The Care Plus Foundation, Inc. (“CarePlus Foundation”) will hold its 18th Annual Courage Awards Gala on June 8th, 2016 at the Venetian in Garfield to benefit the clients and programs of Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus”). The event is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year and is designed to celebrate those who work tirelessly to advocate for mental health.
CarePlus is a local non-profit mental health organization that provides services to individuals and families throughout Northern New Jersey. The continuum of care includes crisis response, outpatient programs, substance abuse services, a full spectrum of children and family services, and many more programs that help with prevention, wellness and recovery through behavioral health care.
This year’s honorees include Leonard Marshall Jr, former NFL defensive lineman and advocate for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy; Ron Weaver, longtime supporter of CarePlus; and Thomas Rosamilia, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at Bergen Regional Medical Center. The CarePlus Foundation will also present the Compassionate Care Award to Dr. John Bostrom for his work that represents the best care in the field of mental health.
“The Courage Awards capture the spirit of care and compassion that CarePlus has been built upon,” said Tara Augustine, Senior Vice President at CarePlus. “Everyone works so hard to overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes. This event not only celebrates CarePlus, local advocates, and supporters, but also recognizes the efforts and successes of the individuals that benefit from our services.”
Every year a portion of the evening is dedicated to individuals enrolled in CarePlus services that are pursuing their educational goals. In 2015 the CarePlus Foundation awarded $55,000 in scholarships to support these efforts. The remainder of the funding that is raised through the Courage Awards Gala is used for housing and medication assistance, as well as to fund addiction services, outpatient therapy for children and adults, child abuse intervention and much more.
“This year we are embracing the theme of ‘The Power to Change a Lifetime’ to highlight the significant role that CarePlus has played in so many lives,” continued Augustine. “We believe in working with the people that we serve so that they take an active part in their healthcare. We help to empower these individuals and families so that they can achieve and sustain wellness on many levels.”
The Courage Awards Gala includes a cocktail hour, dinner, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and more. Attendees are expected from across the state, including local community partners, state representatives and supporters from the Northern New Jersey business community. Individual tickets are available at $175 each, with full tables of 10 offered for $1,500.
The CarePlus Foundation is currently welcoming dinner guests, sponsors, and auction donations. For more information, call 201-986-5070.
CarePlus NJ, INC. is dedicated to excellence in mental healthcare and has a commitment to life-long support needed by individuals and their families to ensure that they achieve their full potential and improve the quality of their lives.
