In Tribute to Joseph Anthony Libbon M.D.
June 14, 1924- April 2, 2019
In tribute to Dr. Joseph Libbon an advocate, a pioneer in community mental health service and the founder of Mohawk Opportunities, Inc.
It is with sadness that we share the news that Dr. Joseph Libbon passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at the age of 94. Dr. Libbon played an instrumental role in opening Dominion House and thus is the founder of Mohawk Opportunities, Inc.
Dr. Libbon served as the Chief of Psychiatry at Ellis Hospital was a pioneer in the Community Mental Health movement that emerged in the later years of the 1960’s. At that time the only resource for individuals suffering from severe mental illness in Schenectady County was the State Hospital in Utica. Dr. Libbon knew that those individuals could be better served with community based services and he initiated an effort to establish a “half-way house” that could offer support and assistance to women (and later men) returning to the community from extended hospital stays helping them regain their independence and autonomy. He was joined in this effort by the Schenectady County Junior League and in 1968 Dominion House opened its doors becoming the 4th program of its kind in New York State and only the second outside of New York City. Today, fifty (50) years later, Dr. Libbon’s dream lives on – Dominion House continues to be a valuable resource for the Schenectady County community. In much the same manner as it did when it first opened in 1968 Dominion House offers individuals with a severe mental illness a safe, stable place to stay and provides them with necessary supports as they stabilize and prepare to transition to a more permanent living situation.
We are grateful to Dr. Libbon for his efforts to establish Dominion House and all he did to ensure individuals with mental illness are treated with respect and have access to the services they need to succeed.
Photo Taken in 1993 at the Dominion House 25th celebration. Dr. Libbon with Eileen Cregg, Executive Director (Retired) of Mohawk Opportunities, Inc.