Eric Kunish likes to joke that his mission is to put "DBT skills into the drinking water."

Behind the humor is a simple belief: the skills taught through Family Connections™ can change lives, and as many people as possible should have access to them.

Eric and his wife, Ellen, first found BPD Alliance while searching for ways to better support their adult children living with mental illness, including borderline personality disorder. What began as a search for help soon became a calling to help others.

Over the years, Eric has co-led over 17 Family Connections classes, coordinated local support groups, facilitated book clubs, volunteered at leader trainings, and advocated for greater awareness in his community. Whether he's organizing a NAMI walk, welcoming new families, or finding ways to make people smile with one of his trademark T-shirts (with DBT sayings on them), Eric has spent his retirement doing what he says matters most: making a difference.

"I wanted to help my kids and show I care," he said. "Rather than retire".

One moment from Family Connections has stayed with him ever since. During a class on radical acceptance, Eric realized he needed to let go of the future he had imagined for his loved one and embrace the possibility that recovery might look different than he had expected.

"It was an epiphany," he recalled. "Recovery could happen. It just wasn't going to look the way I thought."

This year, BPD Alliance recognized Eric's years of service with the CARE Award for Access. True to form, he accepted the honor with characteristic humility.

"I know there are people who can do this better than I can," he said. "But I'm still good enough, and virtually everybody else can be good enough too."

His message to others is just as straightforward.

"Come join us," he said. "Join the party."

Through his enthusiasm, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping families find support, Eric has opened countless doors for others. His CARE Award celebrates not only the work he has already done, but the welcoming spirit that continues to invite more people into the BPD Alliance community.