Recovery Options Made Easy, a peer-run non-profit headquartered in Gowanda, NY was recognized for its exemplary leadership and service award by the New York Alliance of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS). Recovery Options was awarded the Marty Smith Memorial Award, on Thursday, September 30, 2021, during NYAPRS “United in Hope, Together for Justice and Wellness for All “virtual conference. The Marty Smith Memorial Award is presented to an organization that has provided exemplary community services to New Yorkers with mental health, substance use and trauma-related challenges.
Nancy Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Restoration Society Inc., recognized Recovery Options stating “ROME as an agency is a team of highly trained, incredibly compassionate, and passionate, hardworking, and forward-thinking individuals. Individuals who, as peers, know what it’s like to navigate the system.”
Recovery Options is a not-for-profit supported housing and community support services agency. As a 95% peer-run organization, Recovery Options was developed and is operated by those who have lived through the recovery process. Their tailored programs and services directly benefit participants in mental health services in 20 counties throughout the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions. The organization is committed to decreasing stigma by increasing awareness of mental health and substance use through information, education, and advocacy.
In addition, to recognize the dedication and work in supporting peers, NYAPRS named their Board leadership award after the late Recovery Options CEO, Dr. Kirsten Vincent, PhD. The Kirsten Vincent Leadership Award is presented to a NYASPS Board member who has made inspiring and exemplary contributions to advance the recovery, rights, and dignity of New Yorkers with mental health, substance use and trauma-related challenges. This year, the award was accepted by Carla Rabinowitz. Carla Rabinowitz has worked as an advocacy coordinator from Community Access and served as Board President of NYAPRS.
“Kirsten, who passed this Memorial Day 2021, was a passionate, leader and friend to those with mental health issues and those who served them. She spent much of her time running our organization and providing training across the state. This is a much-deserved great honor, for a very humble servant,” said Interim CEO, Shannon Higbee.
NYAPRS’s mission is to act as a change agent dedicated to improving services, public policies, and social conditions for people with mental health, substance use and trauma-related challenges, by promoting health, wellness, and recovery, with full community inclusion, so that all may achieve maximum potential in communities of choice.
For more information, please call Marketing Outreach Coordinator, Katelynn Smith at 716.790.9516 or katelynn.smith@recoveryoptionsny.org. You can also visit Recovery Options Made Easy’s website at recoveryoptionsny.org.
