My name is Robert, and I’m reaching out to ask for your support for a cause that has changed my life and the lives of so many others: the Manhattan Adult ADD Support Group.

Our group was founded in New York City in early 1992 by Paul Jaffe and a partner with a simple but powerful goal — to create a safe, understanding community for adults living with Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD). I joined in November 1993 upon learning that I might have ADHD, searching for support and understanding.

By 1995, I became part of our first steering committee, and since 2000, Paul and I worked side by side to keep the group alive and thriving, even when resources were scarce.

In 2025, Paul retired, and today I lead the group alongside Marie Mercado, Psy.D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who brings expertise, compassion, and dedication as our Co-Facilitator. She has over 15 years experience working in both outpatient clinics and in-patient psychiatric hospitals all over NYC, as well as conducting individual psychotherapy for adults and partners in relationships in private practice. Her website is: https://drmariemercado.com/

For over 28 years, our group met  in person in a Church on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. When the pandemic forced us to stop live meetings, We found out about Zoom, We started to use it, and our members got used to using it as a way of staying connected to the group.

Something else started take place. We started to get people from all over the US and even foreign countries who wanted to participate. We welcomed them. The common bond everyone shares is having ADD/ADHD*

Our mission is simple yet profoundly important:

To empower adults with ADD/ADHD to live their best lives.
Adult ADD/ADHD affects millions worldwide. Yet many struggle in silence due to stigma, misunderstanding, and lack of accessible support. 

Our group provides:
A safe space to express themselves & get validation for what they are going thru
Emotional support
Practical resources
Shared lived experiences
A judgment-free community
Hope and connection

If you would like to be put on our mailing list to get the Zoom link for our meetings, please send an E mail to: webmaster@maaddsg.org (please include your fist name & E mail address).
We also have an E mail based discussion forum on Groups.io. If you would like to join us there please send an E mail to:
ManhattanAdultADDSupportGroup+subscribe@groups.io. In the Subject line, write Subscribe.
If you want to introduce yourself in the body of the E mail, you may.

We are often the only consistent support system many of our members have.
But we cannot continue without financial help.
Funds raised will go directly toward:
Maintaining our website  https://maaddsg.org

Covering our Zoom platform costs

Supporting our outreach efforts 
We use PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo for direct donations. 

Please note: These are direct contributions to our group and are not affiliated with Change.org’s “chip-in” feature.

For Paypal, log into your paypal account, chose to give money , and type in : robertfrombk@hotmail.com in the send to field.
For Zelle, go to your on line bank account, find send money, choose Zelle and choose TD Bank. My E mail is robertfrombk@hotmail.com.
For Venmo, log into your venmo account, click Pay or Request, and type in Robertfrombk ; Robert B should come up.

Your support is more than a donation. It is:
A stand against stigma
An investment in mental health visibility
A lifeline for adults who feel isolated
A commitment to ensuring no one has to navigate ADD/ADHD alone
Please consider signing and sharing this petition. With your help, we can stabilize, grow, and continue serving adults who desperately need community and understanding.

Together, we can ensure that no one feels alone on their journey with ADD/ADHD.
Thank you for your time, compassion, and support.

Remember, We Are Not Lazy, Crazy, or Stupid 😊

*Please note: the DSM 5 has now re-categorized it as ADHD (with an in attentive  subtype). Those of us who have ADD/ADHD know better. 
There are different personality issues at play - Hyperactive vs non hyperactive, etc. In our group, we understand the nuances that people with ADD/ADHD have, and give members the space to express themselves. For historical perspectives In 1992, the DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd Edition, Revised) was the version in use.