This year marked the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Institute for Community Living, a leader in providing rehabilitation and recovery services to thousands of New Yorkers who have psychiatric, intellectual and/or development disabilities. On May 11th, they celebrated their milestone anniversary with a gala, Giving Voice to Independence: Celebrating 25 Years of Community Living, at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park located in lower Manhattan. The celebration also coincided with the national recognition that May is
Mental Health Month.

The evening featured actress and activist Patty Duke as the keynote speaker and WNBC Anchor and Reporter DeMarco Morgan served as Emcee. Honorees included: ICL Public Service Honoree Darryl C. Towns, newly appointed Commissioner/CEO, NYS Homes & Community Renewal; ICL Beacon of Hope Honoree Brenda N., one of ICL’s long-time consumers and ICL Corporate Achievement Honoree JP Morgan Chase.