The New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma has awarded Christ Church in Hackensack its 2016 Ambassador Award. This year's recipients are faith-based organizations and clergy committed to “Reducing Stigma Through Faith-Based Service: Promoting Wellness and Recovery.”
For over a decade, Christ Church has hosted community dinners with the On Our Own drop-in center and local Rotary clubs. They also hold a seat on the City of Hackensack's Stigma Free Committee. Led by Board President Louis Knaub and Executive Director Mary Sunden, Christ Church Community Development Corporation passed a resolution declaring itself Stigma Free in 2015. This led to their sponsoring the Stigma Free resolution at the January 2016 Annual Diocesan Convention.
“We are deeply appreciative of this honor and thank all those who support our efforts to help the most vulnerable in our community,” said Knaub. “We encourage all churches in the diocese to participate in the stigma free initiative and provide mental health first aid training.”
