Thank you for supporting / joining us for our 8th Mental Health Symposium and for helping us mark the beginning of our 50 Years of Service celebration in such a meaningful way. Your contribution, presence, perspectives, and engagement made this community-wide conversation both powerful and timely.
In a moment shaped by federal funding uncertainty, Medicaid instability, workforce burnout, and rising community mental health needs, it was truly inspiring to gather nonprofit healthcare leaders, clinicians, social service providers, funders, policymakers, and community stakeholders from across the region to engage in honest, solutions-focused dialogue.

Together, we explored:

• The mental, operational, and organizational strain facing nonprofit healthcare organizations
• Strategies to build resilience, strengthen collaboration, and foster mutual support
• Practical approaches to sustaining essential services while prioritizing workforce wellbeing
• The real-world impacts of policy shifts and funding uncertainty

We extend our sincere gratitude to our Keynote Speaker, Howard Sovronsky, LCSW, Connecticut’s first Behavioral Health Advocate, for sharing his deep expertise and thoughtful insights drawn from more than 30 years of advancing behavioral health systems.

Thank you as well to our Moderator, Frank Borres, Founder & CEO of American View Productions, for skillfully guiding a meaningful and engaging discussion.

We are also deeply grateful to our exceptional panelists for their on-the-ground perspectives and leadership:

• Dr. Elizabeth Rivera-Rodríguez, Director of Health & Social Services, City of Bridgeport
• Joyce Daniel, LCSW, School-Based Behavioral Health Provider, Optimus Health Care, Inc.
• Ayesha Clarke, Executive Director, Health Equity Solutions (HES)

Rev. Dr. Anthony L. Bennett, Pastor of Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, and Chief of Police Roderick Porter of the Bridgeport Police Department, your thoughtful reflections, honest insights, and much needed reality checks truly brought the conversation to life. You added the umph that reminded us to stay grounded in the strength, wisdom, and self resilience that already exist within our communities and the relationships that sustain them.

And of course, a very special thank you to YOU whose questions, reflections, and shared experiences enriched the conversation and reinforced the importance of collective action.

We are thankful to Sacred Heart University for hosting us on West Campus and for providing a welcoming space for learning, connection, and collaboration. In case you didn’t have the opportunity to scan the QR code at the event, the program is attached for your reference. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors, community partners, and vendors who supported this symposium, your partnership helps make these important conversations possible.

Share Your Feedback

Lastly, we invite you to take a few minutes to share your feedback. Your insights will help us build on this year’s success and continue strengthening future convenings.

As we continue our 50th anniversary year, we look forward to building on the insights shared and working together to strengthen a more resilient, collaborative, and equitable regional behavioral health system.