On Friday, October 14, 2016, the Ambassadors for Edgewater hosted its annual Speakeasy Gala. The event was held at the Sand Creek Country Club, Chesterton, Ind. For over fourteen years the Ambassadors have hosted an annual gala to help raise much needed funds that go a long way to:
- Provide the financial support to assist Edgewater to continue providing services to persons in our community experiencing behavioral health challenges, including those who need help but have no way to pay.
- Assist Edgewater in its marketing and outreach efforts that are aimed at removing the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction.
Over 200 guests played their hands on the gaming tables and bided on wonderful silent auction items. Guests also tried their hands at winning prizes that included iPhones, tables, TV, and much more.
The emcee was Art Norman, NBC 5Chicago and entertainment for the evening was provided by the Mike LaBroi Band, a 10 piece band that played music reminiscent of the Speakeasy Era.
Two awards presentation were given; one to Ivy Tech and another to Dr. Sharron Liggins.
Ivy Tech Community College Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center received the Commonweal Award for Institutional Leadership. The Center thro-ugh its programs like The Society of Innovators celebrates and recognizes creativity and innovation throughout Northwest Indiana. This award recognizes institutional leadership in promoting the common good in communities faced with difficult and longstanding challenges.
Recipient of the Commonweal Award for Personal and Professional Leadership is Dr. Sharron Liggins, Ed.D, MSA, RN. Dr. Liggins as the Regional Chair of the Regional Planning Council Continuum of Care has been a true advocate and instrument in the efforts to end homelessness in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Liggins serves on numerous community boards where she puts her experience to work to the benefit of other agencies. This award recognizes longstanding contributions exhibited by individuals and individual acts of distinction which illustrate the priority that the common good should hold over personal or parochial gain.
This year’s major sponsors as of September 12 included Haywood and Fleming Associates (Gold Sponsor), Indiana University Northwest (Partner Sponsor), First Midwest Bank (Partner Sponsor), Centier Bank (Partner Sponsor), Methodist Hospitals (Partner Sponsor), Hoeppner Wagner and Evans LLP (Supporting Sponsor), and Calumet College of St. Joseph (Supporting Sponsor).
Edgewater Behavioral Health Systems (also known as Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living) is a 501c3 organization focused on caring for the mental health and behavioral health needs of Northwest Indiana’s most vulnerable citizens. With an accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Re-habilitation Facilities, Edgewater services are deemed to be of the highest quality, measureable and accountable. More than 3,000 men, women and children were cared for in 2015 alone.
