On October 23, Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester will host their Annual Celebration for Mental Health at Derryfield Country Club. It will be an evening of heavy hors d'oeuvres, a live auction and raffle, and award presentations.

The Celebration raises money to provide mental health services for children, teens, and adults who could not otherwise afford them.

To participate, you can register at the link. The online auction will start in the afternoon and features many great items.

Presenter and Award Winners

Britney Lane, Miss New Hampshire USA 2023, will be the featured speaker at the event. Britney, who is a social worker at MHCGM, will share how a past personal experience transformed her passion for supporting survivor-led policy changes for victims of sexual violence. Britney has used her platform on pageant stages across the country to spread her message about sexual assault prevention and education.

Geoffrey “Geoff” Vercauteren is the 2023 recipient of the annual Wheelock-Nardi Advocacy Award. Advocacy comes in many forms based upon the current needs within a community and as healthcare providers in New England recognize, “workforce development” is the paramount challenge facing mental health care today.  Over the past six years, Geoff has provided local, regional, and statewide leadership to address many of these workforce challenges.

Dr. Jennifer Chmiel Gillis is the 2023 recipient of the Community Leadership Award. Jennifer Chmiel Gillis, Ed.D, is the Superintendent of Schools for Manchester School District. She has worked in the district since 2014, serving as Principal at Southside Middle School before being named Assistant Superintendent. Recognizing the impact of strong community partnerships, Gillis has worked to strengthen and systematize these connections to strengthen schools and improve student outcomes.