Graduation Ceremony

47th Advocacy Education Course Graduation

~ AU's 10th and 11th Hispanic Courses ~

AU's 47th Advocacy Education Course Commencement Ceremony honoring the graduates of AU's 10th and 11th Hispanic Courses was held Friday, December 9, 2011 at the Hispanic Health Council in Hartford, CT.

The ceremony was orchestrated and hosted by Annette Deonarine, Director of AU's Latino Initiative. AU Executive Director Dr. Karen Kangas provided opening remarks and presented each graduate with their certificates. Grace Damio, Director of Research and Service Initiatives at Hispanic Health Council, provided welcoming remarks. Guest Speakers included Yvette Bello, LCS Executive Director; Patricia Gonzales, LCS Program Coordinator; and Tommy Arroyo, Health Educator, Hispanic Health Council.

Many family members, friends, and fellow graduates attended. It was an incredibly moving and emotional ceremony as all the graduates had overcome significant obstacles and hardships throughout their recovery journey. Through the graduates' individual speeches, the entire audience gained an understanding of the opportunity and challenge the AU Advocacy Course provided to these courageous individuals and a tremendous appreciation for what these graduates have accomplished. Each graduate was presented with a Certificate of Completion and a trophy.

66 AU courses and 47 graduations have now been held throughout Connecticut since AU was founded. Eleven of the courses have been offered in Spanish. More than 470 persons in recovery from psychiatric disabilities or co-occurring disorders have now graduated and become AU Advocates. More than 50 young adults have graduated from AU's Young Adult "Super Advocate" Program.

In addition, 296 individuals have been State Certified as Recovery Support Specialists through AU's comprehensive Recovery University program.

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Presented by

Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.

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The CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

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