For Immediate Release
Contact: Leanne Ricchiuti, Headline Media for Association for Community Living, 518.222.8073
October 11, 2024
MEDIA ADVISORY
Local & State Human Services Agencies Hosting ‘Candidates Night’ Ahead of Elections
Organizations Looking to Hear what Candidates Have to Say about Mental Health Housing and Support Systems
(Albany, N.Y.) – Five local and state organizations are hosting a Candidates Night to learn more about how they will work with the organizations to further support mental health housing and other supportive programs. Hosted by the Association for Community Living (ACL), Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS), Mohawk Opportunities, Inc., Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc. (RSS), and Unity House of Troy, Inc., the event will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 beginning at 5:30 p.m., at The Desmond Hotel in Albany.
This is the first time the event has been planned since 2018, due to COVID, but was held every other year before then. This year’s event is held in honor of Joe Lemmond who passed away in 2020. Lemmond was a fierce advocate for housing and mental health. Candidates Night was his idea many years ago, so it is only fitting that this first occurrence since the pandemic be held in his honor.
This event will provide an important opportunity for staff of local mental health housing providers and other area stakeholders to hear directly from candidates about their plans to address the urgent need to support mental health housing, resources for individuals with mental health needs, and initiatives for other supportive programs. New York State faces a growing need for accessible mental health housing and supportive services, and addressing these needs requires active support from policymakers. This Candidates Night aims to spotlight the importance of mental health and housing initiatives in local communities and to encourage candidates to address these pressing issues in their policy platforms.
WHO: Congressman Paul D. Tonko, District 20, running for re-election
Senator Jacob Ashby, District 43, running for re-election
Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, District 109, running for Senate District 46
Assemblymember John T. McDonald, III, District 108, running for re-election
Assemblymember Phil Steck, District 110, running for re-election
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, District 113, running for re-election Theodore Danz, Jr., running for Senate District 46
Alicia Purdy, running for Assembly District 109
Representatives of ACL, MHANYS, Mohawk Opportunities, RSS, & Unity House
WHAT: Candidates Night event, encouraging discussion about mental health housing
and supportive services
WHERE: The Crowne Plaza – Desmond Hotel
660 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211
WHEN: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner is at 5:00 p.m., with remarks scheduled at 6:15 p.m.
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