Fellowship Health Resources opens new peer center in Seaford
Fellowship Health Resources Inc., a nonprofit mental health and substance abuse treatment agency with programs across Sussex County, will host a ceremony to open its new Acceptance, Change, Empowerment Center at 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15. Ribbon-cutting for the new center is slated for 4 p.m.
A supported housing component for adults will open at the ceremony as an addition to the resource center that opened last month. FHR President/CEO Joe Dziobek and FHR Board Member Michela Coffaro, PsyD, ACSW, will open the new A.C.E. Center at 547 Bradford St. in Seaford.
In conjunction with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, community members, local artists, and FHR members will paint a mural under the Stein Highway Bridge. Local artist John Donato will design the mural, called the Stein Highway Bridge Mural of Hope. Work will begin on the painting project two days prior to the opening of the new center so that its completion corresponds to the opening ceremonies.
“The mural’s design is inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem 'Hope,'” says FHR Director of Program Services Laura Marvel. “We are encouraging anyone from the community to participate. The theme will be present in the grass, blue sky, feathers, and leaves of the mural and we’re hoping that there will be some dedications made to parts of the painting if people want to paint ‘in name of’ or ‘in memory of’ someone.”
“The complex is adjacent to the Stein Highway Bridge,” says Regional Director Ken Donovan. “Local radio station Eagle 97.7 WAFL will be broadcasting from the event and many local politicians and members of the Department of Health and Social Services will be in attendance. We’re really excited to launch this new program that will serve the needs of many community members.”
Business sponsors, whose names appear on the pillar blocks of the bridge, have helped make this mural a reality. The A.C.E. Center is the 10th FHR program to open in Delaware. “We continue to build on our solid foundation while maintaining an excellent reputation,” Donovan says. “With this project, we targeted a specific area and have a wonderful opportunity to provide much-needed new resources to the community.”
In addition to the transitional housing complex opening Sept. 15, the A.C.E. Center offers educational and employment services, health and wellness, arts, culinary, and horticultural programs.
For more information about Fellowship Health Resources Inc., visit www.FellowshipHR.org.
