History of the Samaritan Awards

Since the summer of 2000, the Suffolk University Counseling Center developed and coordinated a program designed to raise awareness on campus regarding the signs of depression, prevention strategies, treatment options, and ways to support those who suffer from the disorder. The program is called: Action for Depression Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment and is known by its acronym, ADAPT.

The ADAPT program relied on the Suffolk University community for additional assistance in building a caring environment.  Each year the Suffolk Samaritan Awards were granted to students, faculty, staff, administrators, and groups on campus for the purpose of creating and delivering projects, events, and activities which:

• enhanced awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression;
• addressed issues related to depression prevention or treatment; and
• displayed consistency with the goals and vision of ADAPT.

All students, faculty, staff, and administrators were encouraged to apply.

For each academic year since the summer of 2003, at least three grants, each with a maximum award of $1000, were offered.  This was a wonderful opportunity for members of the Suffolk community to share their wisdom, creativity, and energy to develop projects that build on the efforts that have been made over the past years.  (Funds had to be used for project supplies, materials, and outside consultants/resource people only and could not include compensation for an applicant’s time or involvement.)

Applicants had to be currently enrolled students (in good standing) or employees in order to qualify for an Award.  Proposals were judged based on:

• Creativity/Originality
• Relevance to the goals of ADAPT
• Clarity and thoughtfulness of proposal
• Short and long-term impacts
• Adequacy of the budget
• Adequacy of the program evaluation.

Please click here for previous Samaritan Award Projects.

More information about the ADAPT program is available at:  http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/4421.html
Follow the link to Samaritan Awards for additional information.

The Co-Directors of the ADAPT program are:

Dr. Lynda Field
617/573-8226
lfield@suffolk.edu

Dr. Paul Korn
617/573-8226
pkorn@suffolk.edu

(revised 11/20/08)