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HOLBROOK, N.Y. (Feb. 27, 2020)—American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (AP)—a privately-held, independent broker/dealer that services financial advisors across the country—is pleased to spearhead a public service awareness initiative through its production of a short film documentary addressing drug addiction and the opioid crisis on Long Island in New York. The short film entitled “Unspoken, Now Told: Recovery Stories,” premiered at several Suffolk and Nassau County high schools throughout February, with one last showing to occur at Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School on Friday, Feb. 28.
The film project’s inception stems from AP’s long-standing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its mission to usher forth good corporate citizenship. “We have always allocated time and resources to serve people and places we are connected to—more specifically, through our CSR efforts, in which AP gives us a platform to do good work in our communities, in turn, making the world a better place for everyone,” states CEO Lon T. Dolber. “We are fortunate to have the means by which we can produce thought-provoking and actionable content through the firm’s media production arm. At some point, each and every one of us will be touched in some way by the ongoing opioid crisis; it is our hope that this documentary will give its viewers pause and start conversations that will lead to positive outcomes.“
“Unspoken, Now Told: Recovery Stories” was produced collaboratively in AP’s video production facility, Studio 454, by members of the firm’s marketing and corporate communications department, affiliated AP investment professional William Donahue (Holbrook, NY), AP’s Director of Supervision Mauro D’Addato, and freelance film editor John Fallon. The short film, which includes an introduction and closing statement from former NBC news anchor Jane Hanson, features four subjects—each of whom are in recovery from drug addiction and now serve as peer advocates for drug recovery programs. Each subject reveals their personal story of struggling with drug addiction and rising through it to achieve recovery. The team responsible for the short film consulted with several program leaders, including Executive Director Kym Laube of HUGS, Inc. (Human Understanding and Growth Services), to ensure the content was represented fairly, accurately and ethically. “American Portfolios’ investment of time and money in the production of this public service announcement is commendable,“ states Laube. “The opportunities to turn this into something sustainable, giving it longer legs and roots by teaming up with student groups in the schools to raise awareness, change practices and policies, considerably increases the probability for a positive health impact in the community.”
An advertising spot for the film is currently airing on News12 Long Island, which features Laube, former News12 anchor Drew Scott and HUGS, Inc. Peer Advocate Krystle Stoddard. Unspoken, Now Told: Recovery Stories is available for online viewing at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CrNs2pQ8Ao.
Among the series of premieres held throughout February, the short film’s showing at Hampton Bays High School was attended by 130-plus students, faculty members and administrators, after which two of the recovering substance addiction film interviewees, addressed the students and answered a multitude of questions speaking to the desired effect of the presentation. In attendance, as well, was AP’s Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications Melissa Grappone, whose account of the event confirmed the power of the documentary, along with the awareness and engagement it elicited. “To witness the reception of these personal interviews captured on video and shown on a theatre-sized screen in a high school-filled auditorium of students was a very different experience than watching it in a post-production editing room,” reflects Grappone. “It was very impactful. These women and men in recovery who shared their stories and have made themselves accessible to their communities to combat this opioid crisis are inspiring and courageous individuals.” Based on encouraging initial responses, AP hopes the PSA will serve as an effective tool to bring about awareness of the widespread problem that exists on Long Island and beyond—a positive example of what can be accomplished when educators, business owners and non-profits are brought together to help a community.
AP’s ongoing association with nonprofit organizations supported through its own non-for-profit, AP Foundation, Inc., most notably include: World T.E.A.M., which organizes athletic events for adaptive and able-bodied citizens to achieve a common goal; The Center for Discovery, a leading provider of health care and education services for more than 1,200 children and adults with complex conditions, medical frailties and Autism Spectrum Disorders; Virtual Enterprises International, Inc., an experiential learning program that fosters the nation’s future business leaders; Honor Flight – Long Island, a nonprofit organization that provides military veterans with free trips to visit the war memorials located in Washington, D.C.; Long Island Cares, which provides nutritional food and support services for a network of more than 580 community-based member agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, child care programs, disability organizations, veteran services programs and more; and The Butterfly Effect Project, a program that empowers young girls by giving them the tools to assist in achieving emotionally-stable and self-confident futures, in hopes of bringing forth a generation of women who are strong, independent and knowledgeable.
About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service, independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Both entities, along with technology entity American Portfolios Advisory Solutions, LLC, collectively reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. (APH). Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company currently supports 837 independent investment professionals, including registered assistants, and more than 377 non-registered associated staff members, located in 398 branch locations throughout the nation. It was named Broker-Dealer of the Year* (Division III) by Investment Advisor magazine in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019; a wealthmanagement.com 2019 Industry Award Finalist in the category of Enhanced Customer Service Support**; one of the Best Companies to Work for in the state of New York for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and the Best Companies Group (BCG); and one of the Top Long Island Workplaces for 2018 by Newsday.
* Based on a poll of registered representatives conducted by Investment Advisor magazine. Broker/dealers rated highest by their representatives are awarded “Broker/Dealer (B/D) of the Year.”
** Wealthmanagement.com Industry Award finalists are selected by a panel of independent judges made up of subject matter experts in the industry. Award is based on support provided to AP’s affiliated people and does not reflect public customers nor their account performance.
About American Portfolios Foundation, Inc.
Headquartered at AP’s corporate offices in Holbrook, NY, American Portfolios Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization—created in New York in 2004, then amended in 2018—designed to advance awareness, assistance and support for charitable causes aligned with American Portfolios’ CSR efforts in the following five areas: 1) veterans, 2) individuals with disabilities, 3) medical/health, 4) mentoring/education and 5) local community outreach. Board members include AP CEO Lon T. Dolber, president; AP Chief Administrative Officer Dalchand Laljit, vice president; and AP Chief Financial Officer Damon Joyner, treasurer/secretary. Additionally, various roles are held by members of AP headquarters staff. The board meets on a quarterly basis to discuss its existing relationships with various charities and to determine the focus for various upcoming initiatives that will require the Foundation’s services and support.
About HUGS, Inc.
Human Understanding and Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving the youth and communities of Suffolk County for over 35 years. HUGS, Inc. provides individuals, families, schools and communities with prevention education strategies aimed at reducing high-risk behaviors among our youth, while fostering positive attitudes to improve all areas of life.
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