BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Journalist and Emmy Award winning television broadcaster Jane Pauley will keynote the 2nd Annual “Reflections of Hope” Luncheon to break the stigma of mental illness and benefit the mental health services of Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (JFS). A powerful mental health advocate, Pauley chronicled her experience with bipolar depression and journey of self-reflection and wellness in her bestselling memoir, Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue. The community is invited to hear Pauley at 11:00 am on February 27, 2014 at Boca West Country Club.
“We look forward to welcoming our guests to share an event of powerful hope, inspiration and possibility,” said Nancy Schiller, who is chairing the luncheon with Judi Donoff and Vice Chairs Michele Blair & Talia Klein. “As the daughter of a schizophrenic mother and the mother of a schizophrenic daughter, I felt early and learned deeply the stigma and challenges of mental illness.”
“JFS offers an array of essential mental health services too often out of reach for many, even those with insurance,” said Blair. “We offer psychiatric care, psychological evaluation, counseling, support groups, and our remarkable Welcome Home Program, South Palm Beach County’s only drop-in day center for adults with long-term mental illness.”
Founded in 2003 in response to a critical community need, Welcome Home provides a supportive, caring and creative therapeutic environment where these adults can improve their independent functioning. Therapists teach life skills and socialization, arts and crafts, interactive music appreciation, yoga, financial literacy and job readiness.
Added Klein, “The community welcomes and supports our efforts to raise awareness and provide these services. Our first “Reflections of Hope” Luncheon sold out weeks ahead of time last year, and with this year’s early interest, we’re sure to fill a much larger space on February 27.”
“We are extremely grateful to those whose generosity has enabled this opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds for mental health,” said Donoff. “They are led by Grand Benefactors Marilyn and Jay Weinberg who truly understand the importance of this event that will help so many throughout our community.”
