Press Releases

Caron Treatment Centers Hosted 28th Annual New York Gala on May 11th to Benefit Caron’s Mission of Recovery for Life

Gala Honored Dennis Leibowitz for his Longtime Dedication to Treatment and Recovery; Harold Owens of the MusiCares Foundation was also Honored

New York, N.Y. (May 12, 2022) – Caron Treatment Centers, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to substance use disorder and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education raised $850,000 at its 28^th annual New York Gala to support the expansion of services and access to treatment. More than 450 guests were in attendance at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York on May 11th.

Dennis Leibowitz, the former General Partner of Act II Partners, LLC, was honored with the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence for his longtime, significant advocacy - from spearheading capital campaigns to board leadership. The award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate the caring and compassion exemplified by Caron’s founders. Additionally, Harold Owens, who recently retired from the MusiCares Foundation, received the Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band performed.

“Dennis and Harold are exceptional individuals. They are the heroes who help save lives by quietly doing whatever it takes to remove barriers to treatment and recovery so that more families can thrive,” said Brad Sorte, President and CEO of Caron. “I am very grateful that we have an opportunity to honor them for their tireless efforts.”

Mr. Leibowitz retired as the former General Partner of Act II Partners, LLC, a hedge fund that specializes in shares of media and communications companies. Prior to the formation of Act II Management, LP, in 2002, Mr. Leibowitz was a Managing Director Senior Advisor at Credit Suisse First Boston, which acquired Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette in November 2000. Mr. Leibowitz was an equity analyst and Senior Vice President at DLJ for 23 years. He began his career on Wall Street in 1963 as a trainee at Merrill Lynch and moved up the ranks at several other firms before joining DLJ in 1977. Mr. Leibowitz is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, having received a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1963.

In addition to his career as an esteemed Wall Street analyst, he has been deeply committed to supporting Caron. He is a member of Caron’s New York Regional Advisory Board and Caron’s Corporate Board of Trustees. He has also helped many people receive treatment at Caron through the years.

Harold Owens has specialized in the field of addiction treatment for the entertainment, legal, and medical communities for the past 32 years. In 1999, he was hired by the MusiCares Foundation, the charity arm of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, also known as the (GRAMMY® Organization), as the Senior Director of the MusiCares/MAP Fund, where he was responsible for the implementation of all aspects of its addiction recovery program, including treatment services, outreach, case management and provider contracts.

A good friend to Caron, he currently serves on The Neil Lasher Music Fund Board raising financial assistance for recovery treatment in honor of former Caron New York Gala co-chair and addiction recovery advocate Neil Lasher. They worked closely establishing Safe Harbor Room—a sober space backstage for those in need of a supportive drug and alcohol-free environment—that runs annually during GRAMMY® week.

Mr. Owens is also a frequent moderator and panelist for Caron webinars and at numerous music and entertainment industry conferences that address the problems of addiction. In 2001 and again in 2006, Harold received Official Certificates of Commendation from Mayors’ James Hahn and Antonio Villaraigosa for Outstanding Service to the City of Los Angeles in the field of Addiction Recovery.

Substance use and mental health disorders continue to be prevalent in the U.S. at an alarming rate. Funds raised at the Gala help more patients and their families access Caron’s unique services offered for teens, young adults, women, men, and older adults. The Caron New York Recovery Center offers screening and education, early recovery support groups and family engagement, provides a healthy environment for alumni activities and holds Parent Support Groups throughout the New York Region. Last year, with the help of generous donors, Caron provided $8 Million in financial assistance to treat more than 500 patients.

About the Caron New York Gala

The Gala co-chairs are Kevin Abernathy, Cortney & Kevin Beebe, Denise LeFrak Calicchio, John Greed, Hans Humes, Tracey Jackson, Jill Jordon, Karen Marks & Rich Pagano, Michael McDonald, Joan Melville, Judy & Tim Ryan, Juliana Terian, Jason Weinstock and Paul Williams.

The Gala Steering Committee includes: Molly Helfet and Susan Fromm (Co-Chairs), Jennifer Bandier Boyarsky, Zac Clark, Angela Deering, Karen Fitzgerald, John P. Fitzsimons, Candy Higgins & Steve Martin, Jason Mack, Ross Peet, Miles A. Rubin, Judy Ryan and Jennifer Urbahn.

Caron Treatment Centers

Caron Treatment Centers is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education. Headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, our mission is Recovery for Life. For more than 65 years, we have helped thousands of individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families begin to manage this chronic, treatable disease. Caron provides a continuum of care for teens, young adults, women, men, and older adults. Caron’s signature programming provides concierge treatment for executives, healthcare professionals and older adults. In addition to the Pennsylvania campus, Caron provides services in Palm Beach County, Florida, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Caron accepts several major insurance plans and provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, please visit caron.org or @CaronTreatment.

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