Gala Caps Off An Amazing Day                                      BACK TO MAIN PAGE

Vinfen’s 30th Anniversary celebration finished in

dramatic style with a two-hour Gala Reception that

featured music, art, moving testimonials and awards

for two very special people, Bernie Carey and Gerry

Morrissey.

About 270 people attended the festivities, which were emceed by WBZ-TV news anchor David Wade.

Carey and Morrissey each received the inaugural

Vinfen Transforming Lives Award, which honors

distinguished careers in the fields of mental illness

and developmental disabilities.

“There is no way that we would have been able to

help all of the people we serve without the demonstrated leadership and groundbreaking efforts of our two honorees,” said Gary Lamson, president and CEO of Vinfen.

Carey has been executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health for the past 31 years. In 2001, he received the Lilo McMillan Award from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in recognition of his advocacy and work on behalf of people with mental illness and their families.

Morrissey recently completed a 10-year term as

commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of

Mental Retardation. He is currently vice president of

quality assurance and service development of The MENTOR Network, a national network of local human services providers offering an array of community-based services to adults and children.

“Our work has been rewarding,” said Morrissey. “We

had the honor to assist families and individuals in

overcoming great odds, and left a tradition of service for future caregivers.”

The awards themselves were special. Both men received original artwork created by individuals served by Vinfen programs. Carey received Volcanic Galaxies, a pen and ink work by Webster House artist Ray Ryan. Morrissey’s gift was Paul Revere’s House, a watercolor painting by Carmella Salvucci of Gateway Arts.

“It’s success stories like Ray Ryan that play out, one

individual at a time, and keep us focused every day,”

Carey said. “It’s why we all believe in the community system.”

One of the more emotional highlights of the evening

consisted of brief testimonials from three individuals

served by Vinfen programs. “Webster House has been a blessing to me,” said Ryan, the first of the three to speak. “I’ve come a long way.”

  Bernie Carey (right) congratulates Webster House artist   

  Ray Ryan for a job well done.

Rae Edelson (right) of Gateway Arts presents Gerry Morrissey with his award, a painting by Carmella Salvucci.

Ruby Pearl, an artist at Gateway Arts, expressed her

gratitude for having an opportunity to do what she loves. “I’d like to thank everyone at Gateway Arts,” Pearl said. “They opened their doors to me when I was homeless and made me feel alive.”

Amy Smith said that prior to her involvement with Vinfen, she was a “mentally ill person stuck in the system” but because of the support and training at Webster House, she was able to fulfill her dream of becoming an artist. In fact, she recently received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tufts University.

Midway through the program, pianist/singer Tony DeBlois entertained the crowd with a fine rendition of Carole King’s “You’ll Find Me There.” The evening came to a close with DeBlois accompanying Vinfen staffer Sara Bielanski as she sang the John Lennon classic, “Imagine.”

It was a fitting way to end the program, which celebrated accomplishments as well as hopes and dreams. All were left to appreciate the fine work of many people and imagine how things can be even better in the days to come.