Captured Event

November, 16 2009 - Lee Carlson - Putting a Face on Mental Health

What: Putting a Face on Mental Health

Where: Embassy Suites - Brooklyn Center

When: Saturday November 14, 2009

Time: 5:30 pm

Ticket Prices: Individual Registrations - $55

Beneficiary: Mental Health

Executive Director: Kathy Samilo

Staff: Prem Suppogu, Financial Director, Joe Wotruba, Domestic Abuse Program Director, Paula Okorafor, Clinical Director, Mary Kahle, Clinical Director, Patty Halvorson, Marketing/Development Manager

Music: Guitar performed by Gene Swanson, Poetry & Music from Bridgeview Artists & Charlie Horvereid—Jr. from Crossroads Alternative HS in Coon Rapids

Sponsors: M&I Bank—Blaine, Great River Energy, Michael Schneider, Gray Plant Mooty Foundation, Anchor Bank, Western Bank, Redemptive Financial, Visit Mpls. North Convention Bureau

Special Thanks: Marc Grove The Suppogu family Alan Hamel The Samilo family Cliff & Amy Steinhauser The Halvorson family Steve Antonello The Carlson family Art & Clarice Elbert The Sell family Joe & Elear Moen The Jensen family Mike McKillips, Inc. The Butler family Cirks Construction, Bromley Printing for donating the printing North Metro TV for creating & donating the video Twin Shot Photograpy for creating & donating all photography Sweetspot for PR consultation Helen Hartley & the Artists at Bridgeview for creating the centerpieces John Bienias for creating the Lee Carlson Tribute video Grossman Design for designing invites Volunteers Terrie & Tony Machin & Cynthia Reardon for many hours devoted to auction procurement The Ham Lake Women of Today & Deb Spraggins for managing the silent auction Lori Reiners, Wendi Francisco, Donna Cantele, Dorothy Bienias, Joyce LeKang & Prem Suppogu for auction support, Mintahoe Catering & the Embassy Suites for in-kind support

Board of Directors: Dale Jensen, Chairman, Gary Carlson, Treasurer, MaryBeth Siemback, Secretary, Gretchen Zunkel, Sue Butler, Steve Nicol, Jean Capra, Timothy Culbert,Casey Green

The Carlson family is proud of what has been done in Lee's name.
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A nice crowd gathered to honor the tremendous work that the Lee Carlson Center is providing.

Back in 1979, a registered nurse named Lee Carlson was struck by the lack of mental health services available in Anoka County. Inspired to make a difference, Lee started a grassroots effort to provide high-quality low-cost mental health services to children and families.

Lee provided not only the vision for these services, she rallied support from other community leaders and county officials to provide public and financial support. The result was Central Center for Family Resources, a
Community based mental health clinic and 501 ©(3) charitable organization housed out of a few donated offices in the Spring Lake Park Municipal Building.

Lee’s compassion for families in need was truly remarkable. She was committed to “turning no one away for an inability to pay” and showed great compassion for those who were most vulnerable. She had an unlimited capacity to love and nurture and had an innate ability to connect with everyone she met. On a professional level, she expected the highest degree of ethical standards from her staff and gave nothing less in her own service to others.

Thanks to Lee’s vision, insight and determination the Center has been able to help over 4,000 individuals and families every year who are struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. In fact, we’re the primary provider of mental health services in the Northern suburbs.

Lee passed away in 2003, but her legacy lives on in the work the Center continues to provide.   On our 30th anniversary and in honor of Lee, we’re happy to announce our new name... Lee Carlson Center for Mental
Health & Well-Being.