Outreach News – Winter 2026

Stories and news of growth, recognition & community partnerships  

that continue to strengthen our mission and inspire hope 

 What’s New 

Highlights of upcoming programs and events shaping our future 

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, a time dedicated to supporting people considering or seeking help for substance use, the practitioners providing care, and the loved ones walking alongside them. This month also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of expanding access to effective, evidence-based treatment, including medications for substance use disorders, and reducing the stigma that too often keeps individuals from getting the support they deserve.

In this issue, we’re highlighting the innovative and evolving ways Outreach continues to strengthen substance use treatment, through compassionate care, best practices, and new programs that help more people take meaningful steps toward recovery.

44th Annual Metropolitan Luncheon Celebrates Record Attendance and Transformational Behavioral Health Programming


As we recognize Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, we’re reminded that expanding access to care and strengthening the full continuum of treatment and recovery supports, require both innovation and community partnership. That spirit was on full display at Outreach’s 44th Annual Metropolitan Luncheon, which welcomed more than 790 guests, making it one of the most successful events in the agency’s history. Held at the iconic Cipriani 42nd Street, the luncheon brought together leaders from business, labor, and philanthropy in support of Outreach’s mission to provide high-quality substance use and mental health treatment for teens, young adults, adults, and specialized populations.

A major highlight of the afternoon was the announcement of a landmark milestone: the opening of downstate New York’s first residential treatment program dedicated specifically to young adults ages 18–25. This new program represents a significant expansion of Outreach’s continuum of care and fills a long-standing gap in services for this underserved population.

The event also celebrated three distinguished New York leaders whose work continues to strengthen communities across the region:

  • Humanitarian of the Year: Michael J. Bosso, Managing Director & Head of Property Operations (Eastern Region), Brookfield Properties operated by CBRE
  • Labor Leader of the Year: Peter Myers, President, New York State Ironworkers District Council
  • Jim Berg Memorial Award Recipient: Gaston Silva, Chief Operating Officer (New York Division), Vornado Realty Trust

The Luncheon featured two moving testimonials that underscored the life-changing impact of Outreach’s programs. “Daniel,” a graduate of Outreach House II’s adolescent residential program, was introduced by his mother, Kim, who shared, “It is the proudest moment of my life to be here today.” Daniel then spoke (read his remarks below) about his journey from treatment to academic success as a senior at Aspire Academy, downstate New York’s only recovery high school, where he recently celebrated his first college acceptance.

Guests also heard the story of “Nick,” a graduate of Outreach’s Men’s Residential Program and now an employee of the NYC Department of Transportation, who reflected on how comprehensive care and continued support helped him reclaim his life and his future.

“This event was special among all the luncheons we’ve had in the past,” said Mary Brite, Chief Operating Officer of Outreach. “Our 2025 honorees were particularly devoted to the program and helped set an attendance record. More importantly, the event marked the beginning of a new era with our dedication to young adults, a population that has long been underserved in the treatment realm.”

Outreach wishes to give special thanks to the 2025 Metropolitan Luncheon Committee, led by Outreach Project Board Chair Dan Kindbergh, for their leadership and generosity.

Many thanks as well to all the 2025 Metropolitan Luncheon Sponsors, including:

Luncheon Underwriters: Building Contractors Association; New York City District Council of Carpenters Charity and Relief Fund
Reception Sponsor: Collins Building Services Inc.
Diamond Sponsors: Benjamin Maintenance; Brookfield Properties; Tulla Contracting Corp
Platinum Sponsors: ABM Industries Incorporated; Citiline Restoration; Glenwood Management; IUOE Local 14-14B; IUOE Local 94-94A-94B; SMP Supply Corp.; Vornado Realty Trust
Gold Sponsors: Allied; Anthem BlueCross BlueShield; IUOE Local 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15H; Maven Construction Corp.; Metallic Lathers & Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 46; New York State Iron Workers District Council; Platinum Inc.; Proskauer; Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc.; Rudin; Sacks & Sacks, LLP.; Stone Derrickmen & Riggers Union Local 197 IW; Turner Construction Co.; Upgrade Services; Wager Contracting Co., Inc.
Silver Sponsors: The Hallen Construction Co. Inc.
Bronze Sponsors: Allied Building Metal Industries, Inc.; Chasin Group; Donnelly Mechanical Group / Unity Electric; Excavators Union Local 731; General Contractors Association of NY; Goldman Copeland Associates; Harvard Maintenance Inc; International Union of BAC Local 7 of NY & NJ; Iron Workers Local 40; JRM Construction Management, LLC; Nouveau Elevator Industries Inc.; Paramount Group; Pitta LLP; Real Estate Board of New York; SEIU Local 32BJ; Silverstein Properties; Structure Tone LLC; Summit Construction; TD Bank; TEI Group; United Elevator Consulting Co., Inc.; Waste Harmonics Keter
Adolescent Table Sponsors: Durst Organization; Evergreen Mechanical Corp.
Honoree Award Sponsors: AETNA Inc.; Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc.; Tri-Star Construction Corp.
Photography Sponsors: Hatzel & Buehler Inc.; Tri-State Dismantling Corp.
Frontline Worker Heroes: Iron Workers Local 361; JDP Mechanical
Programs Supporter: Gallagher Bassett Service

Remarks from Outreach House 2 Graduate: Daniel

  

Good morning or good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today and to share my story. It means a lot to me to stand here, not just as a young person in recovery, but as someone whose life has been shaped and strengthened by Outreach. It’s programs, it’s incredible staff. I’m here because of my hard work. Also, because of my mother, my family, and the support system that refused to give up on me, even when I didn’t yet know how to fight for myself.

My name is Daniel, a 17-year-old high school senior. I can say with confidence that who I am today is tied to where I’ve come from and what I’ve lived through. The challenges I’ve overcome shaped me. Outreach has been a large part of that journey. In many ways, my childhood was pretty average. I loved school. I loved my friends, I played sports and joined activities that made my life human, despite the parts that weren’t. When I was four, my father’s substance use led to my parents’ divorce. I’ve been raised by a single mother ever since. The painful experiences around my father’s addiction created trauma that my mother and I are still reckoning with today.

When I was seven, my mom noticed that I had trouble focusing. By nine, I had been officially diagnosed with ADHD. The diagnosis brought new challenges. But with medication and support, I adjusted to my new normal. I did well in school and stayed involved in activities until life changed again.

In sixth grade, Covid hit. Middle school was tough for everyone during Covid, but for me the shift to virtual school was especially hard. I lost the structure and support I relied on to manage my ADHD. Routines disappeared and the trauma surrounding my father became harder and harder. I know now I started using substances because I didn’t have the skills to cope with everything I was feeling.

My substance use affected everything. My academic performance, my personality, and my relationships. My mom saw the changes immediately and fought hard to get me the help I needed. Even when I pushed her away, for two years she kept trying. Eventually, I entered treatment; first through Outreach Outpatient. But I continued to get high. I was admitted to Outreach House II in May of 2023 with the threat of probation hanging over my head. Being in (residential) treatment changed my life but not overnight. I had to learn how trauma shaped my thoughts, my emotions, and my decisions. I had to confront feelings I had avoided for years.

Slowly, I began to imagine a different kind of future for myself. In high school, I had to do that work while also unlearning survival habits that were hurtful. Outreach gave me the tools to do both. When I left Outreach House II, my life still didn’t look like everyone else. I enrolled at Aspire Academy, the Recovery High School, which taught me about storytelling, whether it’s writing, movies, or creating something that makes people feel seen. So, in the summer of 2025, I enrolled in a Summer Scholars Program, where I took classes in film and media production. The program changed everything and showed me I could turn something I loved into something real. Just last month, I completed my college applications to pursue film media. Yesterday, I got accepted to a college. A year and a half ago, I wasn’t even sure college was in my future. Now I’m applying to study something that genuinely feels like a part of who I am.

Throughout all this, Outreach has continued to support me. I remain in Outpatient, which I’m going to later, by the way. Aspire Academy is still a place where I feel understood and supported.

Outreach’s commitment to young people goes far beyond the programs I’ve been in. When I was in Outreach House II, their new Young Adult Residence for ages 18-25 was under construction. I remember hearing staff talk about it and seeing how excited they were to build something specifically for young adults. Even then, while I was still in treatment, it meant a lot to know that they were thinking about our futures. Now that the program is open, I feel two things: first, I hope I never need that level of support again and, second, I feel comfort in knowing that if life ever takes a turn, Outreach already has created a place where people my age can continue to recover safely, surrounded by people who understand and believe in us. Seeing Outreach continue to grow, anticipating what young people need before we even know we need it, makes the future feel less scary. It makes me feel supported in a way that is hard to explain.

I’m grateful for the tools Outreach gave me, for every staff member who refused to give up on me, and for donors, like all of you, who make programs like this possible. You don’t just fund services. You give people like me the chance to start again and to imagine a life beyond our trauma. As I wait to hear back from the colleges I applied to, I feel excited, nervous, hopeful, and ready. Ready because of the work I’ve put in, ready because of my family, and ready because Outreach taught me that even when life gets hard, there will always be help. Always support. Always a path forward.

Thank you for listening to my story. Thank you for supporting Outreach because your support truly changes lives. I’m standing here today as proof of that.

Young Adult Residence: A Tour and New Leadership

We’re proud about this exciting new milestone in Outreach’s continuum of care: the opening of downstate New York’s first residential substance use treatment program dedicated specifically to young adults ages 18–25. To get a closer look inside the facility and see how Outreach will be meeting young adults where they are with specialized, comprehensive support check out this video.

Leading this important new program is Emily Murray, LMSW, Program Director of the Young Adult Residence. Emily joined Outreach in July 2025 as Assistant Program Director of Outreach House II’s adolescent residential program and was soon promoted to help launch and lead the Young Adult Residence, overseeing both rehabilitation and reintegration services. She brings nearly a decade of experience across residential treatment, child welfare, crisis response, and outpatient clinical settings, and her clinical approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based practice.

To learn more, please visit the program’s webpage at opiny.org/sites/young-adult-residence

Outreach in the News 

Celebrating recognition and milestones in our community and beyond  

Outreach Receives Award to Open New Program in Nassau County

Outreach is proud to announce new funding support from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) that will help expand access to integrated substance use treatment services in Nassau County. In 2026, Outreach plans to open a new Comprehensive Integrated Outpatient Treatment Program (COP) in Nassau County at the agency’s REACT Center Outpatient Clinic in Roosevelt, NY. This will be Outreach’s second COP. The agency’s first Comprehensive Integrated Outpatient Treatment Program opened in Suffolk County at the Outreach Recovery Center in Brentwood.

Comprehensive Integrated Outpatient Treatment Programs are designed to make it easier for individuals to access multiple addiction-related services in one location, combining an outpatient treatment program with an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) at the same site. Services may include counseling, education, referrals, and medication for opioid use disorder. To support the development and operation of the Nassau County program, OASAS is contributing $760,000 from the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund.

This initiative is part of OASAS’s broader efforts to expand integrated treatment programs across New York State, helping New Yorkers access coordinated care, including medication assisted treatment, alongside other addiction and healthcare services. OASAS has provided more than $17.7 million to support the development of 43 integrated programs statewide, including more than $14.3 million in funding through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund.

Outreach Training Institute (OTI) Welcomes New Senior Trainer

Outreach is proud to welcome Dr. Shameika Williams as the new Senior Trainer at the Outreach Training Institute (OTI). As Outreach continues to strengthen and expand access to high-quality substance use and mental health services, OTI plays a vital role in advancing our mission by equipping the workforce with the knowledge, tools, and best practices that support better outcomes for individuals and communities.

Dr. Williams is an accomplished trainer and public health professional with expertise in instructional design, evidence-based training, and community-centered practice. She has previously served as a trainer for the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and taught at LIU Post, LaGuardia Community College, and York College. She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Health Education and a Master of Public Health, and will support teaching, curriculum development, and admissions for OTI while leading professional development courses through Outreach University.

Celebrating Longevity at Outreach

Earlier this month at Outreach’s holiday party, we were proud to recognize team members celebrating milestone years of service with the agency. These Longevity Awards honor staff who have dedicated 5, 10, 15, 20, and up to 25 years to Outreach’s mission—supporting individuals and families through compassionate, high-quality substance use and mental health treatment. We are deeply grateful for their commitment, professionalism, and the impact they make every day.

25 Years:

David Vizzini, Chief Administrative Officer 

20 Years:

Marsha Radulov, Director of Special Events & Fundraising
David Youngblood, Recreation Counselor, Outreach House I

15 Years:

Paul Hoyle, Maintenance Worker, Bellport Outpatient Services

10 years: 

Sorany Acosta, Residential Nursing Supervisor, Outreach House II
Danielle Murphy,  Intake Coordinator, Outreach House II
Donna Bornfriend, Program Director, Suffolk Avenue Outpatient Services
Rachael Witkowski, DWI Counselor, Bellport Outpatient Services
Edward Hernandez, Counselor, Richmond Hill CCBHC 

5 Years:

Benjamin Fitzgerald, Porter, REACT Center
Diana Rosana Brathwaite, Coordinator, REACT Center
Marshee Monique Barclift, Office Manager, REACT Center
Laurie Ann Jackson, Primary Counselor, REACT Center
Juana Anneris Maria, Primary Counselor, REACT Center
Ana Victoria Harris, Peer Counselor, REACT Center
Sarah I. Newhouse, Porter, Bellport Outpatient Services
Antonio Lauradin, Over Night Counselor, Men’s Community Residence
Bernadette Acosta Singh, Peer Mentor, Outreach Recovery Center
Karla Celeste Tovar, Assistant IT Director
Alexis Attardi, Community Support Specialist, Outreach House II
Nikki Beirne, Adolescent Counselor, Bellport Outpatient Services
Edward Bellamy, Case Manager, Outreach Recovery Center
Asha Vereen, Director of Payroll
Kathleen O’Neill, Clinical Supervisor, Outreach House I
Maria McLean, Administrative Assistant, Outreach House I

Partner Spotlight 

Celebrating the organizations and allies walking this journey with us 

New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., Senate District 15

Outreach is grateful for the continued partnership and support of Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., who represents the community served by our Richmond Hill Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Through his efforts to secure a grant for the clinic, we will be able to complete critical improvements that enhance safety and accessibility for everyone who visits. This project will allow us to renovate the CCBHC’s parking lot, install new fencing, and replace the adjoining sidewalk, creating a more welcoming, functional, and fully accessible entrance for clients and staff alike.

InUnity Alliance

Outreach is proud to be a member of InUnity Alliance, a statewide coalition dedicated to strengthening substance use disorder and mental health services throughout New York State. In today’s rapidly evolving political and policy landscape, InUnity Alliance has been an invaluable partner, keeping Outreach and its other member organizations informed, engaged, and connected through timely updates, advocacy efforts, and opportunities to elevate the voice of providers in the field. Their leadership and resources help ensure our staff and agency leaders stay current on the issues impacting treatment, workforce, and access to care, so we can continue delivering high-quality services to the communities we serve. 

What We Are Reading 

Insights and reports shaping the conversation around health and recovery  

At Outreach, we know that staying informed is part of supporting the health and wellbeing of the young people and families we serve. Each of these highly readable, timely resources connects directly to the challenges we address every day and offers insights that can guide families, providers, and advocates alike: 

Make a Difference: Join Our Team!  

Exciting – High Energy – Rewarding 

At Outreach, you’ll discover more than just a job — you’ll join a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. We offer an excellent benefits package, generous vacation time to help you recharge, and abundant opportunities for professional development and growth. Most importantly, your work directly supports individuals and families in our community as they build healthier, more stable lives. 

If you’re seeking a workplace where you can advance your career while contributing to something truly impactful, Outreach is the place to be. 

Below, hear firsthand from our staff about why they love being a part of the Outreach team. 

 

To learn more about the exciting professional opportunities available at Outreach, visit our Careers Center webpage today! 

Get Involved 

At the heart of everything we do is a shared belief: building healthy lives builds stronger communities. None of our work would be possible without the incredible support of people like you. Your involvement fuels our mission, expands our reach, and helps us create lasting change for individuals and families in need.  

Take the Next Step 

 

Whether you give your time, share your resources, or walk alongside us in service, you are an essential part of this journey. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us build healthier, brighter futures together.