Hometown Heroes in Behavioral Health honored by the Lake County ADAMHS Board Celebrated on the field before a Lake County Captains game
MEDIA RELEASE:
Contact: David Schick
The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
Phone: 440-350-2193
Email: DSchick@LakeADAMHS.org
August 22, 2025
Hometown Heroes in Behavioral Health honored by the Lake County ADAMHS Board
Celebrated on the field before a Lake County Captains game
Mentor, OH – August 21, 2025: Heroes are not just found on movie screens or in comic books—they live and work in our community every day. Behavioral Health Heroes guide and support those in crisis, helping individuals find safety, stability, and hope.
On Thursday, August 21, the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board honored 16 outstanding Hometown Heroes in the field of behavioral health during a special ceremony before the Lake County Captains game. These individuals were surprised at their agencies with recognition packages that included Captains team gear, game tickets, and a certificate of appreciation.
Cheered on by coworkers, family, friends, and fans, the honorees took the field to be recognized for their compassion, expertise, and dedication to saving and improving lives across Lake County.
The Lake County ADAMHS Board funds, monitors, and evaluates services from 16 agencies that are essential in providing mental health and addiction recovery services. Each agency selected one Hometown Hero to be recognized:
- Janice Jones – BRIDGES: Mental Health Consumer Empowerment
- Sharon Shoemaker – Catholic Charities, Lake County
- Amanda Woodcock – Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
- Madalynn Mokwa – Crossroads Health
- Cassandra Frye – Extended Housing
- Ally Abruzzino – Family Pride of Northeast Ohio
- Olivia Doty – The Fine Arts Association
- Jane Bagnall – Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers
- Jenn McLaughlin – Lifeline / 2-1-1
- Donald Lambert – NAMI Lake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Leisha Gary – Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare / Community Services Network
- Dakota Dehn – Signature Health
- Crystal Adams – Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance
- Joshua Zarowitz – University Hospitals (Lake West & TriPoint Medical Center, Emergency Department)
- Erika Sherman – Windsor Laurelwood Center for Behavioral Medicine
- Sandra Schultz – WomenSafe
The ADAMHS Board congratulates these heroes for their compassion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children, adults, and seniors across our community.
About the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. For more information, visit www.HelpThatWorks.us.
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