Arlington Youth Counseling Center

*Media Advisory* Arlington Youth Counseling Center to Honor Chief Frederick Ryan at 8th Annual Gala

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Retained by the Town of Arlington Health and Human Services Department

Town of Arlington
Department of Health and Human Services
Christine Bongiorno, Director
27 Maple St.
Arlington, MA 02476

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

*Media Advisory*

Arlington Youth Counseling Center to Honor Chief Frederick Ryan at 8th Annual Gala

ARLINGTON — The 8th annual AYCC Gala will be held at Arlington Town Hall later this month. This year the Gala honoree will be Arlington Police Chief, Fred Ryan, who has been a pioneer in community collaboration to address issues around mental health and substance abuse.  

WHEN:

Friday, Oct. 26, from 7-11 p.m.

WHERE: 

Arlington Town Hall

WHAT:

Chief Ryan has been recognized locally and nationally as a leader in innovative approaches to law enforcement’s role in responding to the opioid epidemic, and AYCC will honor him for his contributions to the fight against addiction.

Over the past several years, there has been a significant increase in reported anxiety in children and adolescents nationwide.  AYCC has seen a parallel increase in referrals from parents, teachers and from students themselves looking for help with symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.  

The Arlington community is fortunate to have a local facility that is easily accessible and where licensed mental health clinicians are familiar with the local schools and social services.  AYCC also provides affordable psychiatric services for children who would not otherwise have access to these critical services.

The annual AYCC Gala raises funds to support the mental health services offered at AYCC, including free and reduced fee services for clients with limited or no insurance coverage. Proceeds from the Gala also help to fund other critical programs and activities that are not typically reimbursed by insurance, including groups for survivors of domestic violence, community resource services for residents in need and underfunded psychiatric services.   

In addition to raising funds, the evening is an opportunity to socialize with other community members, bid on fabulous silent auction items, taste a wide array of hors d’oeuvres, enjoy music by the Arlington High School Jazz Band, and honor Chief Ryan.  

Tickets are available online at https://www.ayccma.org/gala/. 

About AYCC: 

Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC) is a licensed community mental health center specifically dedicated to Arlington youth and their families.  It is the leading provider of outpatient and school-based child and adolescent mental health services in town. AYCC provides services to over 350 Arlington children and their families each year, regardless of their ability to pay.

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Arlington Youth Counseling Center to Honor Dr. Michael Thompson at 7th Annual Gala

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Retained by the Town of Arlington Health and Human Services Department

Town of Arlington
Department of Health and Human Services
Christine Bongiorno, Director
27 Maple St.
Arlington, MA 02476

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Arlington Youth Counseling Center to Honor Dr. Michael Thompson at 7th Annual Gala

Dr. Michael Thompson will be honored at the 7th Annual Out on the Town Gala next month. (Courtesy Photo)
Dr. Michael Thompson will be honored at the 7th Annual Out on the Town Gala next month. (Courtesy Photo)

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce that the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC) and Board of Youth Services (BYS) will honor Dr. Michael Thompson at the 7th Annual Out on the Town Gala.

Dr. Thompson, an Arlington resident and renowned child psychologist and best-selling author, will be honored for his work with Arlington and its residents. The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 3 from 7-11 p.m. at Arlington Town Hall.

“Michael has been so generous with the community,” said Carlene Newell, longtime BYS member and Arlington Public Schools health educator. “His appearance at our parent forums is always a highlight, drawing standing-room-only crowds whenever he speaks.”

From illuminating insights on the emotional lives of boys and the impact of summer camp on adolescent development to giving advice on managing the pressures of high school and navigating parent-teacher relationships, Dr. Thompson has been a trusted source of guidance for parents and school administrators worldwide.

“We are delighted to be recognizing Michael Thompson and his contribution to the field,” said Justine Bloch, Gala Chair and Co-chair of the BYS. “And, as one of Arlington’s own, it is especially wonderful to honor him at this event.”

“Much of AYCC’s work supporting children and youth is also about supporting the adults in their lives. Dr. Thompson’s research and insights are such an important part of that,” added Colleen Leger, Director of AYCC. “It is one of many reasons why we selected him as this year’s honoree.”

Each year, the Out on the Town Gala brings hundreds of community members together to support the work of AYCC, promote the value of community mental health, and celebrate the year’s accomplishments. In addition to remarks from Dr. Thompson, the gala will feature raffles, a silent auction, live music by members of the Arlington High School Jazz band, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

“Every year the gala is an incredible event, where the entire Arlington community comes together in support of AYCC, which is such an important resource for local families,” said Christine Bongiorno, Director of Health and Human Services in Arlington. “Funds raised through the gala ensure that every child who needs our help receives it, regardless of the family’s financial circumstances.”

Through donations and support from the community, AYCC has transformed from an entirely town-supported agency to a thriving mental health center supported by town funding, health insurance reimbursement, grants and private donations.

Over the past year alone, AYCC provided more than 5,500 counseling and psychiatric sessions to more than 350 youth and families, regardless of their ability to pay. This is due to the funds that are raised through the gala, grants and other events.

Lead sponsors for this year’s gala include:

  • Gold Sponsors: East Cambridge Savings Bank and The Sanborn Foundation
  • Silver Sponsors: Watertown Savings Bank, Bowes Real Estate and Whole Foods Market
  • Bronze Sponsors: Cambridge Savings Bank, McLean Hospital, Mount Auburn Hospital, Ottoson Parent Advisory Council (OPAC), Lalicata Landscape Products and Jacqui’s Design Group.

Gala tickets can be purchased here for $75, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, visit AYCC’s website or contact AYCC’s Executive Director Colleen Leger at 781-316-3255.

About the Arlington Youth Counseling Center:

The Arlington Youth Counseling Center is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services, and for more than 45 years, has provided counseling services to local children and youth from ages 3-21. As one of the only remaining mental health facilities dedicated to the treatment of community youth and families, and one of the only providers in the area that accepts youth with public insurance, AYCC serves as a beacon of hope for hundreds of Arlington families.

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Arlington Police Department Hosts Successful Medication-Assisted Treatment Meeting This Week

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Arlington Seal

Arlington Police Department
Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: [email protected]

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Arlington Police Host Successful Vivitrol Meeting This Week

More Than 60 Residents in Attendance

ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan is pleased to announce that the Arlington Police Department hosted a successful Addiction Community Training and Support (A.C.T.S.) meeting about Vivitrol at the Arlington Youth Counseling Center yesterday.

More than 60 community members were in attendance for the event, which provided support, information and strategies for opioid users and their loved ones.

Guest speaker Katherine Gorham, a board-certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Mental Health Counselor from Square Medical Group of Watertown spoke about Vivitrol, the first and only non-addictive and non-narcotic medication proven to prevent relapse following detoxification.

Additionally, Captain Richard Flynn of the Arlington Police Department and Rebecca Wolfe, the Arlington Police Department’s Clinician, trained a room full of attendees on how to use the life-saving overdose reversal drug, Narcan. The department provided nine Narcan kits to citizens who have loved ones struggling with addiction.

“I am so pleased with the turnout we had for this meeting and I hope we can continue to educate the public and provide vital resources like Narcan at more training events in the future,” Chief Ryan said. “We have a long way to go in combating the disease of addiction, but seeing the community come together to learn about this important resource gives me hope that we can make a difference and save lives.”

A.C.T.S. is a major component of The Arlington Outreach Initiative, which is a plan of action inspired by the Gloucester Police Department ANGEL Initiative, created by Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello. In addition to providing education and support, Arlington’s Outreach Initiative aims to help addicts and their families, friends and caregivers by making them aware of available treatment options and resources.

For more information about A.C.T.S. or The Arlington Outreach Initiative, visit the Arlington Police Department’s website.

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*Media Advisory* Arlington to Host Community Forum on Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness

⋅ City/Town News, Client News ⋅ , , , , , , , , , , ⋅ 2 Comments

Retained by the Town of Arlington Health and Human Services Department

Town of Arlington
Department of Health and Human Services
Christine Bongiorno, Director
27 Maple St.
Arlington, MA 02476

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Contact: Christine Bongiorno
Phone: 781-316-3170
Email: [email protected]

*Media Advisory* Arlington to Host Community Forum on Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Youth Health & Safety Coalition, along with Arlington Public Schools and the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC), announces that they will host a community forum on suicide prevention and depression awareness this month.

The “Mental Health Awareness Night” event will feature a special screening of the documentary film, “You Are Not Alone,” followed by a panel discussion about the relation between mental health problems and the opioid epidemic.

WHEN:

Thursday, Jan. 28 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Lowe Auditorium, Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Ave.

WHAT:

The theme for this forum is “Mental Health Awareness,” featuring a panel moderated by Stephanie Leydon, a WGBH reporter most recently known for her coverage of the opioid crisis and mental health issues in the Greater Boston area.

Forum participants will learn how they can support their family members and about the lifesaving suicide prevention work provided by Samaritans, Inc., including stories from those who have lost a loved one to suicide, and testimonials from Samaritans’ volunteers and experts.

“Depression and anxiety run rampant in teenagers nationally, and Arlington is no different,” said Andrea Razi, Arlington High School’s Intervention Coordinator and Social Worker. “We try to reach as many students as we can in the schools every day through programs about substance abuse, depression, anxiety and suicide prevention which have all helped to bring these important issues to light.”

In the most recent Arlington school survey, 11 percent of high school students and 15 percent of middle school students reported serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days.

“Substance abuse and mental health are so closely related, the two go hand-in-hand,” said Ivy Laplante, Director of the Arlington Youth Health & Safety Coalition. “In order for our work in substance abuse prevention to be fruitful, we must also place an emphasis on mental health promotion.”

During the weeks leading up to the event, Arlington High School students will discuss depression, suicide awareness and prevention from a Samaritans educator.

WHO:

  • Moderator Stephanie Leydon, reporter for WGBH
  • Lauren Gablinske, Manager, Community Education and Outreach – ‎Samaritans Inc.
  • Andrea Razi, LICSW, Intervention Coordinator/Social Worker – Arlington High School
  • Nanci Siegel, Ottoson Middle School Guidance Counselor
  • Linda Suzuki, LICSW, Therapist – Arlington Youth Counseling Center

For more information about the event, contact Andrea Razi at [email protected].

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