
Borders in Mt. Kisco, she is happy with
her decision to join the Sterling Club. “I
made the right choice,” she said.
MHA has helped Julia in many ways.
As an employee of a nationwide corporation and a growing individual, she
has learned to strengthen her social
skills on her own and in the environments provided to her through MHA.
She began volunteering at MHA in the
Finance and Billing departments doing
filing and helping out with various department tasks. She has also played a
role in the fundraising efforts for
MHA’s primary annual fundraising
event, MHA on the move: Run, Walk,
Dance! In addition to helping with
logistics for MHA on the move, Julia
collects pledges and recruits participants for the Run/Walk. “They’ve given
me a great opportunity to be able to
volunteer. I’m now getting along with
people a lot better and I’ve gotten to
interact with different people with different personalities,” said Julia.
Though it seems inconvenient for
someone without a driver’s license to
commute by bus and train from Mount
Vernon to Elmsford and Mt. Kisco, she
is appreciative of her opportunities and
is driven in a less literal sense. “If you
want a job that badly, you find a way to
get there,” said Julia.
Julia continues to take advantage of
MHA’s events and activities. At Mt.
Kisco Athletic Club’s
continued on page 4
Caroline Turner (left), MHA’s Director
of Development, and Julia Valles enjoy
lunch at The Sterling Clubs’s Annual
Transitional Employment Luncheon at
Uno’s Chicago Grill.
continued from page 1
Thanks to our MHA
on the move Sponsors
Gold
MasterCard Worldwide and Strategies for Wealth
Silver
Aetna Foundation, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caspi
Development Company, Entergy and
Michaels & Associates, Inc.
Bronze
AstraZeneca, CNN, Eastview Realty Advisors LLC,
Janssen LP, MetLife, The Law Offices of Vincent R.
Rippa and Streeter Phillips Photography
Media Sponsors
News12 Westchester, Optimum, Westchester
County Business Journal and WFAS Radio
With special thanks to
Clarfeld Financial Advisors, Inc.
Margaret Hadad, Program Director, Long
Term Care Ombudsman Program and
Dino Venuto, MHA Spirit Award honoree
Runners and walkers enjoy entertainment by Hijinx.
Volunteers Speak-up for Residents at Long Term Care Facilities
Volunteers in MHA’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocate
for residents’ rights, dignity and quality care. The Program was created in the
1970s as a direct response to the nursing home scandals of that era. MHA has
been the designated program for Westchester since 1978. There is no other
such program in the County and using volunteers to carry out the mission
makes it both unique and cost efficient. The Program’s belief is that residents in
long term care facilities will receive better care when trained volunteer
Ombudsmen (and women) visit on a regular basis. LTCOP volunteers assist in
mediation, negotiation and problem solving, and attend Resident Council and
Family Council meetings.
LTCOP’s 55 volunteers provide an unparalleled and vital service: In 2008, they
visited 8,186 long-term care facility residents (67,212 total visits) at 67 licensed
long term care facilities throughout Westchester, including nursing and adult
homes, assisted living facilities and enriched housing. The Ombudsmen
provided oversight and advocacy for residents, monitored dignity and quality
of care, and resolved 1,600 complaints, with 98% satisfaction from those
receiving help.
Volunteer training occurs each spring and fall and includes a total of 36 hours
of instruction through weekly sessions over six weeks. At the end of the training, volunteers receive certification as Ombudsmen by the New York State
Office for the Aging and are assigned a facility near their home. Ombudsmen
need to make a one year commitment to the program and agree to visit
residents a minimum of four hours each week at the assigned facility.
If you would like to become a LTCOP volunteer, please call Margaret Hadad at
914-345-5900 ext. 298 or e-mail her at hadadm@mhawestchester.org. ❧
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
Help a Family for the Holidays
Nearly 40 volunteers gathered for MHA’s annual Volunteer Recognition
Luncheon. Held on June 23 in honor of MHA volunteers, the luncheon is a
tribute to this diverse group who dedicate their time to those most in need –
seniors in adult homes, troubled adolescents, families needing support – to
name a few.
“Without you, our dedicated volunteers, many of our programs would not
exist, such as CASA, Mentoring, Family and Abuse Court Services, and Long
Term Care Ombudsman Program. Other programs, such as the Sterling Club,
are enriched by your work,” Dr. Amy Kohn, MHA CEO/Executive Director, said to
the volunteers. “We’d also like to thank our Board members, and volunteers
who help our staff with our monthly Recovery Speaker Series and quality
assurance initiatives.”
Dr. Kohn also announced the recipient of this year’s MHA on the move Spirit
Award, presented to the volunteer who is tireless in their gift of time and talent
to MHA, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program volunteer Dino Venuto.
If you are interested in volunteering for MHA, please call Constance
Moustakas, Senior Development Associate at (914) 345-5900 ext. 209 or visit
the MHA website www.mhawestchester.org for more information.
Dear MHA –
I thought you would like to know what a wonderful thing it was for
Annette to receive the presents for her boys and for herself. She came
into my office looking tearful and complaining of stomach pains.
When I gave her the gifts, and she saw all the toys and games for Sam
and Frank, she burst into tears. She could not believe that someone
could be so generous – and she was especially touched that they did
not even put their name on the gifts. When she stopped crying she
told me that her stomach ache had disappeared – that she had been
so miserable at the thought of not being able to give her boys a
Christmas that she had felt ill. Then when I gave her the phone card
and the A&P cards, she was thrilled. She said she could call her
grandmother down south on Christmas, and could get the materials to
make her Christmas cookies as well as the food for Christmas dinner.
Her whole face lit up.
This holiday, please join us in helping our clients like Annette, who,
without your support cannot celebrate the holidays. MHA can match
you with a family in need of some holiday cheer– a warm jacket,
toys for the kids, a holiday meal.
To help a family or individual this holiday, call Janice Hansen at
914-345-5900 ext. 202 or email her at hansenj@mhawestchester.org.
3
The Mental Health Association of
Westchester County, Inc.
2269 Saw Mill River Road
Building 1A
Elmsford, NY 10523
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
White Plains, NY
Permit #1011
Photo credits:
Diane Adler
Hector Martinez
Kristen Moustakas
Contract Agency
continued from page 2
“MHA Westchester Night,” she
participated in ZUMBA, a Latin-inspired
dance class. “Wonderful! It was a new
experience for me and I met a lot of
different people there,” said Julia. Her
favorite event is MHA on the Move:
Run, Walk, Dance! After having to
withdraw from a Peer Advocacy class
in 1998 due to illness, Julia’s
determination has led her back to the
class which she will be taking in
October 2009, followed by an internship that she looks forward to
completing. She will also be a part of a
Peer Network Group in White Plains
with Westchester Independent Living
Center in which she will be assisting
hospital patients.
Words of wisdom are often expected to
come from parents and grandparents, philosophers and teachers.
However, Julia’s experiences have
given her the stories to inspire and
provide some words of wisdom of her
own. “I struggled through a lot
growing up, but everyone should know
not to give up. Set a goal. My goal was
to work here (at MHA) and now I do.
Believe in your dreams. My dream was
to live comfortably in a nice apartment
with a washing machine and a dryer
and I’ve been living in a Mount Vernon
apartment that has that for three years
now. Don’t be afraid. Before, I was
afraid to ask questions because someone might get mad at me or I’d say it
the wrong way, so I didn’t say anything
but being on my own and advocating
for myself, I’ve learned just to ask for
help,” she said.
Julia thanks MHA for being there when
she needed help and vows to keep in
contact with them. “I’m getting people
who are struggling with mental illness
and need help to come to MHA by
telling them what MHA has done for
me. By telling people about the
organization and by donating, they
could be helping someone they know
who needs it. You might need help one
day, you never know.” ❧
In Memory
MHA mourns the loss of Board member and friend, Margaretta H. Pike.
Marg’s life was filled with community
voluntarism. She first came to MHA as
a United Way liaison volunteer in the
early 1980s. Marg served on MHA’s
Board for 20 years (1984 – 2004) as
co-chair of the Program Committee
and for a two-year term as Vice
President. We will always remember
her dedication, leadership and energy,
and her support of MHA. ❧
MHA Staff…Making News!
Congratulations to Cindy Peterson-Dana, Family Specialist for MHA’s Children’s Case
Management Program, for being selected to receive the Mental Health Association in
New York State’s 2009 Family Advocate of the Year Award.
www.mhawestchester.org
Would you like to receive this newsletter by e-mail? To switch to e-mail delivery, send an e-mail message to Constance Moustakas at
moustakc@mhawestchester.org.