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Vinfen to honor Carey, Morrissey at MFA March 15
Gala Reception following Film Festival celebrates Vinfen’s 30th Anniversary
For virtually all of their working lives, Bernie Carey and Gerry Morrissey have dedicated themselves to advancing opportunities for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities. On Saturday, March 15, they will be honored with a ceremony and some very symbolic awards.
As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, Vinfen Corporation will pay tribute to Carey and Morrissey at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Each will be presented with the inaugural Vinfen Transforming Lives Award, which honors distinguished careers in the treatment of mental illness and developmental disabilities.
David Wade, WBZ-TV News Anchor, will emcee the award presentation, which takes place at a private Gala Reception at the museum’s Bravo Restaurant. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m.
Bernie Carey
Carey, born on Boston’s Mission Hill and a current resident of Reading, has been executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health for the past 31 years. He has received numerous awards from human service organizations as well as the state and federal governments. In 2001, he received the Lilo McMillan Award from the Mass. Department of Mental Health in recognition of his advocacy and work on behalf of people with mental illness and their families.
Carey is a former Associate Professor at Boston University School of Social Work and Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts.
Gerry Morrissey
Morrissey, who was born in Dorchester and currently lives in Milton, recently completed a 10-year term as commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation. He had also served as assistant secretary for the Office of Disabilities and Community Services and as a board member and president of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NADDDS).
A board member of the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Clubs in Dorchester since 1984, he is currently Senior Director of Program Services for The MENTOR Network in Boston. Among his many awards during 31 years of public service is the 2007 Ben Censoni Excellence in Public Service Award from NADDDS.
For their awards, Carey and Morrissey will be presented original works of art from individuals served at two Vinfen programs, Webster House and Gateway Arts.
“It is only fitting that Bernie and Gerry receive gifts from people who have benefited from the types of services they worked so hard to develop and improve,” said Gary W. Lamson, President and CEO of Vinfen. “I can’t think of a better way to honor their dedication and commitment.”
This reception follows the day-long Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness Film Festival, Moving Images, a free event presented by Vinfen in conjunction with the Museum of Fine Arts Film Program. Fourteen films will be shown on two screens at the MFA from 10:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Contact:
Shawn Middleton: (617) 441-1896
middletons@vinfen.org
Howard Newman: (617) 441-1726
newmanh@vinfen.org
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