News

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. has long been known for going above and beyond in his leadership role for the county.  His passion for the area and the people who live here is evident in his everyday work.

“For anyone who knows him, it’s easy to see that Tony has a heart for the community he serves,” says Cassandra Sheets, LMSW, and Chief Executive Officer for the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc.  “He has been instrumental in moving our agency’s mission forward and the missions of our partner agencies in the county.  He is truly committed to fighting substance abuse and paving the way for recovery.   Presenting him with our Advocacy Award is just one small way to recognize all that he has done for the people we serve.”

The County Executive will receive the award at CFLR, Inc.’s annual awareness breakfast, “Celebrating CommUNITY Connections” where the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will celebrate those community partners who join together in the recovery mission.   Mrs. Sheets went on to explained, “We want to recognize all of our partners who play a role in the recovery community, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, support groups, peer services, life skills, or advocacy.  All of us together share a piece of the success stories we’re now writing.”

The county executive’s long hours and loyalty as a public servant is just the beginning of why he is so deserving of this recognition.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award,” Picente said. “I want to thank Cassandra Sheets and everyone from The Center for Family Life and Recovery for this high recognition and for the impactful work they do each and every day to improve this community. Fighting substance abuse and assisting those affected through recovery has always been something I believe in strongly. I will continue to support those efforts both personally and through the policies and programs of Oneida County government.”

The awareness breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro and is open to the public.  Tickets are available by calling the office at 315.733.1709 or on the CFLR, Inc. website, www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading resource provider in prevention, mental health, and behavioral services, as well as community and family recovery programs.  CFLR is committed to working together with our community partners with the common goal of improving the individual’s quality of life.  For more information on any of CFLRs programs and services, call 315.733.1709 or visit www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com.

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The Mohawk Valley is fortunate to have strong, community-minded leaders to join together in the fight against substance use disorders.  For the friends and loved ones who are rebuilding their lives in recovery, the support they find locally helps to increase their chances of success.  This area has numerous resources to help individuals and families get clean and sober, and achieve long-term recovery.  More importantly, those resources work together to customize individual plans for the road to recovery.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is celebrating those community partners who join together in the recovery mission at their annual awareness breakfast, this year themed “Celebrating CommUNITY Connections.”   The agency’s CEO, Cassandra Sheets, LMSW, explained, “We want to recognize all of our partners who play a role in the recovery community, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, support groups, peer services, life skills, or advocacy.  All of us together share a piece of the success stories we’re now writing.”

One of those valuable partners is the Mohawk Valley chapter of Friends of Recovery, and their local president, Tom Reilly.  Tom will be presented with this year’s Amethyst Award at the awareness breakfast.  The Amethyst Award is given annually “to a member of the community who has helped others by inspiring them with a message of hope and recovery,” according to Mrs. Sheets. “Tom does that ten times over and is most deserving of this award.  While we had a number of amazing nominations, Tom was an easy choice.  He’s lived recovery, and he puts himself out there every day to help anyone who is struggling to achieve that same success.”

Being a quiet and humble man of few words, when Tom was informed of the award, he just said, “The paradox of recovery is this:  The more useful I am to others, the better my life is!”

The awareness breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro and is open to the public.  Tickets are available by calling the office at 315.733.1709 or on the CFLR, Inc. website, www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading resource provider in prevention, mental health, and behavioral services, as well as community and family recovery programs.  CFLR is committed to working together with our community partners with the common goal of improving the individual’s quality of life.  For more information on any of CFLRs programs and services, call 315.733.1709 or visit www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com.

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