Caron Treatment Centers Hosts 27th Annual New York Gala on September 9 to Benefit Caron’s Mission of Recovery for Life

Gala to Honor The Clark Family for Their Commitment to Family Treatment and Recovery
Caron President Emeritus Doug Tieman and Caron NY Board Member Miles Rubin Will also be Honored

New York, N.Y. (August 3, 2021) – Caron Treatment Centers, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education expects to raise $1 Million for Caron’s financial assistance program at its 27^th Annual New York Gala to support treatment for adolescents, young adults and their families. More than 500 guests are expected to attend the event at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York on September 9.

Caron alumnus Zac Clark and his family will be honored with the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence for their significant impact on families affected by substance use disorder. The award is presented annually to individuals who, in the estimation of the Caron Board, demonstrate the caring and compassion exemplified by Caron’s founders. Additionally, Doug Tieman who stepped down in June as President & CEO of Caron after 26 years, will receive the Allen H. Arrow Achievement Award. Miles Rubin will receive the Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award. The Fab Faux will perform.

The Clark family includes: mother, Beatrice; father, Doug; sisters, Kathryn and Rachel; and brothers, Zac, Matt and Rob. Zac, the co-founder of Release Recovery, a sober living and recovery services organization that services Westchester County and New York City, has organized and led Caron’s New York City Marathon team and is on the Caron Corporate and New York Boards. Through his family’s support, this month marks Zac’s 10-year recovery anniversary. Matt is on Caron’s DC Board and Beatrice and Doug have shared their generosity in advancing Caron’s mission of Recovery For Life. Leading up to the Gala, Caron will share stories about the Clark family on its social media platforms.

“We’re excited to honor Zac and the entire Clark family,” said Brad Sorte, President and CEO of Caron. “The Clark family’s unwavering commitment to treatment and recovery combined with their openness and authenticity about their collective experience has made a difference for thousands of other families struggling with substance use disorder. Addiction is a family disease and they are an inspiring example of the transformative power of recovery.”

In fact, substance use disorder and mental health issues continue to be prevalent in the U.S. at an alarming rate. Drug overdose deaths rose by close to 30% in the U.S. in 2020 – more than 93,000 – hitting the highest number ever recorded, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.

Zac’s challenges with substance use began in high school, and worsened following surgery to remove a brain tumor where he was given morphine and opioids. After years of struggling with a substance use disorder, Doug entered Zac into treatment at Caron Pennsylvania following his attempt to cash a forged check from his father’s account at a bank. After four-and-a-half months at Caron, Zac reentered society sober and motivated. Zac teamed up with Justin Gurland to start Release Recovery which focuses on the reintegration of rehabilitated people back into society. His sister Kathryn played an integral part in his placement on the ABC reality program, “The Bachelorette," as she was the one who submitted his profile to the show. Zac eventually won the heart of “Bachelorette” Tayshia Adams, and the couple was engaged on national television last December.

“My family is truly honored and humbled to receive the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence, and we are so grateful for Caron,” said Zac. “I am indebted to my family for their love and support during my toughest moments on this long journey, from realizing I needed help, throughout my battle to achieve sobriety and maintaining it every day. Caron’s revolutionary treatments and recovery services gave me the tools to help me turn my life around and provided me with a second chance. Simply put, without my family and Caron, I wouldn’t be here today.”

During the event, Tieman will be recognized for his career achievements. Under his leadership, Caron became one of the world’s premier treatment providers, leading the way in education, prevention, research, and treatment. Tieman greatly enhanced Caron’s presence in the sector – opening regional facilities in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., and Florida, and spearheaded the expansion of Caron’s medical expertise through the development of the Carole and Ray Neag Medical Center on the Berks County campus and the forthcoming Keele Center in Florida. Likewise, he championed the need for scientific research and physician training – consistently advocating for the importance of much needed standards and outcomes in the treatment sector. He realized that goal this year with the announcement of a first-of-its-kind medical research center on Caron’s campus in December, which will be named the Fran and Doug Tieman Center for Research. His philanthropic prowess also paved the way for the organization to provide more than $200 million in financial assistance for treatment scholarships during his 26 years at Caron.

Rubin, a Caron NY Advisory Board Member and Gala Steering Committee Member, brought Music Matters to Caron in 2009 to raise funds in helping musicians that were in need of treatment. Music Matters has been an annual highlight of Caron NY’s event season. He is a Managing Director at UBS and a Founding Partner in the Rosegarten/Rubin Financial Group. In addition to his commitment to Caron, he has helped raise funds for cancer and multiple sclerosis research. He currently resides in Westchester County with his wife, Susie, and their family.

About the Caron New York Gala

The Gala co-chairs are Fran Arrow, Courtney & Kevin Beebe, Denise LeFrak Calicchio & John Calicchio, Laurie & Peter Grauer, John Greed, Hans Humes, Tracey Jackson, Jill Jordon, Dennis Leibowitz, Judy & Tim Ryan, Juliana Terian, Fran Tieman, and Paul Williams.

The Gala Steering Committee includes: Molly Helfet and Susan Fromm (Co-Chairs), Jennifer Bandier Boyarsky, Diane Calderon, Angela Deering, Karen Fitzgerald, John P. Fitzsimons, Justin Gurland, Candy Higgins, Brian Hogan, Celine Kaplan, Jason Mack, Steve Martin, Ross Peet, Miles A. Rubin, Judith Ryan, Jennifer Urbahn, and Kaitlin Zintak.

Media Contacts

Matt Ciesluk, Senior Director, BML Public Relations
mciesluk@bmlpr.com
704-258-3896

Kristin Campbell-Salamone
Corporate Director of PR & Communications, Caron
215-292-5526 | kcampbell-salamone@caron.org

Katie Kennedy
Senior Vice President, Gregory FCA
610-731-1045| caron@gregoryfca.com

For gala ticket/table/ad information contact caronnygala@buckleyhallevents.com