Building Stronger Communities for 50 Years  

As our country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we pause to mark a milestone of our own: Fifty years of Citizen Advocates serving communities across Upstate New York.

While modest in comparison, our anniversary represents five decades of persistence, courage and steady growth at a pivotal moment in our journey.

In 1975, a small group of determined community leaders embraced a simple but powerful belief: Care belongs close to home. They challenged systems that separated people from their communities and built homes where institutions once stood. They advanced person-centered supports before the term existed and affirmed that individuals living with mental health conditions, substance use disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities are citizens first.

From that foundation, Citizen Advocates has grown from a single organization into a coordinated network of safety net providers. Today, that network includes St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, North Country Freedom Homes, Harison Place and the Fieldstone Foundation. Together, we deliver mental health care, addiction treatment, housing, community living supports, crisis response and philanthropic initiatives that strengthen the fabric of an entire region.

The pages of this report reflect that evolution. In 2025 alone, network outpatient clinics provided more than 122,000 visits, inpatient and residential programs supported nearly 500 individuals and teams traveled more than 1.14 million miles to bring care to people where they live. We launched a 24/7 Crisis Hotline and Mobile Crisis Team, expanded harm reduction access and celebrated national accreditation milestones that underscore the quality of our services.

As we contemplate our next chapter, our strategic planning sets a clear course for responsible growth by reinforcing the network’s role as a safety net provider grounded in accessibility and convenience, accelerating investment in leadership, data and infrastructure so that every step forward strengthens outcomes for the individuals we serve.

None of this happens without people. Citizen Advocates’ founders set the course with conviction and integrity. Our volunteer board members steward the mission. A dedicated workforce of more than 1,000 employees carry it forward every day with skill and compassion.

As we celebrate 50 years, we honor the legacy behind us and embrace the responsibility ahead. The need for accessible, integrated health and human services has never been greater. Guided by founding values and strengthened by a unified network, we will continue building systems of care that ensure every person has the opportunity not only to heal, but to thrive.