Integrity House, the nationally recognized non-profit substance abuse rehabilitation center with locations in Newark, Secaucus and Jersey City, will be hosting its annual Past, Present and Future Gala on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Bridgewater Marriott. The highly-anticipated event is held each year to help Integrity House provide its women clients with the resources, programming and support that are crucial to their recovery.
The black tie event will include a reception, silent auction and an evening of music featuring classical guitarist João Kouyoumdjian, vocal artist Caroline Braga, and the big band sounds of Alan Quinn and his Orchestra. Kouyoumdjian is a graduate of The Julliard School and the school of São Paulo, has traveled globally to perform, and now currently teaches at the Newark School of the Arts. Braga, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, is noted for her beautiful lyric sound and expressive communication with her audiences. Soprano Nadine Herman, Music Director and voice teacher at The Newark School of the Arts, who received her Master’s Degree from The Juilliard School, will serve as the artistic director of the musical performances at the Gala.
The theme of this year’s Gala is the “Year of the Lotus” and celebrates Integrity House’s 47 years of providing substance abuse treatment and services. Lotus flowers blossom on long stems floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire, which fortuitously represents the body and mind breaking itself free from the muddy waters of addiction, and blossoms into the beauty that is recovery. The flower is much like Integrity House’s diverse client base of people who are using their strength and determination to take control, gain a foothold on sobriety, and strive towards a happy, successful and healthy life.
Through its annual Gala, Integrity House recognizes local leaders who continuously make a difference in the community and in the lives of those who suffer from addiction. This year’s honorees are:
Ron Beit: Ron is the founding partner and CEO of RBH Group, LLC, and president of RBH Management, LLC, asset and property management companies. Ron’s professional passion is in Newark, where he has been an active participant in helping the city become prominent in NJ by acquiring, developing, rehabilitating, and/or operating over 6 million square feet throughout downtown Newark. RBH is currently developing the groundbreaking Teachers Village project and the Four Corners Millennium project in the historic core of the city, as well as Makers Village in the Ironbound. He recently joined the Integrity House Board of Directors in October.
Franco Porporino Jr: Franco, born in Wayne, NJ, is a philanthropist, mentor, producer, actor and restaurateur, and manager of Emmy Award winner and four-time Golden Globe nominee Armand Assante. Franco recently received the Young Italian American Entrepreneur Award from The Italian Tribune in recognition of his remarkable record of service to the community and for his entrepreneurial spirit and success with his restaurant, Fresco, in Montclair which recently received the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Services. He was also nominated as one of the top five people to know in NYC in 2012 by Pinstripe Magazine. He rarely turns down the opportunity to help someone and is deeply committed to helping those impacted by substance abuse. Franco plays a true supporter of Integrity House as an ambassador of adolescent males and supports many charities along with the Anti-Bullying Car Show Rally.
The Gala will also commend Vivian Ahrens and Mary Elizabeth O’Connor with the Heart of Integrity Award for their devoted dedication to Integrity House, and for providing meaningful service and guidance to those in need. The event will also recognize and applaud past Integrity House clients, Kelly Rainer and James Williams, for gaining the strength to change their lives and serving as superlative role models for those still struggling with addiction by showing them that recovery is possible.
“During these tumultuous times of heroin and opioid abuse and addiction, our annual Gala helps us to continue to expand our services and provide highly-effective treatment programs to the increasing number of individuals battling daily for their recovery,” said Robert J. Budsock, President and CEO of Integrity House. “All of the generous supporters and donors have allowed us to build much-needed facilities and programs, such as the Harrison A. Williams Life Readiness Academy and our Initiative for Women and Children, to help combat the substance abuse problems afflicting New Jersey. Therefore, we’d like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who helps to make the Gala an immensely important, successful and enjoyable event, each and every year.”
To learn more about Integrity House and the full continuum of care it provides, please visit www.integrityhouse.org.
