King County Executive Ron Sims will present awards for exemplary service in the mental health field to five organizations, including Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), at a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 5, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., Seattle. ACRS Executive Director Diane Narasaki and Consejo Counseling and Referral Services Executive Director Mario Paredes will jointly receive the Legislative Advocacy Award for their persistent efforts earlier this year to protect mental health services for the most vulnerable people in King County.
“It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to recognize two individuals who have used their talents to make a difference in the lives of people in our community,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Diane Narasaki and Mario Paredes kept the door open on mental health services for people who really need them.”
The King County Department of Community and Human Service’s Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division will also honor at the Oct. 5 ceremony: Corinne Wegener and Salud Integral on Consejo for Advocacy; Johnny Ohta of Ryther Child Center for Direct Service; YMCA Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System for Service Innovation; and Warya Pothan of Neighborhood House for Systems Integration.
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