BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is please d to announce the honorees for its Evening of Excellence benefit to be h eld on Tuesday\, June 19\, 2012\, \;at the Crystal Plaza\, 305 West Northfield Avenue\, Livingston\, New Jersey.  \;\n \;\n&ldquo\;O ur heartfelt appreciation is extended to our honorees for the Mental Hea lth Association in New Jersey&rsquo\;s 2012 Evening of Excellence. Repre senting the business\, non-profit and mental health consumer worlds\, th ey were selected on the basis of their exemplary commitment and accompli shments in improving the lives of those with mental illness in our state \,&rdquo\; stated Carolyn Beauchamp\, President and CEO of the Mental He alth Association in New Jersey. &ldquo\;We also wish to acknowledge our supporters and contributors for sharing in our mission and to our staff and volunteers for their dedication and innovation which are at the hear t of our efforts.&rdquo\;\n \;\nSenator Joseph F. Vitale will be the Master of Ceremonies for the MHANJ&rsquo\;s Evening of Excellence. Repr esenting the 19th Legislative District since 1998\, Senator Vitale is th e Chair of the Health\, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.\n& nbsp\;\nAbout the Honorees\n \;\nKevin Cummings\, President and CEO of Investors Bank\nPhilanthropist of the Year\nAs President and CEO of I nvestors Bank and as an active participant in the community\, Kevin Cumm ings consistently demonstrates his commitment to non-profit organization s. Recognizing the importance of making a positive difference in the com munities that the Bank serves\, Mr. Cummings was the key catalyst in sta rting the Investors Foundation which has awarded or pledged more than $6 million to non-profit organizations since its founding in 2005. Mr. Cum mings is also involved in several community service organizations.\n&nbs p\;\nInvestors Bank\, headquartered in Short Hills\, New Jersey\, is the third largest bank in the state.\n \;\nRichard W. Brown\,Chief Exec utive Officer\, \;Monarch Housing Associates\nGolden Bell Leadership Award Recipient\nMr. Brown has been with Monarch Housing for 21 years a nd is the organization&rsquo\;s first and only CEO. The head of the firs t non-profit association that began to provide housing assistance in the state\, he is an established state-wide leader in New Jersey&rsquo\;s a ffordable and supportive housing \;community. Mr. Brown&rsquo\;s awa rd highlights his work to expand the supply\, accessibility\, and variet y of affordable\, permanent supportive housing through development\, pla nning\, advocacy and partnerships.\n \;\nMHANJ founded Monarch Housi ng in 1990\, and since then\, has supported efforts to fulfill its missi on.\n \;\nSomerset Hills YMCA&rsquo\;s Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP)\nGolden Bell Leadership Award Recipient\nThe Somerset Hills YMCA&r squo\;s Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP) is a coalition of agencies\, organizations and individuals concerned with public\, mental health and related issues. HOP was formed to help people connect with the resources they need to overcome these problems. The program has emerged as a lead er of innovation in linking physical to mental health among the YMCAs in the state and as a mental health beacon for the Somerset Hills YMCA&rsq uo\;s 20\,000 members and the surrounding community. \; Understandin g the importance of mental health\, the Y began offering Mental Health F irst Aid training to its leadership\, staff\, members and the community at large.\n \;\nMichael Ippoliti\, \;Youth Advocate\nGolden Bell Leadership Award Recipient\nMichael Ippoliti is one of the youngest and most vocal health advocates in New Jersey. He is the only young adult m ember of New Jersey&rsquo\;s Mental Health and Addiction Services Planni ng Council. Mr. Ippoliti is active on the New Jersey Department of Child ren and Family&rsquo\;s Youth Development Council working toward the eli mination of mental health stigma for New Jersey youth. Mr. Ippoliti has been a tireless speaker at numerous events over the years. He received a New Jersey Governor&rsquo\;s Council on Mental Health Stigma Award for Advocacy in 2010.\n \;\nMHANJ&rsquo\;s Evening of Excellence\nJune 1 9\, 2012 marks the 13th Annual Evening of Excellence benefit for the Men tal Health Association in New Jersey. Proceeds will support the Associat ion&rsquo\;s efforts to strive for mental health for children and adults through advocacy\, education\, training\, and services. \; For tick ets\, sponsorship opportunities\, or to place a congratulatory ad\, plea se contact Bob Martin at rmartin@mhanj.org or 973-571-4100\, ext. 128.\n  \;\nAbout the Mental Health Association in New Jersey\nSince 1948\, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey has worked to fulfill its m ission by responding to issues and concerns raised by consumers of menta l health services\, and then working for changes and promoting policies that protect their rights and fight the stigma that surrounds mental ill ness and makes recovery difficult. The MHANJ advocates for systems chang e with elected and appointed government officials on the state\, federal and local levels. Administrative\, legal\, budgetary and treatment issu es that affect people with mental illness are all addressed. The organiz ation also provides services that directly assist consumers in need\, an d thus reduce the strain on the limited government resources.\n \;\n MHANJ&rsquo\;s main office is located in Verona\, New Jersey\; affiliate offices are located in Absecon\, Bridgewater\, Jersey City\, Kenilworth \, Montclair and Toms River. For more information about MHANJ\, visit&nb sp\;www.mhanj.org\, call 973-571-4100 or follow MHANJ on Facebook. URL:http://verona.patch.com/events/mental-health-association-in-nj-evenin g-of-excellence-a66a8608 SUMMARY:Mental Health Association in NJ - Evening of Excellence LOCATION:305 W Northfield Rd\, Livingston\, NJ 07039: 305 W Northfield Rd \, Livingston\, NJ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR