Community Action

September 13th, 2024

 

ASCEND participated the 4th Annual Walk for Veterans Suicide Awareness & Prevention at City Park in Glens Falls hosted by the Veteran’s Business Council of Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

 

We are thankful to have been involved in this vital initiative, where community members gathered to show their unwavering support for veterans and to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
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Sara Parker, Outreach Coordinator (right), Shayna Conway, Outreach Specialist (middle), and  Michele Morehouse, Communications Coordinator (left)
attended the 4th Annual Veterans Suicide Awareness & Prevention walk in City Park in Glens Falls, NY on September 12th, 2024. 

 

September 6th, 2024

 

ASCEND Expands Services with Approval of New Housing Beds

Hudson Falls, NY – ASCEND Mental Wellness is thrilled to announce that The New York State Office of Mental Health has approved two of our Request for Proposals, marking a significant expansion for our residential programs.

 

This approval enables us to add twenty beds to our Restorative Residential Community Living Satellite program and twenty-five beds to our Supportive Housing Scattered-Site Supported Housing, all of which will be located across Warren and Washington Counties.

 

This expansion is a pivotal step in addressing the needs of individuals with severe mental illnesses and enhancing our capacity to offer person-centered tailored care and support. Our goal is to provide more comprehensive and accessible services for those in need within our communities.

 

As of 2023, Warren and Washington Counties’ homeless population continues to fluctuate whether chronic, unsheltered, or sheltered temporarily staying with friends or family. This is a number that ASCEND pays close attention to as we develop and implement strategic plans throughout all our programs, such as to help reduce the number of homeless individuals in the community.

 

To support this initiative, ASCEND is seeking landlords who have rentals in Warren and Washington Counties to partner with us.

 

Benefits to landlords include – assured rental payments and long-term tenant stability, as well as being a contributor to the alleviation of the affordable housing crisis our community faces.

 

Additionally, we are looking to make meaningful connections throughout our communities to further assist in making this initiative possible. With the added apartments, there is a need to furnish these apartments with essential items, such as kitchenware, bathroom items, bedding, and furniture.

 

We invite businesses, community partners, and individuals to support this effort through donations of needed items and/or financial contributions.

 

For more information and to explore this partnership opportunity please contact:

Lisa Baker, Director of Restorative Residential Services at lbaker@ascendmw.org, or Amber Beaudet, Supportive Residential Services at abeaudet@ascendmw.org.

 

By working together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those facing severe mental health challenges and homelessness. We look forward to partnering with our communities to enhance the support and care available to our neighbors in need.

August 15th, 2024

 

We had the pleasure of hosting the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County for a tour of our Wellness Garden. Garden Coordinator, Kayleigh Winne highlighted the purpose of the Wellness Garden, how we approach therapeutic gardening from a holistic perspective, how our garden harvest goes into our weekly farmers’ markets and East Side Center Lunch Program, and all the amazing projects that have been accomplished over the years.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County visiting our Wellness Garden at 230 Maple St, Glens Falls, NY. – August 2024.

 

August 1st, 2024

 

This summer we are partnering with Comfort Food Community to bring their Free Food Run to our 50 Cooper Street location to help serve bring healthier meal options to those who are faced with food insecurities in our communities in Warren and Washington Counties.

 

The Free Food Run will run through the beginning of September every Wednesday. This event is open to the entire community. Our slot is 11:15AM – 11:45AM.

 

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Comfort Food Community staff handing out healthy meal options to individuals in our community at 50 Cooper Street.

 

July 26th, 2024

 

We are immensely grateful to Travelers Insurance for their recent volunteering at our agency over the last two months. Their team engaged in a variety of projects, including landscaping, painting, staining, sweeping, and general cleanup. This ongoing support is crucial in maintaining safe and inviting spaces for our community residences and programs.

 

Thank you for your dedication!

 

Genesis

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Caleo

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Travelers Insurance employees hard at work at various projects throughout our agency. 

 

July 1st, 2024

 

ASCEND Mental Wellness Expands their Youth Resources  

 

Hudson Falls, NY – ASCEND has been working hard over the past year to expand the resources we offer to young people in our programs and services.

 

Thanks to a donation from the 100 Women Who Care of Northeastern NY Chapter, last May we were able to use the funds to either renovate space we had or to start projects from scratch. Caleo Counseling, Youth Care Management, and Cooper Street Apartments each received a portion of these funds.

 

At Caleo Counseling we upgraded our childrens’ waiting room with colorful furniture and activities to engage children whether they are waiting for an appointment or are a sibling waiting. Also, we took an unused group therapy room and converted it into a sensory room. It serves as a controlled and intentionally created therapeutic space with a variety of soft play sensory resources that combines multiple stimuli (visual, physical, auditory, and tactile) to aid children in self-regulation, anxiety, and stress. “The sensory room allows children to explore their emotions in a safe place using various sensory tools with the support of a therapist,” Wendy Berry, Clinical Services Director at Caleo Counseling.

 

Along with this, we updated our downstairs play therapy space to include a tumble zone, which includes tumble mats, hoops, and yoga balls that help children get their energy out, self-regulate, and focus.

 

At Cooper Street Apartments, we provided the children of the families living there spaces to play both indoors and outdoors. Last fall, we completed the start of our playground to include rubber mulch for safety, a small swing set, and a sandbox. Inside we created our agency’s first-ever residential playroom. This playroom offers educational and sensory-based toys, books, and more that allow children to explore, experiment, and create in a safe space where they can express themselves.

 

“Having an onsite playground and playroom at the Cooper Street building offers a wealth of benefits for both young children and early education. These dedicated spaces provide safe and convenient outlets for physical activity and social interaction, crucial for healthy development. We are excited to see these spaces utilized by our families and the providers who serve them,” Alecia Setteducato, Assistant Residential Coordinator of Cooper Street Apartments.

 

Our youth care management team, with the help of these funds, was able to give individuals who normally do not have the funds for recreational activities a hand. We provided 23 season passes for parents and their children for Six Flags Great Escape. With the remaining funds, they were able to help eight families afford back-to-school necessities, such as clothes, shoes, and school supplies.

 

It is with projects and available resources like these that we can make a difference in the lives of the youth we serve. There is much more to do as these projects continue to grow and expand. We welcome and are grateful for the partnerships that we can make within the community to make these projects a reality.

 

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Completed playroom at Cooper Street Apartments. 

 

June 20th, 2024

 

East Side Center has completed its first Mural as a part of the East Side Center Mural Project. The murals were completed by members and staff to help create an environment that inspires, motivates, and empowers everyone.

 

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Finished mural at the new gym for East Side Center.

June 13th, 2024

 

ASCEND Mental Wellness – East Side Center Carwash Fundraiser

 

Glens Falls, NY – ASCEND Mental Wellness’s East Side Center located at 230 Maple Street kicked off their East Side Center Carwash Fundraiser on Thursday, June 13th, 2024.

 

This summer East Side Center will offer a $5.00 exterior carwash bi-weekly every Thursday through September 5th to help raise funds for our East Side Center’s – Adult Psychiatric Day Rehabilitation Program. The first carwash was successful with the help of East Side Center members and staff participating to help support mental wellness.

 

Our adult psychiatric rehabilitation program supports personal growth and wellness through social, recreational, creative, learning, volunteerism, employment, and community participation opportunities. This program services adults 18 and older in Warren and Washington Counties.

 

“We want to support our community by offering affordable car washes all summer long. Our members will learn valuable life skills while raising money to go back into their program. The money earned will go toward a large-scale fun community outing after all their hard work,” Danielle Weiss, Director of Support Services.

 

Through fundraisers like this, we can continue to support individuals in our communities giving them the opportunities they need to thrive.

 

You can join us on Thursday, July 11th, July 25th, August 8th, August 22nd, and September 5th from 10 AM to 12 PM at 230 Maple Street in Glens Falls, NY. The carwash entrance is located the Orchard Street parking lot. This event is cash only.

June 3rd, 2024

As a part of PRIDE Month, ASCEND attended the Lower Adirondack PRIDE, PRIDE Festival on Sunday, June 2nd in City Park to show our support for inclusivity and diversity in all faucets of life.

 

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East Side Center members and Danielle Weiss, Director of Support Services. 

May 30th, 2024

 

Warren Washington Counties Brainstorm’s Chalk the Walk in City Park was a success! Over 200 people attend this event children and adults alike.

 

Thank you to everyone who came who to celebrate brain health, mental wellness, and recovery!

 

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2024 Chalk the Walk at City Park in Glens Falls, NY – May 28th, 2024.

May 30th, 2024

Thank you to WTEN (News 10 ABC) for helping advocate the message of celebrating mental health and recovery in our communities!

Check out the news coverage of the event!

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Susan McManus, Executive Director of Adirondack EAP (far left), Michele Morehouse, Communications Coordinator at ASCEND (left),
Ginger Miller, Dual Recovery Coordinator at ASCEND (right), and Rebecca Ryan (right).

May 23rd, 2024

A BIG thanks to the Walmart Queensbury – Route 9 and their employees who joined us at our Wellness Garden – volunteering their time helping us rebuild our raised garden beds.

 

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Walmart – Route 9 Queensbury employees building new raised beds for our Wellness Garden – May 2024.

May 20th, 2024

 

ASCEND staff teamed up for Cody’s Climb – Hike for Hope by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- Capital Region, NY on Prospect Mountain in Lake George, NY to support the fight again suicide.

 

With everyone’s help, Team ASCEND was able to raise $770 to help the fight against suicide in our communities!
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ASCEND Staff – Amber Beaudet, Director of Supportive Residential Services (left), Andrea Deepe, CEO (middle),
and Lisa Baker, Director of Restorative Residential Services (middle), and Matt Baker, Facilities (right) with family
on May 19th – Cody’s Climb – Prospect Mountain – Lake George, NY.

May 13th, 2024

 

Thank you to everyone who came out on Friday for our Tree of Hope celebration in support of mental health. Stop by City Park in Glens Falls and visit our Tree of Hope all month long to see inspiring messages of hope and healing.

 

ALL Mental Health Matters!
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Tree of Hope Celebration – City Park, Glens Falls, NY – May 2024

May 10th, 2024

Thank you to everyone who supported our 2024 Annual Community Awards!

 

  • Travelers volunteers for help setting up and manning the event check-in.
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Highlights of our 2024 Annual Community Awards at Heritage Hall at the Cool Insuring Arena on Thursday, May 9th. 

April 29th, 2024

Our 2nd Annual Spring Plant Sale for our Wellness Garden was a success. We raised $327.00 thanks to the generosity of our community. This money will go towards supporting our incredible Wellness Garden.

The success of our spring plant sale wouldn’t have been without the help of our garden club members and staff.

A big shout out to Glens Falls Produce for their generous donation of hotdogs and buns – we couldn’t have done it without you!
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Wellness Garden Coordinator, Kayleigh Winne – prepping for
2nd Annual Spring Plant Sale at 230 Maple Street in Glens Falls

April 23rd, 2024

We are beyond excited to announce our award recipients for our 2024 Annual Community Awards!

 

The Dorothea Dix Community Service Award winner is the Warren County Board of Supervisors for their devotion of 1 million dollars from the Warren County ARPA (American Rescue Plan Recovery Act) funds to go towards Mental Health in Warren County.

 

Our Walter P. Reichert Award winner is WAIT House for their introduction of clinical social work services embedded in their services serving the homeless youth in Warren and Washington Counties.

 

Congratulations to our recipients and the difference they make in our communities!!!

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WAIT House –
Walter P. Reichert Award – April 2023.
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Warren County Board of Supervisors –
Dorothea Dix Community Service Award – April 2023.

April 3rd, 2024

 

Thank you to all our sponsors: SUNY AdirondackHudson Headwaters Health Network, and Seeley Office Systems for supporting youth mental wellness in our communities for our Annual Community Awards on May 9th!

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March 22nd, 2024

We are partnering with Warren County NY Public Health for Mental Health 101! This is a FREE community discussion and training on mental health issues. Our goal is to eliminate the stigmas that surround mental wellness and promote positive mental health. 

Danielle Weiss, Director of Support Services at ASCEND will be instructing this training. There will be four sessions in Warren County throughout all of 2024. 

The program will provide:

•     An overview of how mental health impacts overall health

•     The differences between mental health and mental illness

•     How to recognize signs and symptoms of poor mental health

•     Treatment and support options

“Nearly one in five people will experience mental illness in their lifetime. However, everyone faces challenges in their life that can impact their mental health and well-being. Thanks to Warren County Public Health, I can help educate our community so no one feels alone with their experiences and can gain resources and support options about getting the help they or someone they care about may need,” Danielle Weiss, Director of Support Services.

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Mental Health 101, West Glens Falls Fire House on March 21st, 2024.

March 16th, 2024

ASCEND staff helped raised funds for our community Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks at this year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake on Friday, March 15th.

 

Our teams The ASCEND Lucky Charms and ASCEND Shenanigans blew our funding goal of $1,000 out of the water!

 

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King Pin Alley in South Glens Falls for the 2024 Bowl for Kids’ Sake for Big Brother Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks. 

February 29th, 2024

A HUGE Thank you to Colorize INC of Queensbury for supplying the paints for our murals at East Side Center.

Our members and staff are excited to get this project underway!

Interested in helping out? We are still in need of some supplies for our Mural Project you can donate today!

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In-kind donation from Colorize Inc. of Queensbury to help our East Side Center Mural Project.

February 1st, 2024

Help us support Project: Cameron’s Story!

For the 7th year in a row, we are pleased to be supporting Project: Cameron’s Story, a 501 c(3) public, children’s charity for their annual Bookraiser!

 

PCS is a local organization that helps families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) bond with their little ones. Through the efforts of this foundation (with the help of people like you and I!) each family in the following hospitals receives, upon admission, a book to read to their baby:

 

• Albany Medical Center (850 babies)
• St. Peter’s Hospital (450 babies)
• Crouse Hospital (900 babies)
• Stony Brook University Hospital (1000 babies)
• UHS Wilson Medical Center (400 babies)
• Golisano Children’s Hospital (1200 babies)
• Bellevue Women’s Center (450 babies)
• The Joyce Stock Snuggery/Special Care (400 babies)
• New York Presbyterian/Stanley Morgan (1200 babies)
• New York Presbyterian/Weil Cornell (1100 babies)
• John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital (900 babies)
• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (100 babies)
• North Shore Hospital (1000 babies)
• Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital (1100 babies)
• Mount Sinai West Hospital (500 babies)
• Flushing Medical Center (500 babies)
• Vassar Brothers Medical Center (500 babies)
• HCH at NYU Langone (1200 babies)
• Cohen Children’s Medical Center (1700 babies)

Learn more about Project Cameron’s Story:
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Project Cameron’s Story Annual Bookraiser event – all month of February.

January 16th, 2024

We kicked off our personal hygiene initiative to help support our outreach, residential, and care management programs. 

There is a constant need of personal hygiene items for many of our programs to help those dealing with mental illness, chronic homelessness, and domestic violence survivors. By providing these items of necessity we can help these individuals begin to rebuild their life.

Donations can be dropped off at 3043 State Route 4, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 or contact communication coordinator Michele Morehouse at mmorehouse@ascendmw.org for more info.
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Oral Hygiene donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste from Schutze Family Dentistry.

January 11th, 2024

Our very own Director of Supportive Residential Services, Amber Beaudet spoke at the Forum for Justice Involved Individuals presented by The Open Door Mission at the West Glens Falls EMS Building on January 10th.

This forum discussed how we can support the rehabilitation of justice-involved individuals in our area.
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  Amber Beaudet, Director of Supportive Residential Services speaking at the Forum for Justice Involved Individuals.

December 26th, 2024

The spirit of the holidays isn’t just about the gifts, it’s about coming together as a team. At the beginning of December, our staff celebrated the holidays together from the ugly sweaters to the yummy food. Our staff had a blast celebrating the holiday season together. Plus, we honored some of our amazing team members for their long-term commitment to our agency.
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Staff Holiday Party at the Lake George Holiday Inn.

December 26th, 2024

Another successful Jessy Giving Tree for the 2023 holiday season. We are so thankful for Our Lady of the Annunciation for their continued support during the holidays. With their help we were able to provide gifts to our residents in our residential programs.
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Gifts for our residents in our Residential Programs this 2023 holiday season.

December 6th, 2024

 

This Holiday season we are giving back by supporting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks‘ for their 2023 toy drive. You can drop off donations at Caleo Counseling located at 3043 State Route 4 in Hudson Falls, New York. We are accepting gifts for children aged 5 to 18 and will be collecting until December 13th.
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Toy Drive collection box at Caleo Counseling for Big Brother Big Sisters of Southern Adirondacks.

November 16th, 2023

We’re excited to announce we were chosen as one of the recipients of Glens Falls National’s Thankful Campaign. This $10,000 donation will allow us to continue to serve our community and help individuals access the mental health support they need.
GFN Thankful
  Danielle Weiss Director of Support Services (far left), Andrea Deepe, Chief
Executive Officer (left), Cathy Pink, Glens Falls National Community
Reinvestment Officer (right), Ginger Miller, Peer Specialist (far right).

November 8th, 2023

The ARCC’s 2023 Business EXPO was hopping at the Queensbury Hotel!
ARCC 2023 Business Expo at the Queensbury Hotel.

October 19th, 2023

The Travelers Insurance – Community Connections chose our agency to donate their employees volunteer hours. Over the course of three weeks Travelers’ employees joined us at our Wellness Garden, Genesis (Community Residence), and Pearl Street (Community Residence) to help us with multiple projects.

Wellness Garden:

Genesis:

Pearl Street:

Travelers’ volunteering throughout multiple programs at our agency. 

October 19th, 2023

The Travelers Insurance – Community Connections chose our agency to donate their employees volunteer hours. Over the course of three weeks Travelers’ employees joined us at our Wellness Garden, Genesis (Community Residence), and Pearl Street (Community Residence) to help us with multiple projects.

Wellness Garden:

Genesis:

Pearl Street:

Travelers’ volunteering throughout multiple programs at our agency. 

October 5th, 2023

We’re thrilled to receive the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Large Non-Profit Award for 2023.
It’s an honor to be recognized for our work and impact on the community. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our community. Thank you!
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ARCC Large Non-profit Award – 2023.

September 6th, 2023

Genesis, one of our long standing community residences got a much needed interior facelift for its front entry way, front hallway, stairwell and upstairs hallway.

 

Renovations at our Community Residence – Genesis.

September 14th, 2023

On Wednesday – September 13th, we joined the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Business Network for their Annual Walk for Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

ARCC 3rd Annual Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk in CIty Park, Glens Falls, NY.

September 22nd, 2023

Our Cooper Street Playground is now complete!

In our 17’x27′ space, we were able to fit medium-sized swing set. It contains two swings, a 2.5 foot slide, and a sandbox made out of cedar wood. Blue rubber playground mulch will provide a safe play surface.

In the spring of 2024, we intend to add few additional elements to the playground.

Thank you to 100 Women Who Care of Northeastern New York for making this possible with your donation. Cooper’s families are overjoyed!

 

New Cooper Street Apartments Playground.

 

August 10th, 2023

Recently, we completed the update to our kids waiting room, which was possible from 100 Women Who Care of Northeast NY Chapter.

Prior to COVID Caleo Counseling’s waiting rooms were renovated for more space allowing for a kids’ waiting room. Right before COVID it was being decorated and setup with an Under the Sea theme.

Since regulations have been lifted from the pandemic we now have the opportunity to finish what was started.

The goal for the waiting room was just not to create an environment for clients, but for siblings that may be waiting for them to get done with their appointment as well. Now because of the donation we were able to complete the kids waiting room with needed furniture and activities. We ordered a storage cubby for organizing games, a secondary bookcase for the books (for which the clinicians have so children can take home a book), a dual activity table that is home to busy beads and building blocks (converts into a lego building station), ordered an under the sea rug with learning attributes for kids and lastly we ordered a kids table that allows kids to sit down and have space to play, build or draw.

We recently just finished the waiting room on July 25th. So far it has been a hit and had a good response from parents and kids alike.

August 28th, 2023

On Tuesday – August 22nd, our outreach specialists Gabby Wood (Warren County) and Sara Parker (Washington County) at the “Reimaging Re-Entry: Reintegrating Into Society After Incarceration,” engaged in panel discussions and joined others in sharing their experiences and knowledge on a unique platform about how to lower recidivism rates and strategies to increase people’s resilience at the Capital District Recovery Center in Albany, NY.

 

“Reimaging Re-Entry: Reintegrating Into Society After Incarceration,” conference
at Capital District Recovery Center in Albany, NY.

August 4th, 2023

Our new sensory room has opened!

 

At Caleo Counseling, we renovated an old group therapy room into a a controlled and intentionally created therapeutic space with a variety of soft play sensory resources and materials that combine multiple stimuli (visual, physical, auditory, and tactile) to aid children in self-regulation, anxiety, and stress.

 

This project was made possible by the donation from the 100 Women Who Care of Northeastern NY.

Sensory Room located at Caleo Counseling.

July 3rd, 2023

We were approved for 50/50 match for the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation through 100 Women Who Care Northeast NY Chapter!

May 24th, 2023

On Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 members of 100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter delivered a collective donation of $5975.00 to our agency.

 

100 Women Who Care of Northeastern NY presenting our agency with
their donation at our Cooper Street Apartments. 

May 14th, 2023

For Mental Health Awareness Month our agency brought people together to help fight the stigma surrounding mental health with the show from Kamakshi Hart “Resilient AF: Rising to the Occasion!” Thank you to the Charles R. Wood Theater and their staff for helping us make this happen!
Furthermore, this couldn’t have been possible if not for our sponsors:
Schutze Family Dentistry
Matthew Baitinger – CPA & Financial Advisor Morgan Stanley
Erica Friday & John Burke
To our community partners who joined us in spreading the word about mental health:
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Silent Art Auction at 2023 “Resilient AF” Fundraiser.

May 4th, 2023

We are quarterly recipients of a donation from the 100 Women Who Care Northeastern NY Chapter. As an agency we are thankful for this donation because it will allows us to complete and expand some of the resources in our programs specifically for children. 

The funds will go to help our Cooper Street Apartments build a playground, Care Management for youth activities and back to school, and to Caleo Counseling for updating kids’ waiting room and creating a sensory room.

 

Learn more about 100 Women Who Care Northeast NY Chapter

May 1st, 2023

As of May 1st, Warren Washington Association for Mental Health is now ASCEND Mental Wellness.
While we may have a new face, we are still the same agency, we are changing to evolve for individuals we serve in our communities.