Caron Treatment Centers Hosts 29th Annual New York Gala on May 10th to Benefit Caron’s Mission of Recovery for Life

New York, N.Y. (May 11, 2023) – Caron Treatment Centers, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to substance use disorder and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education raised more than $1 million at its 29th annual New York Gala to support Caron’s mission and access to substance use disorder treatment. More than 550 guests were in attendance at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York on May 10th.

Lauren and Jay Springer were honored with the Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence award for their longtime dedication to Caron’s mission, their work in the recovery community and their tireless efforts educating and guiding families through addictions, saving thousands of lives over the past twelve years. The award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate the caring and compassion exemplified by Caron’s founders. Additionally, Dina LaPolt, a powerhouse entertainment attorney and member of the Neil Lasher Music Fund board, received the Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award for her tireless determination to provide financial assistance for addiction treatment and recovery to those in the music business. The award was presented to LaPolt by Grammy-award winning artist Autumn Rowe, who also performed. In addition to Rowe, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes performed at the Gala.

“It gives me great pleasure to honor Lauren, Jay, and Dina, for their commitment to helping the people and families struggling with substance use disorders. The struggle can be a lonely one, and this year’s honorees have dedicated their work to ensure people know they don’t have to face it alone,” said Kris Bashore, Chief Operating Officer for Caron Treatment Centers. “I am very grateful that we have an opportunity to honor them for their efforts.”

For Lauren Springer, what started as seeking refuge and support in Nar-Anon, and her son’s first admission to Caron, led to starting a Caron-affiliated support group for parents in Bergen County, New Jersey. In the power of the group experience, Lauren recognized parents of children in treatment need as much education as their children. This experience and vision led Lauren to a position as the Director of Family Relations with Turnbridge, an extended care program for adolescents and young adults in Connecticut.

Jay Springer, who has had a long career in wealth management, joined with two other fathers of children in recovery to become the ‘3 Papas,’ now known for their series of My Child and Addiction podcasts. The 54 episodes of My Child and Addiction have been downloaded approximately 190,000 times, helping thousands of parents.

Seven years ago, Lauren and her husband Jay also began contributing to the Catherine Caron Fund to support family education and recovery. Today, those funds continue to educate countless parents and families. Lauren continues to provide individual support to parents with their own recovery process, facilitating daily parent support group meetings and hosting a rich educational series each month through the support of Turnbridge. Jay has been a member of the Caron New York Advisory board for the past 10 years. Lauren holds a Master’s degree in social work in adolescent health care from the University of Pennsylvania. Jay earned a Master’s degree in finance from New York University.

Dina LaPolt is the founder of LaPolt Law, a Los Angeles-based law firm representing some of the world’s top entertainers and entrepreneurs. She also serves as a forceful activist for creators and celebrities, working on legislative matters that affect the rights of her clients.

In 2021, LaPolt was honored for her activism in the Black community as the recipient, alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump, of The Black Music Action Coalition’s Agent of Change Award. In 2019, LaPolt became the youngest attorney — and only the second woman in history — to receive The Recording Academy’s prestigious Service Award at its annual Entertainment Law Initiative event. That same year she was inducted into Billboard’s Women in Music Hall of Fame.

Since 2022, she has served on the board of the Neil Lasher Music Fund — a program of Caron that provides financial assistance for addiction and recovery treatment to those in the music business. LaPolt has been in recovery since April 19, 1998.

LaPolt is a graduate of John F. Kennedy University College of Law, has a Bachelor’s in music from the State University of New York, New Paltz, and has taught and lectured throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

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 $7.3 Million in financial assistance to help individuals seeking treatment.

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 nearly 70 years, we have helped thousands of individuals struggling with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders 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. We also provide concierge treatment services through our signature programming for executives and older adults. Our campuses in Pennsylvania and Palm Beach County, Florida are anchored by state-of-the-art medical centers and we have offices in 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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Media Contacts:

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