2026 Annual Community Awards & Fundraiser

Be part of an inspiring afternoon on Thursday, May 7th from 3:00–5:00 PM at Heritage Hall, Harding Mazzotti Arena, as we celebrate Mental Health Month at our Annual Community Awards & Fundraiser.

Our Annual Community Awards & Fundraiser celebrates changemakers in mental health and in our communities while helping us raise funds to help sustain ASCEND’s programs and services. This year, we’re issuing a bold call to action and encouraging you to be part of the movement to raise awareness, strengthen advocacy, and champion youth mental health and wellness.

We are excited to welcome a featured speaker -soon to be announced- whose connection to mental health and wellness will inspire and resonate with everyone.

We will honor our award recipients for the Dorothea Dix Community Service Award, and for the Walter P. Reichert Award, and Amy Carpenter Scholarship Award.
Dorothea Dix Community Service Award - TBA

The Dorothea Dix Community Service Award was established in 2001 to recognize an individual or organization not part of the mental health system, but whose efforts have contributed to improving mental health in our community. Ms. Dix lived in the mid-19th century and almost single-handedly influenced reforms that drastically changed the cruel “treatment” of the “insane” during this time.

Walter P. Reichert Award - TBA

The Walter P. Reichert Award was established in 1986 and named after the first Board President of the “Glens Falls Mental Hygiene Association,” now ASCEND Mental Wellness. This award formally recognizes an individual, group or agency within the local mental health community that has significantly contributed to the promotion, development and/or betterment of mental health within Warren and Washington counties.

Amy Carpenter Scholarsip Award - TBA

The Amy Carpenter Scholarship Award, established in 1989 in honor of a residential counselor at ASCEND Mental Wellness, full tuition is awarded annually to a second-year student enrolled in community mental health, criminal justice, or nursing at SUNY Adirondack/Adirondack Community College.

Light Refreshments will be served
Thank you to our Annual Sponsors:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Capital Region NY Chapter

Fidelis Care

MMB + Co.

Heritage Hall Location:

Upon entering the building, you will go into the lobby and take a left to follow the stairs down to Heritage Hall. For the elevator, you will go inside the rink and head to the left to take the elevator down if needed.

Parking for the arena:Parking for the Cool Insuring Arena is available at many nearby sites. General public parking can be found in several lots behind the arena on Oakland Avenue, down Mohican Street; and in many downtown city lots.For those with Handicapped Parking licenses or permits, parking is available directly in front of the building.

We hope you will kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with us to help us continue our mission of fostering mental health awareness, accessibility, and advocacy. Let's change the narrative about Mental Health and Wellness together!

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