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It was a fantastic day on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 for the 10th annual Picnic for Parity held in Battery Park.

The first information tables I saw were from the Family of Artists located in Queens. It was full of information relating to art, which I am very interested in. The first person I met after arriving on the 1 train to South Ferry was Miriam Wexler, the Secretary for the National Picnic for Parity, Incorporated. She has helped me greatly throughout my progress and development. She introduced me to Tom O'Clair, father to the late Timothy O'Clair whose untimely death lead to legislation called Timothy's Law for equal insurance coverage for mental illness. The Picnic was in memory of him.

Randy Rivera whose daughter Angelica Rivera succumbed to the same fate as Timothy O'Clair was a very passionate speaker at the event: "Only together and with love can we make a difference," she said. Tom O'Clair was another passionate speaker and very moving. He said it was "wonderful...to have outreach for the public where people can go for help for something (mental illness) that is treatable..."

The music bands were outstanding! It really added to the upbeat atmosphere of the day. The many organizations represented were Harlem Bay Network Clubhouse, the New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, the Institute for Senior Action, the National Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Urban Justice Center, Baltic Street Mental Health Board, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the Mental Health Association, Right for Incarcerated People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD) and many more.

Some of participants preferred Bryant Park last year because of the proximity to the Business District, and access to more adults strolling through the park. Marlene Lifsey of Harlem Bay Network commented: "…very nice event with a lot of information for people who need help for youth, young adults and seniors with organizations they did not know existed…They should do this twice a year!"

In summary, the day's event was full of valuable information for the public under a most joyous atmosphere!

It was a fantastic day on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 for the 10th annual Picnic for Parity held in Battery Park."