CHICAGO – Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy highlighted the importance of equal rights and access to care for people seeking substance use and mental health treatment as the keynote speaker at the 2016 Rosecrance Foundation Chicago Benefit.
The second annual event took place Wednesday, October 19, at the landmark JW Marriott hotel in downtown Chicago. An audience of more than 200 people enjoyed lunch and Kennedy’s presentation, which covered his national efforts to end medical and societal discrimination against addiction and mental illness through passage of parity laws and his current work through such organizations as The Kennedy Forum.
Proceeds from the benefit will support young adults in recovery at Rosecrance Lakeview, a unique combination of outpatient counseling center and recovery residence that opened in July at Ashland and Waveland avenues in Chicago. Kennedy commended Rosecrance, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, for its long history of changing and saving lives.
“Rosecrance is at the forefront of providing treatment for mental illness and addiction, and we need more of these services,” Kennedy said. “We have a public health epidemic across the country, and it’s really exacerbated by the fact that there is very little access to these services. Rosecrance is always fighting the good fight to provide more recovery-supporting opportunities like housing, peer support, medical treatment – the whole coverage for the whole person. That’s the nature of what we want.”
Kennedy was introduced on stage by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who told the crowd that she admires Rosecrance’s work at more than 50 sites in Chicago, Wisconsin, Iowa and elsewhere in Illinois. Rosecrance President/CEO Phil Eaton updated audience members about efforts to build a culture of recovery in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.
“We opened the doors to Rosecrance Lakeview in July, and we are encouraged by the response in just this short period of time,” Eaton said. “The structured support provided at Lakeview is especially crucial to young adults in recovery.”
Benefit attendees also learned that thanks to the help of many generous donors, Rosecrance successfully completed its $1 million fundraising campaign to support construction of the Lakeview site. John J. McDonough, Chair of the Rosecrance Foundation Chicago Board of Directors, delivered the good news.
“The care that Rosecrance provides is truly a gift – the gift of recovery and a future full of hope. Thank you for helping us make that possible for more people each year,” McDonough told the crowd.
Visit rosecrance.org/lakeview to learn more about Rosecrance Lakeview, including the Launch to Life program, which specializes in serving young adults. Call 773-975-4047 to schedule a free, confidential assessment.