Carolyn Beauchamp, president and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey received the Helping People Move Forward Award from NewBridge CEO Robert L. Parker.
Nearly 300 guests celebrated with NewBridge Services on May 9 as the nonprofit honored the longtime leader of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) at the Legacy of Hope Gala.
The event raised more than $127,000 to fund NewBridge’s programs in counseling, housing and education. The 56-year-old nonprofit served more than 7,200 children, adults and seniors last year.
Carolyn Beauchamp, president and CEO of MHANJ for more than 30 years, received NewBridge’s Helping People Move Forward Award. Beauchamp has developed programs that empower people with mental illness and created a strong statewide consumer voice that affects policy decisions at the highest levels. She organizes diverse groups to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health treatment.
“If you’re going to be an advocate, you have to be hopeful,” Beauchamp told NewBridge guests at The Legacy Castle. She worked for NewBridge early in her career. Among her contributions, Beauchamp helped NewBridge create New Jersey’s first long-term community residence for older adults hospitalized five years or more.
NewBridge Client John Donegan with his NewBridge case manager, Veronica Richardson.
Clients, supporters and staff shared moving stories at the gala about how NewBridge has impacted their lives.
“Not only did NewBridge save my life, but it continues to give me a quality of life worth fighting for,’’ said Nancy Finch, a client of NewBridge’s adult day treatment program. In comments punctuated by humor, Finch said, “the staff cared about me when I didn’t care about myself.”
Her life fell apart two years ago when both her sister and husband died, but Finch rebounded with NewBridge’s support. “I am living proof that a person who has chronic illness can still have times of happiness and success,” she said.
The NewBridge Legacy of Hope Gala committee.
The Legacy of Hope Gala was sponsored by: Columbia Bank, the Robert Collins Fund, and Wyndham Worldwide (Gold sponsors); The Christian Health Care Center (Ruby sponsor); Anne and Johne Wolfe (Emerald sponsor); and Atlantic Health System, Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Genoa Pharmaceuticals, Jack and Mary Hart, Kathleen Parker, Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Murphy McKeon, P.C., Robert L. Parker, and Robert and Sue Waldele (Friends of NewBridge sponsors).
Go to newbridge.org/donate to help NewBridge bring balance to people’s lives and strengthen communities.
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About NewBridge
NewBridge Services, a 501c(3) nonprofit, is a premier provider of counseling services, housing and educational programs in northern New Jersey. Last year alone, NewBridge served more than 7,200 children, adults and seniors. NewBridge: treats mental illnesses and addictions; teaches coping skills to schoolchildren; counsels individuals and families so they can deal with stress, grief and challenging relationships; helps children who have been abused and neglected — and their families — heal; runs a successful alternative education and career program for young adults; supports seniors so they can live as independently as possible; performs psychological first aid to communities in crisis; provides affordable homes for people with special needs; and supports people with mental illness in the community. Throughout its 56-year history, NewBridge has remained true to its mission of bringing balance to people’s lives.