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St. Anne Institute Officially Opened Doors to the Beacon Crisis Residence

On March 11, the St. Anne Institute officially opened the doors to the Beacon Crisis Residence, an Office of Mental Health (OMH) licensed program designed to provide a critical safety net for youth in crisis. 

Michelle Parady, CEO and President of St. Anne Institute, shared that the Beacon was created for youth who find themselves at a crossroads. “We know that a lot of kids that are experiencing mental health crisis don’t need services in the ER… but they can’t sustain safely in their home environment,” Michelle explained. The facility offers these youth a “safe place to stay to restabilize, regroup, and return to their home setting” where they can receive counseling and leave with the “supports to thrive”. 

The heart of the program is reflected in a hand-painted mural created by case manager Mackenzie Callahan. Every handprint on the wall represents a youth or family supported by the program, and as youth graduate from the Beacon, they add their own handprint to “recognize their time, the way that they’ve grown and adapted”. 

The ribbon-cutting, emceed by Mark Eagan of the Capital Region Chamber, marked the completion of a dedicated six-year undertaking. The ceremony was attended by a broad coalition of leaders, including Congressman Paul Tonko, Senator Patricia Fahy, County Executive Dan McCoy, and Deputy Mayor Chris Ellis, who shared a message of encouragement from Isaiah 43:19: “See, we have done a new thing and this is fantastic”. 

State and local officials expressed their ongoing advocacy for the “human infrastructure” and sustainable investment required to meet the increasing behavioral needs of the community. 

Michelle concluded by thanking the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the internal staff from maintenance to finance who worked “diligently and tirelessly” to bring the program to fruition. “I want to thank you and celebrate the fact that you trust us to care for your youth in the most critical time of need,” she said. 

All 2026 ribbon cuttings of the Capital Region Chamber and its affiliates are sponsored by Community Bank, N.A.