2024 Impact Without Barriers
Meeting People Where They Are.
Innovative care that empowers individuals and strengthens communities
Navigate our report
Our linked table of contents allows you to quickly navigate to different sections of the page.
Simply click on any section title in the table of contents, and you’ll be taken directly to that part of the page.
Letter from our CEO
Making the case for convenience
When thinking about the people we support and the services we provide, there is a creative tension that arises in the debate between quality and convenience. Both are important, but does one matter more over the other?
As anyone working in healthcare will attest, aspiring to high-quality care is both a profession and a passion. Whether we are in a direct care or supporting role, quality of care is the common denominator that unites us all in the mission to improve lives.
Our commitment to quality, and its foundational influence in healthcare is not in dispute. That said, is it enough to settle there? That question was the root of the challenge we gave ourselves, and the inspiration for Citizen Advocates’ first behavioral health urgent care center.
Why? We know that a mental health or substance use crisis rarely happens during normal business hours. The solution was to create an immediate access point for individuals in need of high-quality services any time of day, no appointment needed.
What started as one, has become three behavioral health urgent care centers serving as hubs in three Northern New York counties.
We are providing quality care. For someone who can’t afford to wait or wade through the tangle of red tape, convenience through access is the primary measure of success!
The behavioral health urgent care centers were just the beginning. In 2024, we celebrated the opening of Harison Place, providing affordable, high-quality housing in the heart of a community where tenants have convenient access to services that promote individual health. This includes an outpatient addiction treatment clinic operated by one of our affiliated providers, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers. Again, this is being there for people where they are by providing convenient access.
Convenience is being there for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can excel in Special Olympics competitions or organize an annual fundraiser for an important personal cause. It also means giving back to the community through the Fieldstone Foundation by promoting causes that address food insecurity and filling other gaps in the safety net for vulnerable populations.
Whether it is a mental health crisis, a need for housing and hot meal, or career training, the window to help people in need is small. By having the right tools and removing the barriers preventing the right services at the right time, we open the door wide to an entire range of additional options and lasting solutions.
In the end, we don’t believe there needs to be a binary choice between quality and convenience. By being there for someone, when they’re at their most vulnerable or there’s no place else to turn, we are offering quality of care through convenient access.
So, in the push and pull between these two pillars in the business of helping people, quality will always matter and so should convenience. Because, convenience IS quality.
James Button, President & Chief Executive Officer
James Button and his wife, Camelia
Boards & directors
Citizen Advocates
Nicholas Eells, Chair
A board member since 2012, Nick is the Managing Partner of The Hoffman Eells Group CPAs, a public accounting firm with offices in Malone, Lake Placid and Plattsburgh. Additionally, he provides asset management services as a Registered Investment Advisor with Avantax Advisory Services.
St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers
Marc Gitlitz, Chair
Marc has served on St. Joseph’s Board since 2021. A former consultant to major firms like Apple and IBM, he has led ventures in tech and energy. Now semi-retired, he continues freelance consulting and invests in IT ventures.
Fieldstone Foundation
Felix Tam, Chair
A board member since 2017, Felix is a licensed physical therapist working at the outpatient facility at UVM Health Network — Alice Hyde Medical Center and for Chateaugay Central School District, providing therapy to developmentally delayed school-aged children.
Harison Place
Paul Goodrow, Chair
Paul has been affiliated with Citizen Advocates since its founding in 1975, and a board member since 2004. Paul’s experience as a special education teacher, director of special education and then deputy superintendent for the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton (FEH) BOCES District makes him an important, experienced voice to have.
2024 by the numbers
$58,745,425
total operating expenses
Employee compensation: 63.84%
Employee benefits: 17.90%
General expenses: 7.96%
Rental expenses: 6.97%
Goods & services: 3.33%
Fieldstone Foundation’s Backpack Program
provides eligible children in grades K-6 with nutritious meals and snacks on the weekend throughout the academic year. To support the Backpack Program, visit FieldstoneFoundation.net.
55,000
meals & snacks provided to 450 children
163
volunteers, including backpack stuffers, 2024 Fieldstone Music Festival helpers and ambassadors for the Taste of Malone event.
St Joseph’s Outpatient Clinics
offer services locally in person and through telehealth, helping people access integrated addiction treatment services without the need for long-distance travel.
16,217
outpatient visits in person and through telehealth
Citizen Advocates’ Outpatient Clinics
offer services locally in person, through telehealth and by telephone helping people access vital mental health and addiction services without the need for long-distance travel.
112,631
outpatient visits in person, through telehealth and by telephone
Citizen Advocates’ Miles Traveled
Transportation in rural areas can pose a major roadblock to those needing our services. We traveled these miles to bring services to our community and transport people to and from the care they need.
734,108
miles traveled
St Joseph’s Inpatient Treatment
Located at the main campus in Saranac Lake, the inpatient program is a 67-bed co-ed program that has varied stays based on medical necessity—one of the only programs in New York State to offer extended stays if needed.
428
inpatient residents, including 36 veterans
Clinical operations: Going above & beyond
Mental health and addiction nurses spring into action and save a life
At Citizen Advocates’ behavioral health urgent care centers, patients have 24/7/365 access to lifesaving mental health and addiction services. But on one spring evening, the team at the Malone Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center saved a life in an unexpected place—the parking lot.
Jessica Fish, RN (pictured, left) was completing notes when she was alerted that an individual had collapsed outside. She hurried out to find the person face down and unresponsive. “At that point, your training just kicks in,” she said. Ms. Fish immediately began CPR and was soon joined by Matt Carista, RN and Christine Clookey, LPN, (pictured, right). The trio took turns administering chest compressions and breaths.
After 15 minutes, emergency medical services arrived, and after a total of 45 minutes of resuscitation, the individual was conscious and breathing on their own.
“Our nursing team is trained to handle anything that’s thrown at them,” said Ashley LaValley, Citizen Advocates’ senior director of nursing and patient care. “Jessica, Matt and Christine did their jobs just like they would any other night, but that was the night they saved a life.”
Once the individual was stabilized and transported to a hospital, debriefings were held to help patients and staff process the traumatic event.
“Later that night, I was kind of in shock,” Ms. Fish said. “The next day, I went and talked to a therapist to process everything that had happened. That helped a lot.”
Our nursing team is trained to handle anything that’s thrown at them.”
Supporting individuals to live the life of their choosing
When a group of Direct Support Professionals began bringing the individuals they support to Lucky Strike Lanes in Malone for weekly outings, word quickly spread.
Before long, the gathering grew to include participants from various Citizen Advocates programs, showcasing the power of self-advocacy in building a vibrant, supportive community. Ernest Francis (pictured) cherished the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life. “I love hanging out with my friends,” he said.
“I love hanging out with my friends.”
Bowling, friendship and advocacy: A story of connection and joy
Special Olympics
Yvonne Smith (pictured) celebrates while competing with the Citizen Advocates Blue Birds at Special Olympics New York’s North Country Region Fall Classic held at SUNY Canton. Through dedication and teamwork, the Blue Birds earned a silver medal in bocce.
The Special Olympics provides athletes with opportunities to grow, compete and achieve a profound sense of accomplishment, all while creating lifelong memories.
art therapy in healthcare
Local bands perform for residents
St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers remains committed to providing holistic and compassionate care for individuals and families struggling with substance use and gambling disorders. In 2024, the organization expanded its mission with creative musical initiatives designed to support recovery and well-being.
At the Saranac Lake residential treatment center, where most individuals stay for 28 to 90 days of structured and intensive treatment, staff have embraced the therapeutic power of music. Weekly jam sessions and performances by visiting musicians now offer a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their creative interests while preparing for healthy lives in recovery.
Once a week, the facility welcomes Trestle Street, a local music collective that hosts jam sessions open to all residents. Personal Adjustment Counselor Jeffery Dupra, who spearheaded the effort at St. Joseph’s, said these sessions have been well received by the people he serves.
“It’s a moment of levity and fun. People walk away feeling good,” Mr. Dupra explained. He emphasized that the sessions help individuals see that they can have fulfilling lives in recovery that include fun and creativity.
Mr. Dupra’s work focuses on preparing individuals for healthy lives after treatment, and the jam sessions are central to that mission.
A valuable side benefit of the jam sessions, Mr. Dupra noted, is the opportunity to model healthy, platonic relationships between men and women. “These events create a space to demonstrate nurturing, platonic, helpful and appropriate interactions between members of the opposite sex.”
It’s a moment of levity and fun. People walk away feeling good.”
Open mic performance
Creative expression plays a vital role in recovery, offering individuals a path to joy, fulfillment and healing. St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers embraced this approach by sponsoring monthly Sober Open-Minded Mic events at BluSeed Studios in Saranac Lake.
Held on the third Friday of each month, these events celebrate live music in an alcohol-free environment, providing a safe and supportive stage for artistic expression.
Residents of the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veterans and First Responders Residential Program regularly showcased their talents. Their rendition of “Ride the Lightning” by Warren Zeiders highlighted how music and art empower recovery, boosting confidence and purpose.
War Words
Five residents from the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veterans and First Responders Residential Program stood with quiet dignity on the stage of the Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake to perform War Words, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated docu-play that captures the raw and unfiltered experiences of U.S. military veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
War Words illuminates the heroic and heartbreaking truths of war, as shared through the voices of veterans, their families and their supporters.
After two months of dedicated preparation, these courageous individuals brought the powerful stories of veterans to life—honoring those who returned and those who did not. Their moving performance was first shared with the staff and residents of St. Joseph’s and later to a public audience.
Jeremy Baumann, director of the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veterans and First Responders Residential Program said, “It was a wonderful opportunity and rewarding for those who took part. It took a willingness to be uncomfortable and vulnerable. It took commitment and the courage to get up there. These are all the things that we’re really trying to encourage in recovery.”
Safe, affordable housing
Harison Place grand opening
Harison Place, a multi-use affordable housing complex six years in the making, celebrated its completion with a ribbon cutting on a picture-perfect summer day.
Over 150 attendees, including community members, elected officials, a representative from the New York State Governor’s Office and various state agencies, attended the event. In addition to celebrating the grand opening, the event was a recognition of achieving community renewal through high-quality, holistic housing.
Harison Place not only held its ribbon-cutting ceremony but also marked a perhaps more significant milestone by welcoming its first tenants in February. Later in the spring, the five commercial spaces on the ground floor came to life with service providers that offer supports for career and skill building, addiction treatment options, food insecurity and community training resources.
From the moment the doors opened for tenants and commercial space occupants, Harison Place has been fully occupied—a testament to the hard work and determination of Citizen Advocates staff in turning a seemingly impossible project into a reality.
As the saying goes, it’s all about location—and the deliberate decision to locate Harison Place in the heart of downtown Malone, replacing blighted properties, made the project a challenge from the start. From the regulatory perspective to gaining the necessary funding and everything in between—including a global pandemic—the project was about making the impossible, possible.
Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy, and Harison Place was no different. In the end, providing high-quality housing and the supports needed to help individuals live full and meaningful lives was the driving force behind the project’s success, proving that with perseverance, collaboration and a shared commitment to community well-being, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved.
Supportive peer groups for Harison Place residents
Peer Support Specialist Melinda Disotelle, from Citizen Advocates’ Malone Outpatient Clinic, began facilitating a peer group for any interested tenants at Harison Place.
The group provides a space for participants to discuss issues affecting their lives, with a focus on relapse prevention, symptom management and coping skills. Since the group meets right in their residence building, participants benefit from the convenience of not needing transportation to attend.
St. Joseph’s opens outpatient clinic in Malone’s Harison Place
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers’ newly relocated Malone Outpatient Clinic. Located on the ground floor of Harison Place, the modern, home-like environment provides integrated outpatient addiction treatment services to support tenants and community members in their recovery journey, marking a new era in substance use treatment services for Northern New York.
It was celebrated with visits from local and area politicians, agency leadership and representatives from the New York State Office of Addiction Support and Services. The move was made possible by the $22 million Harison Place project, a transformative effort that reshaped Malone’s Main Street with high-quality affordable housing.
Wead Library honors Harison Place
Building a strong, thriving community truly takes a village. To that end, Malone’s Wead Library showcased Harison Place alongside the Malone Y and the Chamber of Commerce as community institutions that make Malone a unique and vibrant place to live.
Harison Place’s historical display
A permanent display now graces Harison Place, telling the story of the iconic buildings that once stood there and their place in Malone’s past. Community members and visitors alike can explore the display and learn how this area shaped the village’s rich cultural and economic legacy. A special thanks to local historical photo enthusiast Patrick Tatro (on left) and the Franklin County Historical Society for their contribution of time and expertise to help create the historical display.
fieldstone foundation— making an impact
With gratitude
$12,000
OneGroup & Community Bank, NA
$10,000
Kinney Drugs Foundation
$5,000 - $6,000
3d Development Group / The Bonadio Group / Casella Waste Systems / Celia Construction / Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies / Ms. Kati Jock / Merrill Lynch / Bank of America / NBT Bank
$3,000 - $4,999
Paycom / United Way of Adirondack Region / UVM Health Network - Alice Hyde
$2,500 - $2,999
Adirondack Energy / Adirondack Foundation / Adirondack for Kids / Barclay Damon LLP / Barton & Loguidice / Excellus BCBS / Glazier Packing Company / Nixon Peabody LLP / Perry Systems / Stewarts Community Giving / Sid G. Spear Insurance Company
$1,000 - $2,000
Ellis Automotive / Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy / Growtrends Marketing Agency / Hoffman Eells Group CPAs / Hudson Headwaters / Kiwassa Fund at Adirondack Foundation / Mr. Matt Maguire / Mr. Pat Maguire / Philadelphia Insurance Company / Tenth Crow Creative / TruNorthern Federal Credit Union / Walmart Spark Joy
$500 - $999
A&A Party Tents & Bounce House / Arnold Lumber / Beardsley Architects + Engineers / Centenary United Methodist Church / Citizen Advocates - 6th Street Clinic / Eastside Market / H&R Block / International Border Company / King’s Wok Buffet / Kiwanis Club of Malone / Lifetime Benefit Solution / Malone Ford / The Rhoades Family
At the heart of our charitable efforts our supporters shine brightly. With deep gratitude, we acknowledge these remarkable individuals who have risen to the challenge.
None of this would be possible without you.
$250 - $499
Ms. Karen & Mr. Bob Ashline / Benardot Pediatrics / Ms. Katherine Kellerhals / King-Clark Insurance / Law Office of Nathan Race / Ms. Sharon Lawrence / Malone Rotary Club / North Country Savings Bank / Mr. Steve Schaffer / SeaComm Federal Credit Union / Sons of Amvets / WB Mason / Ms. Sonya Wells / Westelcom & SLIC Fiber
$100 - $200
Alice Hyde Rehabilitation Department / Bright Star Winery / Mr. Kevin Cappiello / Mr. Jay Cook / Mr. William Corsello / Ms. Brittny Doty / Ms. Andrea Dumas / Ms. Kaitlyn Gervais / Ms. Kathleen Goodwin / Howland Pump & Supply / Joe’s Glass / Mr. James McIntosh / Ms. Mary Molly McKee / Ms. Tricia & Brooke Martin / Renzi Food Service / Ms. Nicole Robinson / Ms. Briggette Shaheen / Ms. Suzanne Tober
$50 - $99
Mr. Bobby Pecore / Ms. Brittney Gates / Mr. Jeffrey Morris / Mr. Todd Sweet
Taste of Malone
(participating restaurants)
Bokie’s Drive In / Dairy Queen Grill & Chill / Donovan’s Steak & Ale / Eastside Market / Giuseppe’s Pizza / Hosler’s Family Restaurant / Jessie’s Supper Club / Mo’s Pub & Grill / Riverside Steak & Seafood / Scotty’s Diner / SmokeHouse Pizzeria / Something Different Pizza & Deli / Talk of the Town Pizzeria / The Grille Room / The Pines Tap & Table / Township 7 Brewing Company / Twinleaf Diner
We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support. We strive to capture everyone’s name correctly in order to thank them and honor their contributions. If we missed you, we apologize and hope you will let us know so we can correct our records. Please contact the Fieldstone Foundation at 518-483-1251.
Fighting childhood hunger with Fieldstone Foundation
For many children, school meals are their primary source of nutrition, leaving a critical gap on weekends and during summer break. The Fieldstone Foundation’s Backpack Program and Summer Food Service Program work year-round to bridge this gap.
During the school year, the Backpack Program discreetly provided 55,000 weekend meals to more than 450 children across seven North Country schools.
To sustain this effort, the Taste of Malone fundraiser expanded from 10 restaurants in 2023 to a record 17 in 2024, welcoming five new communities and significantly increasing its impact.
In 2025, the event will rebrand as Meals with Meaning, a name that better reflects our growing regional reach and mission. Strategic vendor partnerships and careful management also reduced meal costs to $125 per child—far below the $300 average for similar programs—ensuring donations stretch further to serve every child in need.
Yet hunger doesn’t pause when school is out. “Food insecurity doesn’t take a summer break,” said Amanda Tagliarino, senior director of the Fieldstone Foundation.
To continue meeting the need beyond the school year, the Summer Food Service Program delivered 15,000 breakfast and lunch meals to recreation parks, schools and community spaces across northern Franklin County.
As food costs rise and demand increases, the Fieldstone Foundation remains a critical safety net, ensuring children across the region have reliable access to nutritious meals.
Food insecurity doesn’t take a summer break.”
Music and community fellowship at the 2024 Fieldstone Music Festival
The 2024 Fieldstone Music Festival showcased the incredible power of community and generosity, raising over $35,000 to support North Country families in need. Headlined by The Dave Matthews Tribute Band (pictured), this year’s festival attracted record-breaking crowds who came together to celebrate local culture, connect with neighbors and support vital community programs. Proceeds benefited the Fieldstone Fund, a crucial resource providing financial assistance for food security, housing, healthcare and other essential needs.
TruNorthern partnership
The partnership between the Fieldstone Foundation and TruNorthern Federal Credit Union exemplifies how like-minded organizations can create lasting change. With a shared commitment to community connection, health and wellness, TruNorthern has been a steadfast supporter of the Fieldstone Foundation’s mission. Their roots as North Franklin Teacher’s Federal Credit Union reflect their dedication to serving children and families in the North Country.
Through initiatives like Backpacks for the Future, TruNorthern and Fieldstone worked together in 2024 to combat childhood food insecurity. This year, TruNorthern matched donations up to $5,000, doubling the impact to reach a $10,000 goal for the Backpack Program.
In the spirit of continued collaboration, TruNorthern will once again match donations in 2025. This partnership ensures every child has the nourishment and support they deserve.
Volunteering opportunities building a community of compassion
At the Fieldstone Foundation, volunteers are the force that brings our mission to life, creating waves of positive change across the North Country. Acts of service not only uplift those in need but also enrich the lives of those who give, reducing stress and anxiety, while fostering a deep sense of belonging.
How you can participate:
Become an ambassador for Meals with Meaning, sharing the purpose behind the event with our community members.
Pack nutritious, child-friendly meals for the Backpack Program.
Volunteer at the Fieldstone Music Festival, a key fundraiser.
This year, Fieldstone’s volunteer family grew from 107 to 163—a 52% increase! This remarkable growth reflects the generosity of our community, local students and our workforce. Volunteers help build a North Country where no one faces hardship alone.
Join us in 2025 and continue making a difference!
the healing power of nature
Club outings
Members of the Crimson Phoenix and Mountain Crest clubs connected with nature during scenic walks across the North Country. These community clubs, part of a long-term care network, provide enjoyable ways to enhance physical well-being and foster a healthy, empowered lifestyle.
Steve Castner (top) and Ariel Good (below) enjoy the stunning views at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center.
Grounded in nature
The staff at North Country Freedom Homes regularly lead hikes around St. Lawrence County to help residents develop essential coping skills for life after completing the residential program.
In the spring, the Mindfulness Meditation Group ventured along various local trails, using a grounding technique that encourages focusing on one sense at a time. This practice helps participants remain in the present moment, easing anxiety and alleviating distressing thoughts.
The group explored the Remington Recreational Trail, St. Lawrence University Saddlemire Trail, Heritage Park and Bend in the River Park, incorporating both walking and seated meditation to fully immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings.
Taking care of caregivers
Supporting caregivers’ well-being is essential to preventing employee burnout. Over the summer, Nathen Chevrier (fourth from right), a targeted case manager at Citizen Advocates, gained renewal and self-care tools at a Restwork Retreat. Sponsored by the North Country Care Coordination Workforce Collaboration and Adirondack Health Institute, the retreat provided stress management training against the serene backdrop of the Adirondacks.
Nathen now faces challenges with a calm mindset and emphasizes self-care, saying, “You can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself.”
Green thumbs
Gardening plots flourished across the network in 2024. Dubbed “garden therapy” by the team at Citizen Advocates’ Ogdensburg Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center, the activity offered a calming outlet for stress, encouraged mindfulness and fostered a sense of accomplishment for participants.
Penny Zwicker and John Charland (left to right) tend to the vegetable garden at Citizen Advocates’ Day Habilitation in Saranac Lake.
Resident field day
This summer, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers’ inpatient facility hosted a resident field day, offering a well-deserved reward for the rigorous work of recovery. Residents and staff gathered outdoors to enjoy a picnic lunch, thoughtfully prepared by the dietary team, and participated in a range of engaging activities. From tie-dyeing T-shirts to an egg run, a cornhole tournament, bocce and lively games of kickball and volleyball, the day provided an opportunity to relax, connect and recharge. Events like these remind us that moments of fun and connection are essential parts of the recovery journey.
valuing every role and the teamwork that drives success
Double duty
Liv Pope (pictured) is a therapist at Citizen Advocates’ Saranac Lake Outpatient Clinic and St. Joseph’s Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veterans and First Responders Residential Program whose work showcases the transformative impact of two organizations uniting to improve treatment and outcomes. Passionate about one-on-one therapy, Liv helps patients in both programs build emotional skills and recovery supports.
Behind the scenes support
Blake Pecore (pictured), network cloud infrastructure administrator, is part of a collaborative team responsible for ensuring the secure, seamless technology operations that support the delivery of lifesaving care at Citizen Advocates, North Country Freedom Homes and St. Joseph’s.
He played a key role in the merger of the Citizen Advocates and St. Joseph’s Information Technology teams in July, a move that strengthened the ongoing collaboration between the two organizations, which began in early 2023.
“I feel like I get to do a lot of cool stuff that supports our employees and helps them do their jobs so much more efficiently. It helps them provide an overall better level of care and service,” Mr. Pecore said.
Shared expertise
Amanda Tagliarino, Gena Nelson and Emily Gokey (from left to right) prepare for the first edition of a continuing education series, led by Ms. Nelson. This year, Citizen Advocates introduced monthly continuing education courses to equip therapists from Citizen Advocates, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers and North Country Freedom Homes with the latest knowledge, skills and best practices in their field. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning and continuous improvement, these organizations continue to excel and make a meaningful impact on those they serve.
Summer picnics
Over the summer, Citizen Advocates, St. Joseph’s and affiliates hosted employee appreciation picnics in Malone, Massena, Saranac Lake and Watertown. With cookout favorites and lawn games, these gatherings were a chance to celebrate the incredible work of staff while fostering meaningful connections across departments.
To accommodate the large group, two separate luncheons were held where employees enjoyed a special meal and received certificates of appreciation. CEO James Button and Associate VP of People Heather Wenzel delivered remarks at both events.
While we celebrate these long-tenured employees, it’s the collective effort of the entire workforce that truly makes the difference—their dedication, expertise and the legacy they are creating for the future of caregiving.
Workforce recognition
In November, a celebration of excellence and dedication was held for nearly 100 employees from Citizen Advocates, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers and North Country Freedom Homes.
The ceremony honored employees who have dedicated 20 or more years to their respective agencies. Together, these professionals have accumulated an extraordinary 2,500 years of combined experience in the helping field—a remarkable achievement in an era where job transitions are increasingly common.
The exceptional individuals have dedicated a big part of their careers to making a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families. Whether in direct care or support roles, their unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care inspires their colleagues and communities.
beyond the clinic: community outreach
Raising awareness about Narcan, a lifesaving medication
The team from St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers continued their mission of raising awareness about the lifesaving medication Narcan by holding several training sessions around the North Country.
At one community event in June, a total of 42 people were trained in the use of Narcan. This was just one of 28 trainings across the North Country in 2024, where community members received training in the medication’s use and were provided with supplies.
Neighborhood engagement team
Thanks to a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Improvement & Advancement Grant, Citizen Advocates created a neighborhood engagement team to provide Narcan training and education on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) at community forums throughout St. Lawrence County. As a result, over 100 community members were certified to administer lifesaving Narcan.
Covering the uninsured
Health insurance plays a critical role in improving health outcomes and increasing access to mental health and addiction services. To better support uninsured and underinsured individuals, Citizen Advocates’ behavioral health urgent care centers in Malone and Ogdensburg hosted monthly visits from Fidelis Care representatives to answer questions, provide resources and assist with enrollment.
125
outreach events in 2024!
expanding services to meet the community’s need
St. Joseph’s expands access to lifesaving opioid treatment in Franklin County
In September, the agency held a powerful public forum at the Saranac Lake Free Library to share its innovative vision for advancing care. The event featured a keynote presentation by Mark Raymond (pictured), clinical director at Farnham Family Services, and highlighted staff’s dedicated plans to enhance treatment for individuals on their recovery journey.
Attendees also participated in Narcan training, gaining practical tools to save lives, while engaging in meaningful discussions over light refreshments. This collaborative gathering reinforced our shared commitment to providing essential support and creating a brighter future for those impacted by opioid use disorder.
A comprehensive opioid treatment program is vital for addressing the overdose crisis impacting so many communities, offering hope and lifesaving care to those affected.
This year, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers’ John Munn Road location in Saranac Lake was approved as the new site for its Comprehensive Outpatient Program. This development paves the way for expanding access to the full spectrum of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Franklin County, which have been shown to reduce opioid overdose deaths by 50%.