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GÁNDARA 40TH ANNIVERSARY
A Journey From Past to Present: Gándara Celebrates 40 Years of Service
Sitting in the Norman Street administrative offices in West Springfield,
Gándara Center Executive Director Henry Julio East-Trou has seen
his share of industry changes and tremendous growth within the
agency over the past 35 years. Of the 40 years Gándara has been in
operation, East-Trou has spent most of those years in a leadership
role navigating the agency through an ever-changing industry.
Reflecting on his 35 years of service to Gándara, East-Trou shares
the Gándara Center’s history from its inception and how the
agency was propelled from an Outpatient Clinic in Springfield to
Gándara Center Executive Director
the state-wide entity Gándara is today. Henry East-Trou (left) with the
first Hispanic Executive Director,
History:
In 1977, and later as a part of President Jimmy Carter’s Mental Health
Systems Act of 1980, funding was made available to communities across the
country to address the mental health needs of individuals suffering from serious
mental illness including the elderly, and racial and ethnic minority communities. The
City of Springfield submitted a city-wide application that included both the needs for
the Hispanic and African-American communities. This funding strengthened the city’s
mental health services and the development of the Jose N. Gándara Mental Health
Center, Inc. and the WW Johnson Life Center, Inc.
The Gándara Center was named in honor of Dr. José N. Gándara Cartagena (1907–
1954), a prominent physician and public servant from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Gándara
dedicated his life to servicing those who could not afford medical care, urban renewal,
eliminating poor housing, and the construction of public housing. The Gándara Center
embodies Dr. Gándara’s goals and work—as a philanthropist and symbol in his
community—and the center used his legacy as the foundation of its mission and values.
Humble Beginnings:
When the Gándara Center’s doors at 2155 Main Street in Springfield (the Outpatient
Clinic) first opened, no other agency in the area specifically met the needs of
providing culturally sensitive care to the Hispanic community. In the early years, the
non-profit’s first Hispanic Executive Director Dr. Philip Guzman laid the foundation
for what the agency would later become; his vision and advocacy for
the Hispanic community set the Gándara Center apart from the
competition.
“The issue was largely unnoticed and there was not equal access
to services,” said East-Trou. “The state was unaware of the
growing need for specialized services, but Dr. Philip Guzman really
advocated for these services. He truly understood the impact to
the community.”
In 1982, East-Trou joined the Gándara team as a supervisor for
the agency’s psychiatric day treatment program, funded by the
Philip Guzman. Department of Mental Health. Gándara’s roots were planted deeply in
Springfield with only one location and approximately 30 staff to house
all of its programs—residential, outpatient, and substance use.
“I always wanted to be a clinician,” said East-Trou. “It’s like putting together
pieces of a puzzle. Being able to sit with someone you don’t know and try to learn
their concerns and needs. We all have stories. That’s what you bring with you and your
view of the world.”
Understanding a person’s cultural “lens” is where Gándara stands out, said East-Trou.
When individuals are met with an understanding of their challenges and needs, it
eliminates a barrier to them seeking help.
While East-Trou hadn’t planned on making a move to an administrative role, a new
opportunity was on the horizon. When the position for Executive Director became
vacant, the Gándara Center Board of Directors approached and encouraged him to
apply. In 1989, East-Trou took the wheel as Executive Director and has been at the
helm since.
“I really had a lot to learn,” said East-Trou, reflecting on his early days in the position.
“I learned so much about contracting, making connections and networking, and
making sure advocacy was at the core of this organization.”
East-Trou said he felt an enormous sense of responsibility to the Hispanic community.
It’s something he carries with him today.
From one location to 40—Growth and Impact: What’s next? dara Ce
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As the state reconstructed its behavioral health care needs, contracts for programs Keeping up with industry changes and establishing

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were awarded to appropriate organizations throughout Massachusetts. Recognizing
the value of the services being provided, the Gándara Center was awarded several
connections where Gándara’s services are valued
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of these contracts—creating new programming throughout its service territory and and the Gándara Center, as well as a focus su

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expanding from its roots in Western Massachusetts. Industry needs changed and on patient-centered care and meeting the
growth was inevitable. Services expanded, additional programs were created, and individual where they are for treatment.
staff size increased. Today, Gándara is home to more than 40 behavioral health,
“The advantage of coming to Gándara is
substance use, prevention, and educational services throughout the state—based in
that all of our services are bilingual and
both eastern and western Massachusetts—employs over 860 staff, and serves over
bicultural,” said East-Trou. “Individuals in
10,000 adults, children, and families in its care.
our care have a sense they are ‘coming
East-Trou credits the nonprofit’s successful expansion to the numerous contracts and home.’ When you walk in the door to any
grants Gándara secures and the dedication and commitment by its staff. Over the past of our programs, there’s someone who
10 years, the administrative team has also grown. Investing in team members to help speaks your language who understands
advance Gándara’s mission have pushed the agency, which had humble beginnings, you, understands your culture. That’s what
to where it is today. sets us apart. We truly understand the
communities we serve.”
Looking Ahead: Looking back on his 35-year career with
As the health care landscape continues to change, Gándara is on the forefront of emerging Gándara, East-Trou has grown alongside
trends, providing quality care to the individuals it serves. East-Trou said priorities include the agency he serves. His passion for
examining population health and the way it affects how the agency delivers services. helping people and giving back to the
community are evident through the variety
“We’re looking at not just the work we do, but the people we serve, and advocating
of programs he has advocated for and
for programs,” he said. “What are the impacts to the community? How can we work
supports today. Through times of success,
with the community? Aside from the services we provide, we’re looking at the all
growth, and challenges, the agency continues
the factors which impact one’s health. We’re doing extensive work in the community
to be a leader in providing culturally sensitive
to support the populations we serve through providing healthy, educational, and
care to the region. As East-Trou looks to the years
recreational opportunities.”
ahead, he remains committed to the job he was
Changes in the MassHealth system also have a significant impact to providers given on Aug. 31, 1982.
like Gándara. The landscape of how hospitals, providers, and insurance companies
“I felt like the Hispanic community really gave me a job
conduct business ultimately impact patients. Staying abreast of these changes, said
to do,” said East-Trou. “I want to leave this organization
East-Trou, is critical.
even better than it was when I began. And although it is
“We’re really paying a lot of attention to the MassHealth transition,” he said. “And challenging at times, we were always able to deliver quality
we’re learning how to continue to do business under these new changes; it’s very services to the most vulnerable popultions. I’m looking forward
different than the way things were done before.” to the challenges ahead.”
YOUTH
Springfield Youth Gain Camp Experience
through Aventura! Program
This spring the Gándara Center launched a new initiative
in celebration of agency’s 40th anniversary. Wanting
to give back to the community where our roots were
first planted, and to help support Springfield youth, the
Aventura! Summer Camp Scholarship Program was created. Programs or Camp STAR Angelina.
Together with State Representatives Jose Tosado
(D-Springfield) and Carlos Gonzalez
105
(D-Springfield) Gándara partnered with
the Springfield Department of Parks
and Recreation to offer Springfield
youth the opportunity to attend one
summer camp session for free.
Scholarships
Awarded
In the program’s inaugural year, the
Gándara Center awarded 105 scholarships
to Springfield youth. The Aventura! Summer
Camp Scholarship Program provided youth (ages 5–18)
with the chance to participate in safe, healthy, fun, and
educational camp activities. Summer vacation is often
the most difficult time for parents to find affordable
opportunities for their children when school is out of
session. Providing children with the summer camp
experience gave them a chance to be outside, socializing
with peers and making friendships to last a lifetime. It
also provided them with an opportunity to participate in
extracurricular activities that help them gain valuable skills like Aventura! so we can provide a variety of healthy,
and breed self-confidence.
The Aventura! scholarship program was available to all
Springfield residents. Parents completed a short application programs a reality.
form and spaces were awarded on a first-come, first-
served basis. Campers were given an opportunity
to participate in either the Springfield Department
of Parks and Recreation’s Summer Enrichment
A kick-off celebration of the
Aventura! Summer Camp
Scholarship Program was held
for community partners and
donors on April 28 at the
Forest Park Carriage House.
The Aventura! program
would not have been possible
without the generosity and financial
support from Hispanic Resources, Inc;
Baystate Health; The Irene E. and George A. Davis
Foundation; and MassLive.
After seeing the need in the community for a
program like Aventura!, and a successful launch
thanks to the support of our business sponsors and
individual donors, the Gándara Center has made the
commitment to offer the Aventura! program again next
year. Our hope is to expand scholarship opportunities
educational, and recreational opportunities to the families
in our community. Support for events like our annual Frozen
Yogurt 5K Run/Walk and your donations help to make these
ARTSONG
EXHIBIT
SHOWCASES
YOUTH CREATIVITY
The 4th Annual ArtSong Exhibit, Keys of Legacy,
held at the BING Arts Center Gallery in Springfield
on June 22 was a fun-filled evening celebrating
Gándara’s talented artists. Youth artists in the
ArtSong Arts Enrichment Program spent 10 months
working on their pieces as part of their art therapy
program within the Gándara Center’s program. This
year, over 50 pieces of art created by our youth ages
3 to 17 years old were displayed at the BING and
art lovers were given the opportunity to bid on their
favorite pieces as part of the silent auction. Thanks to
the generosity of our supporters, the silent auction
raised over $1,300 to benefit the ArtSong program
this year! Event proceeds directly benefit the
Over
$1,300
ArtSong program through purchasing supplies for
our young artists. This year the ArtSong reception
included a “live” component where Gándara
youth were encouraged to showcase their
music and dance talents. ArtSong continues to Raised to
grow each year and is a wonderful evening
of art appreciation and fun. Benefit
ArtSong
RECOVERY
Cornerstone Residential
Recovery Program Opens
in Ware
After much anticipation, the Cornerstone residential
recovery program located in Ware finally opened its doors
this spring. The program, designed to assist women ages 18
to 25 with overcoming substance use disorders, opened in
the former home of the St. Mary’s convent.

Cornerstone is a 15-bed, highly structured voluntary

program is open to women who already have completed
a detox program and are ready to take the next step in
their recovery process. Cornerstone offers a wide range of
tools to help individuals be successful including 24-hour
supervision and on-site classes and groups facilitated by
counselors and recovery specialists every day.

Program participants have access to General Education

Development (GED) prep classes; learn budgeting; basic
math; writing; life skills; health and nutrition; interviewing
and independent living skills; problem-solving; and
participate in nondenominational bible study; and yoga
and art therapy programs.

Last year, the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse

Services reported 150 referrals from Ware alone, noting a
significant need in the community for substantial treatment
programs. When the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health approached the Gándara Center to fulfill the need
for a program like Cornerstone, the former St. Mary’s
convent fit the needs of the program perfectly. Participation
in the program is completely voluntary and individuals
typically complete the program between three and
six months.
GÁNDARA
CENTER’S
STAIRWAY TO
RECOVERY
On Sept. 25, the Gándara Center’s Stairway
to Recovery program was presented with a
proclamation declaring September as National
Recovery Month in the City of Brockton by
Mayor Bill Carpenter. In his proclamation, Mayor
Carpenter recognized those affected by mental
health and substance use disorders and urged
residents to observe National Recovery Month
through program participation and other recovery
month activities and ceremonies. 

Above: Stairway to Recovery members at Brockton City Hall.

FUNDRAISING
3rd Annual Frozen Yogurt 5K Raises $23,000 to Fund
Educational, Recreational Programs
Over 200 people laced-up and stepped-out for the 3rd
Annual Frozen Yogurt 5K Run/Walk held on Aug. 27 in
downtown Northampton to raise awareness of mental
health and substance use disorders. Our runners, walkers,
and sponsors play a crucial role in helping to
making this event such a success. Thanks
to their support this year, we raised
over $23,000 to benefit the 13,500
children, adults, and families the $23K
Gándara Center serves throughout
Massachusetts. Raised
Money raised through events like
our Frozen Yogurt 5K directly benefit the
individuals the Gándara Center serves. Sponsorships make
a direct impact in helping to improve the quality of life for
those in need. Money raised from this event help to fund
programs like our Aventura! Summer Camp Scholarship
Program which provides youth an opportunity to attend
summer camp for free; and Gándara’s Descant Music & Art
Scholarship along with other educational, recreational, and
healthy options for the families we serve.
From experience, we know that providing opportunities
for educational or musical enrichment and recreational
activities helps to keep those in treatment focused;
decreases their criminal activity; and improves their
occupational, social, and psychological functioning as
valuable members of their communities. Giving those in
treatment the tools they need to become successful helps
leads them down the path to healthier living and recovery.
Support for events like the Frozen Yogurt 5K allow us
to continue to provide these opportunities to the
individuals we serve and meet them where they are
in their treatment.
The Frozen Yogurt 5K would not be possible
without the support from our generous
sponsors: Go Berry; Hispanic
Resources, Inc.; Country Bank;
Insurance Center of New
England; Peoples Bank;
WB Mason; The Apothecary
Center; Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Massachusetts; Crocker
Communications; Marcotte Ford;
Allied Flooring & Paint; Cigna; Florence
Bank; Merchants Fleet Management;
River Valley Co-Op; This End
Up Furniture; Skoler, Abbott &
Presser; Whittlesey & Hadley, PC;
CheckWriters; Copy Cat Print Shop;
Dave’s Soda & Pet City; Stop &
Shop Northampton; Dr. David Gill; Dr.
Young Kim; American Bedding; Cowls
Building Supply; Eastern Electronics;
Egan, Flanagan, and Cohen, PC; Law
Offices of Farber & Lindley; Northampton
Area Pediatrics; Erin Pelkey; Stacy Benda; 1 Little Black Dog
Treat Truck (Jameson’s Journey); Barnes & Noble Hadley;
Bueno Y Sano; Central Rock Gym; Pioneer Valley Pain
Relief Therapies, LLC; Springfield Thunderbirds; Starbucks
Northampton; and
Sir Speedy.
GÁNDARA
RAISES $1,673
TO BENEFIT
YOUTH DURING
VALLEY GIVES DAY
Valley Gives Day, held on May 2, is a one
day, 24-hour online giving event hosted
by the Community Foundation of Western
Massachusetts. The event helps to support the
over 450 non-profit and charitable organizations
throughout Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin
counties. This year, the Gándara Center focused
its Valley Gives fundraising efforts for the Youth
Development Center to help them expand their
media literacy program. Our #WhenUSay campaign,
created with youth from our Youth Development
Center, helped to spread awareness about commonly
used words and their double-meanings to those with
mental illness or addiction issues. The short video
clips featuring a youth who regularly participates in
media literacy programming at the center, helped
drive home the importance of how words are used.
While the primary purpose of Valley Gives Day is to
raise funds, we were equally grateful for those who
helped spread the messages of our #WhenUSay
campaign and helped us to continue important
conversations around mental health. Funds
from Valley Gives Day helped the Youth
Development Center purchase additional
equipment for the recording studio.
GÁNDARA
LAUNCHES
MUSIC & ART
SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM
Thanks to the success of our
Frozen Yogurt 5K this year, we
were able to create another new,
healthy recreational (and fun!)
initiative for the individuals we
serve. Understanding how music
and art programs can provide
an outlet for stress relief and
serve as a valuable tool when
combined with therapy, the
Descant Music & Art Scholarship
program was born. Partnering
with Holyoke-based Descant
Music & Art Studio, we opened
the program to both adults and
children in Gándara’s care. With
sponsorship by Gándara staff,
individuals applied for weekly
music (art, piano, guitar, drums,
violin, bass, trumpet, trombone,
or tuba) or art lessons. During
the kick-off in November, 40
scholarships were awarded for
three months of lessons. The
scholarship covers all costs
including rental equipment,
books/materials, and a half-hour
weekly private lesson. Our hope
is to expand the program in the
future and offer the scholarship
opportunity to individuals we
serve throughout the state.
COMMUNITY
Gándara Recovery Centers Celebrate
National Recovery Month
On Sept. 25, the Gándara Center’s Stairway to Recovery
program was presented with a proclamation declaring
September as National Recovery Month in the City of
Brockton by Mayor Bill Carpenter. In his proclamation, Mayor
Carpenter recognized those affected by mental health and
substance use disorders and urged residents to observe
National Recovery Month through program participation and
other recovery month activities and ceremonies.
The Gándara Center’s Hope for Holyoke Recovery Center
hosted Holyoke Recovery Day on Sept. 29 in honor of
National Recovery Month. The day began with a march
from Heritage State Park to the event location at Veterans
Park where community services organizations greeted
event attendees and showcased the array of services
available to Holyoke residents. Live music, spoken word
performances, and personal stories from those in recovery
were highlights of the day’s activities. Additionally, Holyoke
Mayor Alex Morse presented Hope for Holyoke with a
proclamation in honor of Holyoke Recovery Day.
“At a time where the opiate crisis is so prominent, and
we’re often focused on overdose deaths and tragic
consequences of addiction, this is a great day to celebrate
recovery,” said Debra Flynn-Gonzalez, Gándara Center’s
Hope for Holyoke program director.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) has celebrated National
Recovery Month for the past 27 years to increase
awareness and understanding of mental and substance use
disorders and to celebrate the people who recover. National
September
is National
Recovery Month
Recovery Month highlights the achievements
of those individuals who have reclaimed their
lives in long-term recovery and honors the
treatment and recovery service providers who
make recovery possible. Recovery Month also
promotes the message that recovery in all of
its forms is possible and encourages citizens
to take action to help expand and improve the
availability of effective prevention, treatment,
and recovery services for those in need.
Celebrating Puerto Rican
Pride in Springfield
The Gándara Center’s Hope for Holyoke crew proudly
represented the organization again this year at Springfield’s
annual Puerto Rican Parade on Sept. 17. This year,
Gándara’s float celebrated National Recovery Month and
showcased activities and “life in recovery.” Over 100
marching contingencies participated in the event this year,
marking one of the largest turn-outs in the event’s history
to date.

UNITED
TOGETHER
#GANDARASTANDSWITHPR
As an agency which serves and employs a large
Hispanic population, our staff and community
were deeply impacted by the devastation left
behind after hurricanes Maria and Irma hit Puerto
Rico. Wanting to be at the forefront of helping to
connect people to the resources needed most,
at a time when they needed it most, the Gándara
Center collaborated with Western Mass United for
Puerto Rico, a local coalition comprised of community
leaders and organizations. The coalition served as a
conduit to services and information to those affected
by the hurricanes and spearheaded a food and
necessities drive delivered directly to the island.
Recognizing the impact these hurricanes had on
survivors and their families’ mental health, the
Gándara Center hosted a Community Support and
Outreach Day at its Outpatient Clinic in Springfield
on Oct. 7. Gándara mental health professionals
were on-hand to comfort those affected by the
hurricanes—employees, their families, friends,
and neighbors. The event was free and open
to anyone who wanted an opportunity to talk,
get connected to area services, and explore
job opportunities. In anticipation of local
families welcoming their families and
friends displaced by the hurricanes
to Massachusetts, the Gándara
Springfield Family Resource Center
hosted a clothing drive and
provided necessities to
those in need.
(continued at right)
(continued)
Helping others during a time of
#GandaraStandsWithPR
need, when help might not seem
possible, is what the Gándara
Center represents and is at the
core of its mission. Understanding
that our own staff were battling
with the same struggles as those
in our community—worrying about
loved ones still on the island;
taking in family members who
were now homeless; dealing with
the loss of family and friends—
Gándara’s Executive Director,
Henry East-Trou, implemented
a “for Gándara, by Gándara”
employee assistance program
and the #GandaraStandsWithPR
campaign was born. Employees
throughout the agency were
given an opportunity to
contribute to the fund through an
online portal and proceeds from
the sale of support bracelets were
donated to the fund; with the total
funds raised matched by Gándara.
To be considered for relief funds,
staff completed an application
which explained how they (or
their family) were impacted by
the hurricanes and how funding
would help alleviate any hardship.
Gándara is committed to helping
not only the adults, children, and
families in the communities we
serve, but supports the team of
people who also make up the
Gándara family.
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Gándara Hosts Legislative 2017
Breakfast in Holyoke All Politics is Local
Award
Area legislators
gathered at the
Gándara Center’s Hope Gándara Recognized for Gándara Center Executive Director Henry Julio East-Trou
for Holyoke program on
Jan. 9 to participate in
Political Advocacy accepts an “All Politics is Local” Award from Association for
Behavioral Healthcare President/CEO Vic DiGravio.

a Legislative Breakfast
hosted by the agency
and State Rep. Aaron
Vega, (D-Holyoke), as
a thank you for their
continued support of
the program.
Early in 2017, the State Rep. Aaron Vega (D-Holyoke) talks
with a member from Hope for Holyoke
proposed state budget during the Jan. 9 Legislative Breakfast.
set before Gov. Charlie
Baker significantly reduced the Substance Abuse Trust
Fund, jeopardizing programming funding and putting it
at risk of closing. Hope for Holyoke is the only peer-based
recovery program of its kind in Hampden County and
there is no cost associated with participating; no insurance
required. The program accepts all paths to recovery;
offers therapy and group sessions; social events and
job preparedness; and advocacy and recovery coaching.
The recovery center opened two years ago to provide
a continuum of care for individuals to maintain their
recovery and is open seven days per week.
In addition to Rep. Vega, area legislators in attendance
included Sen. James T. Welch, Rep. Jose Tosado, Rep. John
Velis, Rep. John Scibak, and a representative from Holyoke
Mayor Alex Morse’s office.
At the Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) Annual
Meeting in May, the Gándara Center was presented
with the 2017 “All Politics is Local” award. The award is
presented to the ABH member who has hosted the most
legislative visits in a year. The Gándara Center is a proud
member of ABH and remains committed to being an
advocate for those living with mental illness, addiction,
and substance use disorders through its treatment options
and legislative advocacy.
Gándara Center Executive Director Henry Julio East-Trou and
Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) during a
legislative event held in Springfield.
(From left): State Reps. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield), Jose Tosado
(D-Springfield), and Bud Williams (D-Springfield) present a proclamation from
the Massachusetts House of Representatives in recognition of the agency’s 40th
Area Senators and Representatives from across Western
Anniversary and creation of the Aventura! Summer Camp Scholarship Program
to Gándara Center Director of Communications and Development Lisa Brecher Massachusetts visited and met with members from Hope for
and Executive Director Henry Julio East-Trou. Holyoke during a Legislative Breakfast held on Jan. 9.
(Second from right): State Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg (D-Amherst), listens to guests during a fundraiser held in Boston on June 5.
DEVELOPMENT
East Boston Staff Participates in ARC-GROW Program 2017
Gándara Center staff regularly participate in certification the training program, members of the Gándara team NOTABLE
classes and trainings to stay abreast of industry changes
and requirements. This year staff from the East Boston
were asked to present their experiences with this new
tool to representatives from MassHealth, insurance
GRANTS
offices participated in ARC-GROW caregiver skill-building representatives, and other state-wide CBHI agencies
and intervention training as a result of funding through to describe how the training has made an impact on Brockton
a state-wide grant funded through MassHealth. Starting Gándara’s families. Training to Work
in January, 14 Gándara Center staff participated in the Collaborative
12-week GROW training program. This training allowed
Gándara Center staff to provide caregiver training support •
to families living with children with serious emotional CSA Capacity Building
disturbances and how to manage youth with chronic
(DSRIP funding)
stressors and/or trauma.
•
Gándara Center Regional Director of Therapeutic Mentoring
Services for East/South East Boston Lisa Garcia said the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
GROW program gives clinicians a toolkit to help bridge Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
the gap and unify the framework used in therapy. Since Learning Community
the completion of the training program, approximately
10 families in Gándara’s care have participated in this •
voluntary program. GROW gives caregivers an additional
opportunity to participate in their child’s therapy program.
ATTACHMENT Family Recovery Support Centers
REGULATION Enhancement Funds
“We identify the appropriate families and ask if they
are interested in learning more about the program,” COMPETENCY •
said Garcia. “It’s a very highly structured program which DMH Drop-In Center
“(ARC) is a training framework
requires a significant time commitment by the caregiver,
with the core goal of supporting
(Access Center to be located
since the training is very specific to the caregiver.”
families in building safe, in Springfield)
healthy relationships.”
Garcia said the GROW program is used in in-home
therapy case management and is highly focused on
parents’ stressors and barriers and helps them to
understand the challenges surrounding them. As a
result of Gándara’s successful implementation of
 GÁNDARA LOCATIONS

Greenfield
DCF Youth Fitchburg
Residential Program CBHI Fitchburg

Northampton Ware Boston/

Holyoke
SUD Residential
for Young Women
Roxbury
Chicopee CBHI Boston
Westfield Youth Detention Center
Transitional Support DCF Youth STARR Program
Services for Women
W. Springfield
Administration Office Springfield Brockton
Plymouth
Peer Recovery
Support Center
Northampton Springfield
New Bedford
DPH SUD Residential for Men CSA/CBHI Springfield CBHI New Bedford
Sober Living Supportive Housing DCF Youth STARR Program (2)
Sober Living Sup. Housing for Women DCF Youth Pre-Independant Living Program (2)
DCF Youth Residential Program Hyannis
DCF Teen Parenting Program
Holyoke DDS Shared Living Program/Long-Term Res.
Cancer Prevention and Screening DMH CBFS
Community Housing Program DPH Residential SUD for Hispanic Men
CSA/CBHI Holyoke Drug Free Coalition Brockton
DCF After School Program Family Resource Center CBHI Brockton
DCF Youth STARR Program Homeless Young Adult Housing MH/SUD Outpatient Clinic
DMH/DCF Caring Together Continuum Integrated Primary Care Peer Recovery Support Center
Intensive Foster Care Outpatient Addictions Clinic
Peer Recovery Support Center Outpatient Health Clinic
Recovery Supportive Housing Recovery Supportive Housing
Hyannis
SUD Residential for Women Teen Domestic Violence Prevention Peer Recovery Support Center
Youth Development Center Tobacco Free Community Partnership Pregnant Mothers SUD Program
SPONSORS

Allied Flooring & Paint
American Bedding
Barnes & Noble Hadley
Baystate Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Bueno Y Sano
Central Rock Gym
CheckWriters
Cigna
Copy Cat Print Shop
Country Bank
Cowl’s Building Supply
Crocker Communications
Dave’s Soda & Pet City
Dr. David Gill, MD
Dr. Young K. Kim, PhD
Eastern Electronics & Security, Inc.
Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, PC
Florence Bank
Go Berry
Happy Valley
Hispanic Resources, Inc.
Insurance Center of New England
Law Office of Farber & Lindley, LLC
Marcotte Ford
MassLive
Merchants Fleet Management
Northampton Area Pediatrics
Peoples Bank
Pioneer Valley Pain Relief
River Valley Market
Sir Speedy
Skoler, Abbott & Presser, PC
Sodexo
Springfield Thunderbirds
Starbucks Northampton
Stop & Shop
The Apothecary Center
The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
This End Up Furniture Co., Inc.
WB Mason
Westfield Bank
Whittlesey & Hadley, PC
 FINANCIAL REPORT
Contributions and Other Misc. Revenue      
In-Kind  $387,910 $52,730

2017 Third-Party Revenue       

$14,656,184
State Funding                   
$25,637,464
Revenue
By Source
City Funding                     
$520,107
Federal Funding               
$403,650

Revenue & Assets–6 Year Comparison

(Thousands of Dollars)
Fiscal Year 6/30/2017 6/30/2016 6/30/2015 6/30/2014 6/30/2013 6/30/2012

Total Assets $ 10,590 $ 8,405 $ 7,729 $ 5,575 $ 4,686 $ 4,524

Total Liabilities $ 5,189 $ 4,132 $ 4,592 $ 3,220 $ 2,427 $ 2,331
Total Net Assets $ 5,401 $ 4,273 $ 3,137 $ 2,355 $ 2,259 $ 2,193
Program Service Fees $ 41,101 $ 37,373 $ 32,874 $ 23,755 $ 21,362 $ 19,813
In-Kind, Contributions & Grants $ 496 $ 495 $ 456 $ 754 $ 303 $ 165
Other Revenue $ 41 $ 42 $ 40 $ 63 $ 39 $ 2
Total Revenue $ 41,638 $ 37,910 $ 33,370 $ 24,572 $ 21,704 $ 20,002

(Percent of Operating Expenses)

Program Services 89% 88% 90% 90% 90% 91%
Administration 11% 12% 10% 10% 10% 9%
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT
Kimberly Klimczuk
Skoler, Abbot & Presser, PC

VICE PRESIDENT
Vanessa Martinez, Esquire
Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, PC

CLERK TREASURER MEMBER

Rafael Mojica Sterling Hall Lydia E. Martinez-Alvarez
Holyoke Medical Center Springfield Public Schools

MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER

Hugh Derenzy James Donnelly Victoria Ford
Derenzy Document Solution Law Office of James Donnelly
 LEADERSHIP TEAM

Executive Leadership Team

Henry East-Trou
Executive Director

Jeff McGeary Sharon Hall-Smith

Director of Operations Director of Prevention Services
Madeline Aviles-Hernandez Madaline Martinez
Director of Outpatient Services Director of Adult Residential Services
Lisa Brecher Virginia Mercure
Director of Communications & Development Director of Recovery Services
Tami Davis Ken Mruk
Director of Adolescent & Family Services Chief Financial Officer
Chris Ezzo Rebecca Muller
Director of CSA/CBHI Services Grants Manager

Senior Leadership Team

Kathleen Brown Patricia Dones Heather Murphy
Director of Human Resources Director of Electronic Health Records Director of Quality Assurance
& Outcomes
Robert DiVito Natasha Figueroa
Director of Information Director of Integration Leslie Senio
Technologies Comptroller
Steve Linberg
Senior Systems & Analytics Engineer
FY 2017: AT A GLANCE
10,000 lives impacted through mental health and substance
use treatment, prevention, and education.

p eople worked to successfully

941
maintain their recovery by

3,281
accessing services at recovery people received outpatient
support centers more than mental health services.
25,000 times.


i ndividuals struggling with

306 substance use disorders were

welcomed and treated at
residential recovery homes.
109
i ndividuals with chronic mental
dara Ce
illness and/or developmental
disabilities were supported. n

nte
lly Sensitive
ura

Gá
103

Car
Cult
f amilies were given a chance
Since

r
e
at more stable and productive
lives in supportive housing. l ives were enriched through
prevention, education and 1977
1,723

lu d
De
intervention services for HIV,

di

sa
Domestic Violence, Smoking ad
su

c
os
a m ejorar
670
a t-risk youth found safety and Cessation, Sexual Health,
stability in residential, foster and Cancer.
and community supported care.

More than 160,000 lbs. of

160,000 food was distributed to over

212
15,000 people in need.
homeless young adults were 
placed in housing.

790
c hildren with severe emotional f amilies were connected

827
disturbances were supported to over 3,000 services at
through services provided by a the Springfield Family
team dedicated to family, peer Resource Center.
and clinical support.

GÁNDARA CENTER • 147 NORMAN STREET • WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089 • GANDARACENTER.ORG