ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 16TH ANNUAL GALA HONORING U.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER AND ORANGE COUNTY BASED RECAP AS 2021 VISION OF HOPE AWARDEES

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (June 8, 2021)– U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and the Regional Community Action Program (RECAP) were announced today as the 2021 recipients of the Access: Supports for Living Foundation’s Vision of Hope Award.   They will be honored at Access’ 16^th Annual Gala on September 23, 2021 at Blu Pointe. 

The Vision of Hope Award recognizes a person or organization who, through their work or commitment to the community, demonstrates Access’ mission of helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible. 

“From our incredible direct care staff to therapists working day and night supporting our friends and neighbors, we have had no shortage of examples of commitment to Access’ mission in the last year,” said Access President and CEO Ron Colavito.  “Senator Schumer and our partners at RECAP have been chief among those who saw increased need and responded with action and resolve, making our choice an easy one.”

US Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has an impressive record of advocating for mental health and substance use services and the families who need access to them, most recently securing $5 billion in the American Rescue Plan to protect and expand access to care.  He played a crucial role in opening and sustaining Access’ Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care, advocating for the agency’s original award through SAMHSA of $4 million in 2019 and its second $4 million award in 2021.  The Urgent Care provides immediate access to mental health and substance use treatment, in person and 24/7 virtually, throughout the Hudson Valley and at no cost if a person is uninsured or under-insured. 

Colavito continued, “Communities across the country, especially ours, will benefit for years to come from Senator Schumer’s leadership and his steadfast advocacy for accessible, community-based mental health and substance use services.  Since opening our Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care two years ago, more than 4,000 people have sought support, many for the first time.  This is how we achieve our mission of helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible, and our impact would not be nearly as great without Senator Schumer’s support.”

“Since Access: Supports for Living first started planning the Hudson Valley’s first Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care, I’ve been honored to work alongside them to make that momentous dream a reality. I was proud to successfully fight for millions in federal funding for the Urgent Care. However, I am infinitely more proud of the work the 1,500 employees at Access have done at the Urgent Care and the thousands of lives throughout the Hudson Valley that the Urgent Care has impacted, changed, and saved,” said Senator Schumer. “As majority leader, I put both expanding access to mental health services and tackling the opioid epidemic on the top of my agenda – because none of our neighbors in the Hudson Valley should continue to suffer in silence. While it is nothing short of an honor to be recognized with this year’s 2021 Vision of Hope Award, it pales in comparison to the most prestigious and humbling honor, the ability to work alongside Access and ensure that those suffering with mental health and substance use throughout the Hudson Valley have access to community-based support and services right in their backyards.”

For 56 years, RECAP has served Orange County’s most vulnerable residents.  Dedicated to people and communities challenged by hunger, homelessness, racism, and social injustice, RECAP empowers children, older adults, veterans, those living with HIV/AIDS, and victims of domestic violence through high quality health and human services, education, and advocacy.  In addition to its mission to eradicate poverty, RECAP also provides innovative programming for substance use treatment, job training, energy conservation, and nutrition, among others.  RECAP partners with Access in the community and through the collaborative Coordinated Behavioral Health Services Inc. (CBHS). 

“The alignment of missions and values between RECAP and Access is absolute,” said Nick Preddice, Chairperson of the Access: Supports for Living Foundation.  “Whether through Head Start or the Mill Street Café, we have seen, first-hand, RECAP’s impact improving the quality of life for people today and setting the next generation on a path to wellness and self-sufficiency.  We are grateful partners and enthusiastic supporters of RECAP’s work and commitment to eradicating poverty and promoting community health.”   

“On behalf of RECAPs Board of Directors and staff, I am honored to accept Access: Supports for Living’s Vision of Hope Award”, said Charles Quinn, RECAP’s Chief Executive Officer. “For 56 years, RECAP has provided a hand up to those who have needed it most and 2020 was no different. Our staff provided the same high quality services we always have and, as is the model of community action agencies, modified delivery to meet the needs of our community. Our work is complemented by our partners, like Access, and we thank them for this honor. We’d also like to congratulate and thank Senator Schumer for his support throughout the past year.”

Jermaine Paul, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and winner of NBC’s “The Voice” season two, will take the stage at the September 23rd event. Paul has served as a board member on the Access: Supports for Living Foundation since February 2020 and is currently the organization’s secretary. He will be joined by Woodstock, NY native, Ian Flanigan, who was also an outstanding finalist on season 19 of the hit TV show. Since his epic run on the show, Ian Flanigan signed with Reviver, and released “Grow Up (feat. Blake Shelton)” and is touring in support of that release. Flanigan shares a deep passion for service with Voice-alumnus Paul, and is excited to share the stage with him.

The Access: Supports for Living Foundation, created in 2006, works to support the work of Access in its efforts to deliver quality services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, and children and families with a wide range of needs.” Alliant Insurance Services will return as the presenting sponsor of this year’s event. For additional sponsorship opportunities or tickets to the event, please contact Patricia Archiere at (845) 673-7127.

About Access: Supports for Living

Access: Supports for Living was founded in 1963 by a group of families who believed in a bright, positive future for their children with disabilities. Today, Access is a $100 million non-profit organization mission-driven to help people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible. Access summarizes its worldview in four words: Rewarding Lives, Healthy Communities and supports “Access for All”. For more information, visit the website: www.accesssupports.org or call 1-888-750-2266.