Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the 2023 Main Line Wine Gala on October 12th. This year’s milestone Gala celebrated a “Decade of Difference” with exquisite wines paired with delectable food in a lush, bucolic environment featuring impressive art pieces by artists from RHD’s progressive arts studio, the Center for Creative Works (CCW). But the true stars of the evening were CCW, United Peers, and Stepping Stones who embody the passion and commitment that drives RHD’s successes. Program directors Lori Bartol, DiAndra Thompson, and Debra Abrams spoke in a video featuring their programs about the power of continued support over time and how it helps to transform lives today and tomorrow. Throughout the evening, RHD’s CEO, Marco Giordano, drove home the message that “Together, We’re Better” and that our extended networks are part of the community of care that makes everything RHD accomplishes possible.

Appleford Estates in Villanova, PA, hosted 136 attendees at this year’s gala. Event highlights included the auctioning of an exclusive trip to Bordeaux, France, to experience winemaking with Edmonds de Rothchild Heritage, a rousing ovation for RHD program director and United Peers founder, Sheila Prioleau, and the awarding of our first “Champions of Change” honorees. In all, the gala raised $140,000. Proceeds will go to the participating artists, programs, and future initiatives at RHD. We can’t wait to see you in 2024!

The New NOMCIU Celebrates its Opening with Community Support and Strong Results

On October 25th, RHD’s New Orleans Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit (MCIU) held an opening reception at the Rooftop Basin Street in New Orleans. The 150 attendees eagerly celebrated the success of the new team. First responders taking part included a large contingent from the New Orleans Police Department, local hospital leadership, homeless outreach, and community members. Speakers included two City Councilmen, the Medical Director of the New Orleans Health Department, the head of the police department's Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), RHD Service Line Director Shaun Randall, Regional Director Jan Tarantino, and MCIU Program Director Tyesha Rhodes. MCIU staff members also attended.

The MCIU, which officially opened its doors on June 1, 2023, operates as the fourth branch of the emergency response system, responding to 911 calls from individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Since June, the MCIU has responded to over 1,000 calls for behavioral health support, which accounts for 30% of such calls in New Orleans. Most responses were in person with less than 4% of calls being resolved by phone. The team’s average response time is 15 minutes and average length of time on scene is 40 minutes. There have been no instances of injury to either staff or participants, and staff report feeling safe in 99% of the calls. CIT Officer Desi Broussard said it best in her remarks, "The people you have in place in these green shirts, they are truly heroes. They are making a huge difference in the streets of New Orleans and in the lives of the people that they touch.”

For more information about the MCIU, visit www.rhd.org/nomciu.

RHD's Western PA (WEPA) division actively supports more than 300 individuals each year through a variety of services, including mobile psychiatric rehabilitation, community-based residential programs, and drug and alcohol treatment. To celebrate the year's highlights, they created a heartwarming video showcasing numerous events and celebrations in the Western PA region. This video captures the meaningful work accomplished, brightening spirits, and leaving a lasting impact on the community. It beautifully conveys the essence of RHD’s mission and the happiness it brings to participants.

Decorating his workspace with eerie skulls and jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, Bill Carpenter, an artist at RHD’s Outside the Lines (OTL) Studio, greets visitors with a warm welcome and eagerness to show his impressive pieces of art to anyone willing to pay attention. Upon meeting the varied and prolific artist, one quickly becomes mesmerized by Bill’s infectious personality and candid honesty. He isn’t bashful about talking about his art or challenging childhood, marked by abuse and an alcoholic mother. Born with a developmental disability, combined with his tumultuous upbringing, Bill was not poised for achieving success as an adult. That all changed when he joined OTL.

RHD and The Family Practice and Counseling Network (FPCN) take great pride and honor in celebrating Emily Nichols, the esteemed Executive Director at FPCN, for her well-deserved recognition as a healthcare power player by Metro Philadelphia. Her unwavering commitment and exceptional service are integral to the strength of FPCN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, Emily, for your outstanding contributions.

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