For more information contact: 
Madison Area YMCA 
Marketing & Communications 973.822-9622 ext. 2241 

For Immediate Release 

Madison Area YMCA’s Project Community Pride and the Community Mental Health Initiative Receive a Public Private Partnership Award from the New Jersey League of Municipalities and NJBIZ

(Madison, NJ) August 5, 2016 – Project Community Pride of the Madison Area YMCA and the Community Mental Health Initiative have been awarded a Public Private Partnership Award by the New Jersey League of Municipalities and NJBIZ, New Jersey’s statewide weekly business journal. 

The Award honors successful public private partnership programs across the state that make significant public benefit impacts.

“The Public Private Partnership Award recognizes the outstanding collaboration, innovation and leadership of our local Boroughs and School Districts in service to the wellbeing of children, teens and their families throughout our community,” said Madison Area YMCA President & CEO Diane Mann. “Working together, the Partnership is able to provide no-fee counseling to students in Florham Park, Chatham and Madison who are facing significant challenges in school and in life. We are grateful for our partnership with these forward-looking leaders who make this important service available without cost being a barrier,” she said.

Project Community Pride of the Madison Area YMCA is a no-fee youth counseling and support program for children, teens and families in Chatham, Florham Park and Madison who are struggling with social, emotional and/or behavioral issues. Counseling and support services are provided in the schools and at the program’s office by licensed, clinical social workers. The program was made possible through the collaboration of community leaders and the municipalities, school districts and police departments of the Chathams, Florham Park and Madison. Project Community Pride is the only program of its kind in New Jersey, and one of few in the country.

The Y’s Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) raises awareness and lowers the stigma associated with mental illness. CHMI also focuses on reducing barriers to mental health care by providing community members with knowledge and skills to increase help-offering behaviors. The Y provides opportunities to become certified in Mental Health First Aid. An evidence-based skills training course, MHFA, is designed for non-mental health professionals, preparing them to know how to help reduce the social distance between people with mental illnesses and others.

The Public Private Partnership Awards will be presented at a reception on September 21^st at The Imperia in Somerset.

The Madison Area YMCA is a 501c(3) cause-driven charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Generous donations make it possible for everyone in the community to be enriched by the Y, regardless of ability to pay, to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body at any age.

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TAPinto 8/9/16; Madison & Chatham Patch 8/9/16; Madison Eagle 8/10/16; Daily Record 8/11/16 and Ledger Local 8/22/16