To: NJAMHAA Members and other Stakeholders

Keep Budget Advocacy Going

with these Inspiring Examples of the Value of Behavioral Health Services

and the Workforce!

"My life has truly been shaped, and continues to be by Preferred Behavioral Health Group's School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) in Brick Schools and I am so grateful to be a part of it."

Nick Spanola, MS, LPC

SBYSP Director

Former Program Participant

Brick Township High School

"After my freshman year at Brick Memorial High School, I was selected as a Peer Leader through the SBYSP. As I moved forward in high school, I started having more difficult life situations that brought on a lot of stress for me. Due to my comfort with the SBYSP, I was able to get connected with counseling services there. This support greatly helped me navigate these difficult times in my life," Nick added.

"My involvement in the SBYSP played a huge part in me pursuing a career in the mental health field," said Nick, who earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and completed internships at this SBYSP. He joined the Brick Memorial High School SBYSP staff as a Youth Development Counselor about five years ago and has been promoted to Mental Health Counselor at Brick Township High School and again more recently to the position of Program Director. 

"The Bridge helped me to mold myself in becoming the person I am."

Marcus St. Vil

Youth Liaison, Marketing Coordinator and Data Analyst, The Bridge

Rutgers University Business Student

Throughout much of his childhood, Marcus experienced a lot of time alone, was extremely shy and had difficulty developing friendships. During high school, he volunteered at The Bridge and gradually assumed leadership roles, including manager and host of a podcast. 

Marcus works full-time at The Bridge as a Youth Liaison, Marketing Coordinator and Data Analyst. At the same time, he is carrying a full course load, studying finance and managerial accounting at Rutgers University, and he aims to start a business after he gains more work experience.

“I just want to be the person that I wish I had when I was their age. I struggled through so much...Even if I can just be there and let them know that they are here and they are heard and they are loved, that they belong, that, to me, is all that matters because I promised myself that if I ever got through those moments in my life, I would be that for somebody else."

JP Pedoto, LSW

Pride+, Program Coordinator and Clinician

Family Connections

Click here to hear more about JP and his dedication to helping others in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Everyone's Advocacy Is Needed Now!

Please share Nick, Marcus, JP and others' uplifting stories in advocacy to your local legislators!

Click here to read more success stories in NJAMHAA's campaign brochure and here to watch videos that feature additional inspiring examples of the value of behavioral healthcare services and the workforce who provides them.

Please share these links on your websites and social media pages!

Also, please encourage your staff, Board members, other colleagues, friends and family members to advocate!

Thank you for joining NJAMHAA in this critical advocacy effort!