SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Join the Community Health Law Project for the 32nd annual Ann Klein Advocate Awards and 2019 Michael D. Lione Accessibility Award Reception on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange.
The CHLP is a nonprofit, legal aid society founded in 1976 and based in South Orange. With a dedication to serving the legal needs of persons with disabilities throughout New Jersey, CHLP provides legal and advocacy services, training, education, and related activities to persons with disabilities and, in certain issues, to organizations representing their interests, with an emphasis on those most vulnerable and needy.
The Ann Klein Advocate Awards were created in 1988 to honor Ann Klein, former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, who was instrumental in establishing a community-based system of care for people with mental and physical disabilities. The award recognizes honorees for the outstanding contributions they have made in improving the lives of people living with disabilities. The 2019 honorees are NAMI New Jersey Associate Director, of Stockton; the Miracle Project at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown; Bergen County’s United Way Vice President of Programs and Operations Gina M. Plotino, of New Milford; Children’s Emergency Medical Fund of New Jersey co-founder and Co-Chairwoman Rabbi Francine Reibman, of South Orange; and former CBHCare Executive Director Peter Scerbo, of Bradley Beach.
The Michael D. Lione Accessibility Award was established in 2013 in memory of the long-time CHLP board member and former chairman. This award is presented to an individual or entity that has performed exemplary work as an advocate for accessibility on behalf of persons living with disabilities. The 2019 recipient is Warren resident Michael R. Dribbon, vice president of business development and chief innovation & research officer at the Children’s Specialized Hospital & Center for Discovery.
In addition, this year the CHLP will be giving Special Recognition Awards to David Lazarus, retired director of litigation, and David Popiel, retired senior managing attorney, for their more than three decades of policy, litigation and legislation successes on behalf of persons living with disabilities.
The Community Health Law Project’s advocacy initiatives and student intern program are supported through this annual awards event. To purchase tickets, visit www.chlp.org or call 973-275-1175.
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