Looking Forward With Hope, 2022 Annual Report
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIRS
Thank you for helping move us forward.
We’ve spent the past year looking forward. Forward to serving our most vulnerable citizens through innovative services. Forward to a new chapter in the City of Bristol as we start construction on our 46,000-square-foot community health center and flagship location.
Our ability to look forward is made possible through support from every corner of our community, from enthusiastic participation in our Campaign for Bristol, to generous contributions to our Basic Needs Fund, and enduring involvement in our golf classic. We truly could not do the work we do without our donors, sponsors, friends, and volunteers, and we appreciate each and every one of you.
Because of YOU, we eagerly look forward to continued expansion of programs and the delivery of compassionate care through our community health centers, including the services already launched at our newest health center at 91 Northwest Drive in Plainville, the original site of our children’s outpatient services. We’re also looking forward to providing new intensive outpatient and foster care services for youth in Waterbury, delivering affirming, inclusive care for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones, and so much more.
Because of YOU, we are where we are today. With the leadership of incoming Board Chair, Mary Rodier, we’re moving forward to a better tomorrow.
Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA
President and Chief Executive Officer
James Moylan
Chair, Board of Trustees, FY 22
Mary C. Rodier, CPA
Chair, Board of Trustees, FY23
Mission and vision
Board of Trustees
Champions of Progress
Year in Review
Impact of Philanthropy
Outcomes
By the Numbers
Champions of Progress
Donor support is essential to our ability to deliver compassionate, whole-person care. We are especially grateful to our many donors who help us to look forward.
Lois Aaron
Marian Acker
Estate of Hall Adams
Allaire Elder Law
Barnes Group Foundation
Melissa Barton and Alexander Hoerman
Christopher Beausoleil
Steven and Meredith Biscoglio
Lori Ann and David Brantner Charitable Fund
Brown & Brown of Lehigh Valley
Camilliere, Cloud & Kennedy
CIGNA
Howey Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Connecticut Chapter, CPCU
Mary R. Connolly and Stephen Allaire
Elaine and Richard Couture
D’Amato Construction
Patricia Duclos-Miller
Rebecca Eleck-Bruce, MD
Executive Search Professionals
Brian Ferratto
Figure Eight Properties
Genoa Healthcare
GetzBalich
Gibbs
GO Media
Gawdys Grullon, MPA
Charles and Karen Herbert
Daniel Herens
Mary and Peter Hess
Lee Hoffman, MD
Holcomb Farm
Dennis and Mary Keenan
Karl Krapek, Sr.
Joanne Leon, PhD, LCSW
The Brian and Marilyn Lindsay Foundation
Tina Loarte Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CIC, CPPS, CPHRM
M&T Bank
Manafort Family Foundation, Inc.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
W.B. Mason
Mary McDonald
Cristy A. McNaney, PsyD
McPhee Electric
Middlesex United Way
Mitchell Auto Group
Mott Corporation
Jacqueline and David Mott
Jim and Janet Moylan
Mutual of America
Kimberly Nelson, LCSW
Richard Neville
Martha and John O’Brien
Brian O’Donnell
OutFront Media
Pratt & Whitney
Prime Buchholz, LLC
Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts
Quest Diagnostics
Todd Raymond
Raytheon Technologies
Pierre and Karen Richard
Mary and Louis Rodier
RYAN Business Systems, Inc.
Sally B. Sarkissian
Nicolangelo Scibelli
Athena Sczcesniak, MBA
Licedia Souchet
John Sponauer
Myron and Desiree Stewart
Judith A. Stonger, MA, CPS, CARC
TD Banknorth
Tecton Architects, P.C.
Jane and Dick Tedder
Ann E. Thomas and Michael B. Bonzagni
Thomaston Savings Bank
Tollman Spring Company, Inc.
William and Laurie Torres
Rachel and Richard Tressy
Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA
Michael R. Twist, DO
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
United Way of West Central Connecticut
Julie and Larry Vigil
Francis and Erin Vincent
Voya Financial and its employees
Susan and Kenneth Walkama
Whittlesey
Dennis and Tamara Williams
Hyekyung Yang, PhD
Yarde Metals
YMCA of Greater Hartford
Year in Review
BREAKING GROUND, ENCOURAGING HOPE
It’s been an amazing year for Wheeler, with many milestones to mark our progress, from earning national recognition for quality care delivery, to advancing plans for building an approximately 46,000-square foot community health center and administrative headquarters between North Main and Hope streets in Bristol, opening in 2023. This will help to anchor the downtown Bristol Centre Square development with professional jobs and accessible health care for the entire community.
Hosted ribbon-cutting and rededication of Wheeler’s newly renovated and expanded Family Health & Wellness Center in Plainville. The event honored the 50-year history of the center, where ground was first broken in October 1972 as a site focused on children’s mental health services, and which has since expanded through the decades to now include a full continuum of care, including primary care for all ages.
Expanded services and renovated unfinished space at its New Britain community health center, allowing it to serve more medically underserved individuals and families. Changes are possible through $2.1 million in funding from the State of Connecticut.
ADDRESSING EMERGENT NEED
With support from State Representative Liz Linehan (D-103) and other members of the Connecticut General Assembly, we launched an intensive mental health outpatient pilot program for children and teens, part of comprehensive child mental health legislation through which Wheeler received $650,000 to create and offer an intensive outpatient program for children and teens through its Waterbury community health center.
We joined two other providers in an innovative civilian crisis intervention program in Hartford called the Hartford Emergency Assistance Response Team (HEARTeam), which initiative offers an alternative response to emergency 9-1-1 calls involving Hartford residents in emotional and mental health crisis. HEARTeam responders assist in situations where specialized non-law enforcement intervention is most effective.
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Received six out of eight Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) following an annual Uniform Data System (UDS) review for 2021. Tied for the most awards in the state, and awards received placed Wheler in the top one-third of centers nationally. The badges recognize quality improvement achievements in access, quality, health equity, health information technology, and COVID-19 public health emergency response. In nearly every case, the awards received by Wheeler placed it in the top one-third of centers nationally.
Earned Behavioral Health reaccreditation from The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body for providing quality, coordinated, patient-centered health care. Evaluation was based on compliance with behavioral health standards spanning several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; emergency management; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm.
Received an evaluation of 95 out of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.
INSPIRING LEADERS
Teodoro Anderson Diaz, MS, MSW, LCSW, LADC, vice president of Health and Wellness Center Outpatient Services, received the 2022 Latino in Leadership Award at the 7th Annual National Latino Leadership Conference. The 2022 National Latino Leaders list highlights individuals who have achieved success in their careers while paving the way for other Latinos to advance in the corporate arena.
Connecticut Clearinghouse Statewide Opioid Response (SOR) Project Coordinator, Thomas Fulton, received the 2021 Prevention Professional of the Year award from the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals (CAPP). Tom spearheaded the development and implementation of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)-funded statewide awareness campaigns, including the “Change the Script” opioid awareness campaign and the “Let's Mention Prevention” alcohol misuse prevention during COVID-19 campaign.
Impact of Philanthopy
Wheeler has reached 86 percent of its $500,000 fundraising goal for its downtown Bristol flagship health center at One Hope Street. Announced in winter of 2022, the public campaign was launched with the support from Barnes Group Foundation and other local philanthropic investors. Funding for the entire health center project is made possible through a combination of loans, allocations from Wheeler’s endowment, private giving, and public grants. The Wheeler Board of Trustees achieved 100 percent participation and reached its $100,000 goal for members as part of this campaign.
37th Annual Golf Classic, Presented by Mutual of America Financial Group
Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers took part in Wheeler’s 37th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group, and the event grossed a record-breaking $100,000 to support individuals and families in care through Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund. The total amount raised through this event is more than $1.3 million since its inception in 1986.
Main Street Community Foundation Grant Supports Walk With Me Program
Wheeler received a $5,000 grant from the Bristol Brass General Grant Fund at the Main Street Community Foundation to support its Walk With Me program. The grant will be used to support the work of a peer support specialist, and enhance and expand parent/caregiver services for LGBTQIA+ families.
Wheeler Mott Partnership Enters Sixth Year
Wheeler and Farmington-based Mott Corporation have entered the sixth year of an innovative corporate partnership with two strands: local community health outreach and employee-driven volunteer engagement from Mott employees, called Mott Health Ambassadors. Since the inception of this partnership, Mott employees have donated nearly 550 hours as part of the partnership.
Hundreds of Thanksgiving Meals for Wheeler Patients
Through the support of private donors and our community partners, Wheeler provided more than 325 Thanksgiving meals for patients in need at our Family Health & Wellness Centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury this year. Gnazzo's Food Center in Plainville delivered dry grocery items for the patient holiday bags, which were supplemented by a gift card to a local grocery store to buy perishable items of their choosing, such as a turkey.
A Gift for Students, Patients
A $100,000 gift, from the estate of Hall “Cap” Adams, Jr., a longtime philanthropic investor in Wheeler’s work, is supporting Wheeler’s campaign for a new health center in Bristol, as well as numerous programs benefiting students at Northwest Village School in Plainville. Mr. Adams passed away in Illinois in June 2020 after a notable and generous life, including a nationally recognized career in advertising. Working with his estate, two priorities quickly emerged that honored his life’s legacy and passion for providing others with opportunities for good health and quality education. A fitness trail was recently installed at the school, reflecting Mr. Adams’s priorities.
Heartfelt Gratitude
Seven organizations and individuals were recognized by Wheeler for outstanding support of its mission at the organization’s 11th Annual Hands & Hearts event, held virtually, including
Genoa Healthcare® (Headquartered in Renton, WA)
With on-site at pharmacies in Wheeler’s community health centers in Plainville, Hartford, New Britain, and Waterbury, Genoa Healthcare® is a true care partner. Committed to combatting the country’s opioid crisis and epidemic, the organization plays an integral role in Wheeler’s medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction programs and offers NARCAN for patients and families to save lives from overdose. Over the past year, the organization provided COVID-19 vaccines through Wheeler’s community health centers. For many years, Genoa Healthcare® has been a steadfast supporter of Wheeler’s Annual Golf Classic and other events, and more recently, its Basic Needs Fund.
GO Agency (Hartford, CT and Atlanta, GA)
GO Agency, Wheeler’s marketing agency of record since 2014, has been instrumental in building overall brand awareness for Wheeler and its strategic service areas. GO Agency is a steady contributor to Wheeler’s major events, including the Golf Classic, Evening of Wonder Gala, Farm to Table 50th Anniversary event, and more.
Dennis and Mary Keenan (West Hartford, CT)
A former executive director of Wheeler for two decades, Dennis Keenan led the organization through significant growth, with a $1.7 million budget in 1978, to $12.5 million at the time of his retirement in 1998. Dennis started his career at Wheeler as head of Northwest Village School in 1974. He and his wife, Mary, are generous investors in Wheeler’s work, supporting the Basic Needs Fund, Northwest Village School, and providing a vision for innovative ways to grow, through their own gifts and through the Main Street Community Foundation.
Karl J. Krapek (Avon, CT)
Year after year, Karl J. Krapek has supported the Wheeler Golf Classic, by sponsoring golfers, attending the event, and generously donating to tournament goals. His role in supporting and and shaping our state and its health care system is even greater. Karl served as president and chief operating officer of United Technologies Corporation from 1999 until his retirement in January 2002. He has been a leader at Trinity Health of New England / Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford for more than four decades. His dedication to improving the health of Connecticut is demonstrated through the Karl J. Krapek, Sr. Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at the hospital. He is also a director of Northrop Grumman, Prudential Financial, Inc. and American Virtual Cloud Technologies, Inc.
Ann E. Thomas and Michael B. Bonzagni (West Hartford, CT)
An independent non-profit consultant and former Wheeler board chair from 2007 to 2009, Ann oversaw the leadership transition between the late David Berkowitz and Wheeler’s past President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Walkama, LCSW. This past year, Ann and Michael made a significant investment in Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund, further enhancing the organization’s ability to meet the basic needs of underserved individuals and families.
Outcomes
68,586
Total number of individuals with whom Wheeler interacted or provided direct care.
This data point reflects the following:
30,138, the total number of patients with whom Wheeler interacted through direct care, telephone, and outreach activities.
38,448, inquiries to Wheeler’s Access Line pertaining to statewide substance use, treatment, and support resources, an increase of nearly 18 percent of FY21 because of the ongoing opioid crisis.
100%
The 2021-2022 Northwest Village School graduation rate, compared to a statewide special education graduation rate of 69.1 percent.
124,625
Individuals impacted by Connecticut Clearinghouse services, including dissemination of prevention, wellness, mental health promotions, substance use treatment and recovery materials; trainings, conferences, and forums; statewide prevention and awareness campaigns; and more.
3,097
Wheeler is the largest provider of Mobile Crisis Intervention Services in the state, serving youth in crisis and providing 3,097 episodes of care.
1,146
nutrition visits, follow ups, instructional sessions, and patient interactions that happened through Wheeler’s Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, and Waterbury community health centers.
54,644
Substance abuse, prevention, and mental health materials were distributed through Change the Script, a statewide opioid prevention campaign managed by Wheeler’s Connecticut Clearinghouse and funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
700+
Youth served through Wheeler’s Access Mental Health CT program, which provides behavioral health consultation to primary care doctors in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, and New Haven Counties.
2,941
Bags of fresh produce were delivered to Wheeler community health center patients through the Holcomb Farm Fresh Access program.
13,128
Total number of patients seen at Wheeler’s five community health centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury.
By the Numbers
