Celebrating Wheeler’s New Community Health Center and Headquarters at One Hope Street, Bristol

On July 30, more than 200 community leaders, donors, supporters, friends, and employees attended a remarkable celebration of Wheeler’s One Hope Street headquarters and health center, which will begin primary care services on August 13 and all other services beginning on August 19.

In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, state and local community leaders and partners offered remarks, from insights on the organization’s history in the city, to hopes for what Wheeler’s expanded Bristol presence means for individuals and families. Speakers included:

• City of Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano; 
• Nancy Navarretta, MA, LPC, NCC, commissioner, Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services; 
• Wheeler Board of Trustees Chair Mary Rodier; 
• Thomas Barnes, chairman emeritus, Barnes Group, Inc.; 
• Kurt Barwis, president and chief executive officer, Bristol Health; 
• Julia Burkhardt, PharmD, director of operations, Genoa Healthcare; 
• Katie D’Agostino, president and chief executive officer, Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce; 
• Dr. Frank Gregory, administrator, Children’s Behavioral Health Community Service System, Connecticut Department of Children and Families; and
• State Representative Mary Fortier (D-79th District) also spoke, and members of Bristol’s legislative delegation were acknowledged for their support and attendance, including State Senator Henri Martin (R-31st District), State Representative Joe Hoxha (R-78th District), and State Representative Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77th District). 

Wheeler President and Chief Executive Officer, Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, thanked attendees and acknowledged the commitment and vision of past organizational leaders. “What we build is hope, in every program and in 60,000 people, in 90 percent of the state’s cities and towns, every year,” she said. “We can do that today because of the people who came before us yesterday.” 

Trocchi acknowledged the contributions of donors throughout a multi-year fundraising campaign, which raised $606,000, exceeding an original fundraising goal of $500,000. “More than 400 private donors contributed to our Campaign for Bristol, from gifts of $1 to $100,000,” she said. “We could not be here today without them.”

Donors contributed to the campaign through outright gifts and pledges; participation in the 38th Annual Wheeler Golf Classic, which netted approximately $78,000; or by sponsoring a named brick at One Hope Street; more than 130 inscribed bricks are outside of One Hope Street’s front entrance. Approximately 20 individuals or organizations contributed more than $10,000 in gifts or pledges. 

Significant campaign contributions were made by:

• Barnes Group Foundation, which made the initial anchor pledge of $100,000; 
• Wheeler’s volunteer board of trustees, who exceeded their goal of $100,000 through 100% participation; Wheeler leadership, who exceeded their goal of $80,000; 
• the estate of Hall “Cap” Adams, Jr., which is supporting an education 
• and training area; 
• the family of Ray Corsini, Wheeler’s longest-serving trustee, who are supporting a second teaching and demonstration kitchen in a Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center and nutrition services and programming in Bristol; 
• Voya Financial®, through matching contributions and employee giving; 
• an anonymous donor’s support in memory of former Wheeler Executive Director David Berkowitz, PhD; 
• the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation; and more.

During his remarks, City of Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano thanked Wheeler for its perseverance and welcomed the organization to Bristol. “Wheeler will embody the goal of family health and wellness and bring hope to the future of Bristol’s overall well-being,” he said. “We are especially excited to meet the staff, which represent new jobs to Bristol, and also to those from around the state that will walk downtown every day when they are in for training,” he added.

Following the formal program, Wheeler employees led tours of the 46,000-square-foot facility, which showcased Wheeler’s integrated approach to care and wellness and impact of services in Bristol. Guests also enjoyed delicious food from Bristol establishments, including Cookie Dough Cookies, Latin Cravings, The Parkside Cafe, Sabaidee Thai Restaurant, and South Side Meat Market, with support from Suburban. 

In addition to a full array of behavioral health, primary care, and addiction treatment, new services, such as an on-site Genoa Healthcare® pharmacy, Bristol Health Outpatient Lab Services, and more will be offered.