October 19, 2012

FELLOWSHIP PLACE RETURNS HOME

by Allan Appel, NH Independent

Fellowship Place Director Guerrera, state Rep. Dillon, Board Chair Ron Netter, and Sen. Blumenthal.

Clients, officials and staff gathered at Fellowship Place on Elm Street.

They joined together for the long-awaited grand reopening of Fellowship Place, New Haven’s pioneering clubhouse and rehab center for adults with mental illness.

Officials praised the public/private partnership that the renovation represents. Added 14-term New Haven state Rep. Pat Dillon: “It stabilizes the community and it stabilizes people. If you’re in isolation, you’re more likely to be hospitalized. It’s a very powerful place. This was never a bureaucrat’s dream. It grew from the community up.”

Some 60 percent of Fellowship’s budget comes from the state. About 600 clients come to Fellowship place every week to get job training, re-start their educations, or just for a meal or to chat.