Fellowship Place Announces the Grand Opening of our Psychosocial Rehab Center

On October 18, 2012, Fellowship Place hosted the grand opening of our newly renovated Psychosocial Rehab Center. Joining Fellowship Place’s Executive Director Mary A. Guerrera for the morning dedication and ribbon cutting were Fellowship Place’s Board President Ronald A. Netter, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Patricia Rehmer, and State Representative Patricia Dillon. Over 100 New Haven community leaders, collaborators, and dignitaries were on scene. Fellowship Place members also participated in the opening; attendees heard a personal account of the impact the renovations have had on the men & women who come to the center for a variety of illness management activities and programming.

The new state of the art center, completely renovated with a $1 million Connecticut State Bond Fund award and private donations is a $1.2 million investment that will have a lasting impact on our neighborhood and its long-term revitalization goals. The building includes expanded program & meeting spaces to help us better meet the needs of the men & women who come to our campus annually for meals, rehabilitation, counseling and a variety of support services.

For over 50 years, Fellowship Place has offered a safe place where those with chronic mental illness in our community can ask for and receive help overcoming the challenges of living with their illness. On a campus setting in downtown New Haven, our agency serves more than 600 people annually of which the majority suffers from Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depression. Open 365 days per year, we provide a safe and therapeutic environment where those suffering from chronic mental illness may find productive ways to structure their day and connect with others who face similar life challenges. Programs are designed to improve individual functioning and management of one’s own mental illness, including but not limited to: Prevocational & Vocational Services, Supported Education Services, Supported Housing Services, Homeless Outreach & Engagement, an Alternative to Incarceration day reporting program (CREST), Social & Recreational Activities, Health & Wellness Programming, Life Skills Management, and daily meals. The agency is committed to helping the mentally ill, their families, and the public realize that with proper treatment and support, people with a mental illness can be successful and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.