Liza Long Challenges Audience to Talk about Mental Illness at Annual Spring Fundraiser for Lindner Center of HOPE

Liza Long with luncheon guests including Craig and Frances Lindner
Liza Long poses with luncheon guests, including Frances and Craig Lindner.

Over 320 people were in attendance at an annual spring fundraiser for Lindner Center of HOPE on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 to be inspired by keynote speaker Liza Long.

Long, author of the nationally recognized essay, “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother”, was the keynote speaker at Showering You With HOPE, luncheon and auction, on April 21, 2015 in Hyde Park.

The title of Ms. Long’s keynote speech was “From Talk to Action: Ending Stigma, Finding HOPE.”

Ms. Long is a writer, educator, mental health advocate, and mother of four. One of her children suffers with bipolar disorder. In 2007, she started writing a blog called The Anarchist Soccer Mom, where she first published her December 2012 essay, “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother” which discussed her personal tragedy as it intersected with the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Since her essay published, Ms. Long has become a national speaker and contributor to several publications, and has also written a book, “The Price of Silence: A Mom’s Perspective on Mental Illness.” Read more about Liza Long at lizalong.com.

Showering You With HOPE was the 7th annual spring luncheon presented by High Hope’s, Lindner Center of HOPE’s fundraising auxiliary. Proceeds from the event benefit patients at Lindner Center of HOPE.

Event co-chairs were Anne Ilyinsky and Marcie Warrington.

Photos by Robert Flischel