News from Wheeler

It’s been a remarkable year for Wheeler as we’ve honored our past 50 years and also accelerated growth that will carry us into the next 50.

As our 50th anniversary draws to a close, we asked Wheeler's leadership team for their thoughts on how the organization has evolved and grown for five decades. Here are some of their thoughts.

Our work for the past 50 years has always been focused on creating hope and positive change in in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

From the moment a group of community visionaries came together in the late 1960s to establish a center for treating children's mental health needs in Plainville, Wheeler has always been different.

When longtime friend, Bill Torres, reached out to Chris Skelly eight years ago about becoming involved with Wheeler, she was open to his recommendation.

From the early start-up years to the leading edge of addressing today’s opioid crisis, Wheeler’s addiction programs have consistently approached the disease of addiction with innovative methodologies at the intersection with other health conditions.

Through our five decades, side-by-side with our funders, donors, community leaders and friends, we’ve transformed from that vision of a center for children, to today delivering an array of integrated primary care and behavioral health services as diverse as everyone we serve.

As we’ve celebrated our 50th anniversary this year, we’ve highlighted partners in our work, including AFCAMP, Saint Francis Healthcare Partners, FAVOR, the Connecticut Health Foundation, the Town of Plainville, and many more.

The following 50th anniversary stories highlight the leadership and contributions of two local residents and brothers, Ron and Rick Bucchi. Both individuals served on the Wheeler Board of Trustees and were instrumental in helping to guide the organization through periods of notable expansion.

Wheeler’s driving vision of innovation has long been supported by similarly visionary donors, and few fit that description better than Mary Fran and Peter Libassi.

Jane Tedder’s role in Wheeler’s success is both subtle and wide-ranging. A former trustee and vice chair, she helped the organization refocus, adapt, and change in important ways that ensured long-term growth. Today, she’s volunteering again, shaping philanthropic approaches during Wheeler’s 50th anniversary.

Every year in December, a select few Wheeler employees receive the Anna Tedesco Award in recognition of outstanding work. Since the award began in 1983, nearly 120 employees have become recipients, from all areas and levels of Wheeler.

Nearly two decades ago, Jeff Loureiro was approached by former Plainville State Representative Betty Boukus (D-22) about the potential for an outdoor community project at Wheeler’s Northwest Village School, just across the street from his company at 91 Northwest Drive.

Nearly 250 donors, friends, and leaders from throughout Wheeler’s history celebrated its 50th anniversary on September 29 and helped raise more than $145,000 for services, a record for fundraising events at the organization.

On the day of our 50th anniversary celebration, a look back at some of the events to remember from Wheeler's past.