Seven years ago the then Board Chairmen Ed Samul welcomed me to First Step as Executive Director. On that very first day he gave me an "assignment." My very first "assignment" was to find the agency a new and permanent home- a home that would provide a comfortable and welcoming place for clients as well as staff. At the time the entire agency rented a very old 3 story building on Green Street. The Oasis Center occupied 400 square feet or so on the ground floor. The MIRP and Basic Skills Program occupied dark and dank basement rooms that were prone to flooding. Staff offices occupied the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building with 4 or more staff per office. There were no computers for clients, no adult education program, no elevator, no outside area for gardening and limited parking for agency vehicles. Heat and air conditioning were spotty at best. And while I usually find old buildings charming, there was nothing charming about the Green Street building.
It has been seven years since I got that first "assignment" and I have spent much time, as did the previous executive director, looking for a permanent and suitable home for our agency.
The merger of Integrated Behavioral Health and First Step presented an opportunity to leave Green Street. All of our programs were consolidated at State Street- the home of our merger partner Integrated Behavioral Health. Soon after space became available at 21 Montauk and some administrative staff were re-located to allow for the expansion of our Outpatient programs. And while the Montauk and State Street buildings have provided good office space for clinicians, line staff and administrators the space occupied by the Oasis program is less than desirable. The space is small and cramped and poorly ventilated. Programming is difficult and there is no space for staff offices. Staff and clients have had "to make do" with just a small portion of the State Street 2nd floor.
Through a collaboration with the Department of Developmental Disabilities we will be able to finally provide a home for our Social Rehabilitation Program. I am so very pleased to tell you that early next year the Social Rehabilitation Program and Employment Services will move to their own 4000 square foot building on Bank Street very close to our Montauk Avenue site. This building has been used by the Department of Developmental Disabilities to house a similar program and as a result the space is perfect for our programs. We imagine a building that will have dedicated programming spaces as well as a "Great Room" with comfortable home like seating to encourage socialization. There will be a dedicated classroom space that will house our Adult Education program and other skill building programs. The building also contains a full kitchen, laundry room and showers that will be used to support Basic Living Skills and MIRP programs. The building also has an outdoor patio area perfect for barbecues and space for raised beds for gardening.
Over the next few weeks Don Hazzard, Property Services Director and Claudia Olson, Social Rehabilitation Program Coordinator will be planning the relocation with the goal of being fully moved in by early January. And of course there will be a ribbon cutting and Open House celebration that all are invited to! I hope to see you there to celebrate with our Oasis colleagues and clients!
Be Well!
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