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Contact: Gail Donovan
Donovan Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BROOKLYN PSYCHIATRIC CENTERS HONORED
LEADERS WITH IMAGINE AWARD
BROOKLYN, NY—April 26, 2001—Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, Inc. presented two longtime Brooklyn civic leaders, Mary Gelormino and Francesco Cantarella, and a longtime staff member, Marie Kelleher, with its Imagine award at the organization’s “2001 Friendraiser” Tuesday, April 24. More than 250 people attended the event, which was held at the Palm House, Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
“Our 2001 Friendraiser is recognizing three wonderful individuals who are making a difference in the lives of people of New York,” said Dr. Pamela Straker, executive director of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers. “The event also will help us continue to serve those who are vulnerable. Public funding and government contracts make up 90 percent of our agency’s annual income with the remaining 10 percent coming from private sector contributions, which is why the generous support for this Friendraiser is so important.”
Dr. Straker continued, “We are particularly grateful for the support of the major corporate contributors for the 2001 Friendraiser, including Fleet Bank, Global Supply, AXA Financial, Inc., CitiStorage, Inc., Fleet Investment Banking, Prudential Insurance Co. of America, and Ernst &Young.”
After the honorees accepted their awards at the event, Council Member Una Clarke, a member of the Council’s Subcommittee on Mental Health, praised the work of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers and presented Dr. Straker with a framed proclamation honoring the agency’s years of service to Brooklyn.
Ms. Gelormino, vice president of Fleet Bank, provides financial solutions for middle market companies in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Ms. Gelormino also is an adjunct associate professor for Business Management and Marketing at Long Island University. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ms. Gelormino serves as eucharistic minister for Brooklyn’s St. Anselm Parish. She is a member of the board of directors for Heartshare Human Services of New York and Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation and has served as a regional and national judge for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Program.
Ms. Gelormino’s vision and her community efforts have been widely recognized. Her acknowledgements have included a citation from Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden for exemplary commitment in nurturing the quality of life in Brooklyn. She has received honorary awards from the Boy Scouts, Inc. and the Congress of Italian Americans. She also has received certificates of appreciation from the Columbian New York City Board of Education and the East New York Development Corporation.
Mr. Cantarella was honored for his role in starting the Trickle Up Program in the United States by securing a $100,000 grant from A&S, where he worked as a senior vice president. Trickle Up has started or expanded 94,000 businesses in 117 countries since Mildred Robbins Leet and Glen Leet started it in 1979. Through a process that involves providing $100 in conditional seed capital ($700 in the U.S.) and the teaching of basic business skills, poor people are provided an opportunity to re-direct their lives toward economic growth and security. Mr. Cantarella is a board member of Trickle Up.
Mr. Cantarella, president of Corporate Social Solutions, has an extensive background as a consultant and as an executive in state, local, and federal government relations, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropy. He also is a member of the board of directors of the New York City Police Foundation. He is a member of Government Affairs Professionals, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal Club, the advisory committee of the Congress of Italian American Organizations, and a former trustee of the Board of Higher Education, City University of New York.
Mrs. Kelleher is Director of Clinical Operations for Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, a position she assumed in 1991. She is part of a management team that oversees a staff of 100 clinical and support personnel of the agency’s many programs. A licensed Psychiatric Social Worker, Mrs. Kelleher holds a Masters Degree from Fordham University School of Social Service, and has achieved a Certificate from Metropolitan Center for Psychotherapy and Manuchin Center on Family Studies. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Mrs. Kelleher maintains a private practice and is a member of the Board of Working Organization of Retarded Children and Adults.
Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, is a 94-year-old nonprofit mental health agency serving New York residents. With its programs, Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers provides more than 54,000 visits to adults, seniors, and their families annually. The agency is one of Brooklyn’s oldest mental health agencies and continues to be at the forefront of innovation in treatment.
For more information about Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, please call 718-875-5625.