The Village for Families and Children, a Hartford-based nonprofit and social-services agency, has launched a $1.3-million expansion project aimed at serving thousands of additional area residents.
The organization, which provides behavioral-health, youth-development and substance-abuse treatment for children, families and adults in Greater Hartford, on Thursday said it started redeveloping an unused, 8,500-square-foot space at its 331 Wethersfield Ave., headquarters in Hartford’s South End.
Officials say the former trolley repair facility, across the street from Bulkeley High School, will be overhauled into an adult behavioral health services wing.
According to plans, the warehouse space will be converted into 21 individual therapy rooms and three group rooms. Additional bathrooms and an entrance to the adult services wing will also be added, and 1,700 square feet of existing adult services space will be used to expand services for children and families.
A pharmacy, food pantry and clothing exchange may also be added to the new space.
The expansion project is being funded by a $1 million grant from the state of Connecticut and another $300,000 investment by The Village.
Construction commenced Thursday as the organization expects demand for its adult services to double in the next two years, according to The Village, which said demand has steadily increased in recent years due, in part, to the opioid crisis.
The Village says it processed 160 requests for adult services in January. By comparison, it processed 128 adult services intakes in 2016, said Amanda Hemmelgarn, the organization’s associate vice president of outpatient services.
“This expansion will allow us to grow adult services, develop new programs, support more people and provide a sustainable resource for Hartford,” Hemmelgarn said.
Last fall, The Village announced it hired state Sen. Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) to oversee the organization’s development, communications and marketing as the new vice president for advancement.
