A Special Thank You...
AU would like to thank everyone who participated and helped with our 7th Annual Leadership Conference held Sept. 9th. You helped make this year's event the best ever!!
The event was brought to you by a team effort. Everyone had new ideas and we were able to incorporate many in order to bring this successful event to you. Additionally, AU was able to bring to you a small production/presentation by Bobby and Leslie Woods--a portrait and humble experience, of the people that have and continue to touch our lives.
We hope you enjoyed the conference and we look forward to bringing another successful event next year!
Patricia Guerard Wins the 2004 Dr. Karen Kangas Award
The following are excerpts from nominations submitted on behalf of Pat...
She is a person who has given 200% to people, whether they are people in recovery, co-workers, council members...In 1999, when I first met Pat she welcomed me to the work world of mental health and introduced me to the "important" people. However, I noted she treated the peers (People in Recovery) as the important folks and always had the time to give a person a ride home, listed to an anxious concern or direct a person where to go for help (she used to joke that a good Patient Advocate would tell your where to go). She has a calming humorous demeanor which is very positive to be around and I imagine quite valuable in her work. She embodies the spirit of advocacy, compassion and energy which Dr. Karen Kangas is known for. -Submitted by Phoebe Hamilton
Pat always returns calls when you call her she listens to you and tells you what your options are. She is honest and has a sincere love for those whom she works for, she doesn't have a superior attitude, she makes you feel like she's just like you. She is loving and considerate. -Submitted by Carol Raymond
Other Nominees
Dr. Mark Lucyk, William Falsey, James Cronin, Gary Grabko, Rebecca Smalls, Arlene Diaz, Karen Gill, Marc Jacques, Nick DeBari. For the first time in AU history, several Warmlines groups were nominated, Common Thread Warmline, Common Ground Warmline and Capitol Region Warmline.