| Dear Friends,
Toni Lasicki has informed the ACL Board of Directors of her decision to retire in July of 2020. It has been nineteen years since Toni first brought her leadership, advocacy skills, depth of knowledge, and deep commitment to housing for people with serious psychiatric disabilities to ACL. She has succeeded in building a highly successful advocacy organization for behavioral health housing in New York State. Her efforts, the work of her outstanding professional staff, along with ACL’s ongoing collaboration with the State Office of Mental Health has created an expectation that the development and ongoing support of the finest housing resources in the world for persons challenged with mental health issues should be a priority for the state. Toni has been tireless in her advocacy for our most vulnerable citizens and their right to a safe, secure and supportive place to live in our communities. During her tenure Toni has ensured ACL’s voice in the state budget decision making process, while creating a respected professional partnership with the Office of Mental Health, other state agencies and LGU leadership. She has been fierce in advocacy that is anchored in irrefutable facts. Toni has made ACL a formidable force in Albany while providing sterling service, advice and support to its membership. She and her staff are always there whenever any member needs to address a challenge with funders, seek support in serving persons with significant needs or simply find a sympathetic ear. We are fortunate to have had the gift of Toni’s stewardship. Toni’s legacy is manifold, but the excellent staff she leaves in place is the foundation of our future success, and, a guarantee that our advocacy will continue unabated and that the Annual Conference and May Symposium will continue to be highlights of each of our working years. We look forward to continue to partner with Toni in the coming months! We know you will join us in wishing Toni a wonderful retirement come July and many years of peace and happiness. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Sagamore! Sincerely, ACL President John J. Warren and the ACL Board of Directors |
