Pictured: Honoree Mary Mackintosh and her husband Stuart Mackintosh

By Ellen Edwards, Board Member of The Counseling Center

May 15, 2024: On May 3^rd, on a gorgeous spring night, one hundred and fifty guests gathered at Siwanoy Country Club to celebrate The Counseling Center’s 53rd year and raise funds for its fee-subsidy program. 

The gala honored Mary Mackintosh, Director of Missional Engagement at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, whose work advocating for social justice has brought people together, inspired hope, and transformed lives.

Funds raised at the gala will continue the work of the nonprofit Counseling Center, in particular its program of offering fee subsidies to clients who could not otherwise afford its services.  To its many clients over the decades who have struggled with mental health concerns and found confidentiality and compassion from its group of skilled therapists, The Counseling Center has been a trusted, valued resource.  The Center extends a special thank you for the generous donations from the many benefactors, underwriters, and sponsors listed at the end of this article, who helped make this event possible.

Following cocktails, during the sit-down dinner, Executive Director Virgil Roberson spoke of the critical need for mental health care services. The Rev. Matt Waterstone gave a warm introduction of the gala’s honoree by asking, “Who is our neighbor?” and replying that for Mary Mackintosh, a neighbor is anyone in need, whether that person is right here in Bronxville or half a world away in Africa.

Later in the program, Clinical Director Jennifer Klein spoke movingly via prerecorded video of the clients served by The Counseling Center. Offering composite descriptions to safeguard clients’ privacy, she described people from all backgrounds and experiences, many suffering the effects of trauma and abuse, whose treatment at The Counseling Center is helping them form meaningful relationships and achieve their goals.

In a moving speech, Mary Mackintosh cited her own experience as a clinical supervisor and a clinician at a mental health clinic in New Rochelle and her appreciation for the therapists’ hard work at The Counseling Center. “Mental health is so much more than the absence of mental illness,” she said. “When we face difficult life transitions, when we face obstacles communicating with those we love, when life seems dark or overwhelming, or when we just need someone to help us sort out confusing messages within our minds, turning to a therapist is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It is what allows us to tap into the light within us that brings hope and the gifts that allow us to thrive.”

She cited the “cruel reality” that many people cannot afford quality mental health care services and for some, the consequences can be devastating—lived out in substance abuse, homelessness, and involvement in the criminal justice system.

For Mary, recognizing and embracing neighbors who are different from us promotes our own mental wellbeing. “Loving our neighbors, knowing our neighbors and walking alongside them is often the way we find meaning in our own lives,” she said.

Mary spoke of the joy she finds in working with mission partners near and far, whom she described as “people who have overcome more than I can fathom and who inspire me daily to imagine a different world for all of us.” 

She is inspired by Emma Stackhouse, who found the strength after growing up as the daughter of sharecroppers in South Carolina to serve 50-75 meals at the soup kitchen of the First Reformed Church of Mount Vernon every Monday night for nearly 40 years.  By Jenya Klius in his mission to drive van loads of food, water, and medical supplies to the front lines in Ukraine and then evacuate people in danger to safety. By Pamela Zimba and the women at Lilac House in Mount Vernon, who are now supported in rebuilding their lives after incarceration. And by brilliant, courageous, and resilient young women like Suu Kyaw from Myanmar and Sheela Hayati from Afghanistan, who were forced to flee their home countries and are now working toward careers in mental health and nursing.

Mary added, “Putting human faces and warm hearts on the issues that divide us changes the conversation. Loving our neighbors as ourselves does not mean choosing which neighbors to love.”

Following dinner, a spirited live auction was conducted by professional auctioneer Erin Ward from Star Benefit Auctions, with assistance from her “spotter” and husband Bobby D. Ehlert and her “scribe” Jennifer Mensler.

Auction items included:

*Lunch for four with Mary Mackintosh; Kathie O’Callaghan, the Founder and President of Hearts & Homes for Refugees (HHR); and Amy Robertson, HHR Program Director, at La Casa Bronxville, donated by Spencer Pingel, Mary Mackintosh, Kathie O’Callaghan, and Amy Robertson

*A five-course “Chef’s Tasting” Dinner with Wine Pairings for six at Underhill’s Crossing, donated by Steven Palm

*New York Giants or Jets Suite Tickets for two with VIP parking, donated by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL

*A Round of Golf for Three at the Fishers Island Club, donated by Kate Milliken Vaughey

*Lunch for Four with Mayor Mary Marvin at the Field Club, donated by Mary Marvin and Linda Graef Jones

*A five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu with Cocktails and Wine for eight at La Casa Bronxville, donated by Spencer Pingel and La Casa Bronxville

*A “Magic of Mexico” Seven-Night Stay for Four in an award-winning luxury resort

*And a special raffle item: two orchestra tickets to Cabaret on Broadway, donated by Ellen Edwards and Tiffany Tinson

Many thanks to everyone who donated these items and to all who enthusiastically bid on them!

The Counseling Center wishes to thank the dozens of additional people who made its Spring Gala a great success. Heartfelt thanks to Linda Graef Jones and Gail Cook, who organized the event; Beth Fulton, who secured the underwriters; Denise Kaloudis and Tiffany Tinson, who arranged the auction items; Kate Milliken Vaughey, who took the photos; Rosemary Campion, who designed the printed material; and Office Administrator Racquel Clarke, who devoted many hours behind the scenes.

Our sincere thanks to the team at Siwanoy Country Club, including Theresa McCarthy, Director of Catering; Kevin McGuirk, General Manager; Anibal Romero, Executive Chef; Tony Ramirez, Captain of Service; and the entire staff who worked so hard, both before and during the event, to provide exceptional service.

Flowers for the beautiful table centerpieces were provided by Mrs. Morgan’s Flower Shop.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Virgil Roberson and Clinical Director Jennifer Naparstek Klein, The Counseling Center offers help for individuals and couples, adults and children of all ages.  Its staff, known for its many years of experience and warm rapport with clients, provides both in-person and teletherapy (video and phone) sessions. The entire staff attended the gala, including Lynn Evansohn, Kathy Cosgrove, Jennifer Jordan, Janice Moore, Catherine Nicholas, Natalie Redcross, and Dick Shoup.

The board and the staff of The Counseling Center wish to express our enormous gratitude to everyone whose contributions made this year’s gala a memorable experience of inspiring stories and a successful fund-raising event.  With your help, the Center will continue to meet the mental health care needs of residents throughout Lower Westchester.

The benefactor of the event was The Mary Hoch Foundation.  The Underwriters were Maureen and Bill Barton, Banyan Street Real Estate Funds, LLC, Deirdre and Mike Doheny, Judy Foley, and Sarah and Bob Underhill.  The Sponsors were Lisa Kundstadter and Nick Stephens, Margaret and John Torell, Elinor Urstadt, David and Sherrie Westin.

The Counseling Center in Bronxville offers therapy for individuals, couples, and families, through video platforms, telephonically, and in person.  Please feel free to reach out if we can help, by calling Dr. Jennifer Klein, 914 793 3388. To keep abreast of ongoing information and activities at The Counseling Center, or to make a donation, please visit our website at https://counselingcenter.org/.