50 Years for Continuum of Care
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – January 13, 2016: To protect his identity, let's call him Tim. Tim reached rock bottom after experiencing the devastating impact of a psychotic breakdown and contemplated ending his life after losing everything. Then he was referred to Continuum of Care. Thanks to the support he received, Tim turned his life around and is now saving the lives of others as a well-respected emergency room doctor.
Tim's is just one remarkable story from thousands of individuals whose lives Continuum of Care helped to rebuild throughout the 50 years the organization has provided crisis, respite and residential services to individuals with serious mental illness and intellectual disabilities.
Guided by the visionary leadership of President and CEO Patti Walker, Continuum grew from one residential program – the New Haven Halfway House, one of the first transitional facilities in the country – into an organization operating more than 40 statewide residences with support programs, case management services, and peer mentoring. Sister organization Continuum Home Health, Inc. addresses clients' often critical medical needs through home healthcare services. Continuum's coordinated model of residential services supported by nursing care has become a model for the Greater New Haven behavioral health community.
The organization continues to evolve and expand support for behavioral health needs. Specialized services for persons with autism have become a major focus and a recent merger with Dixwell/Newhallville Community Mental Health Services enables Continuum to offer outpatient clinical care.
"Thirty-three years ago, Continuum served 22 people on average in a year and now we care for more than 2,400 each year. I am thrilled that we continue to grow our services in our 50th year and proud that Continuum remains committed to caring for the whole person," says Walker.
Continuum of Care's 50th Anniversary Gala will be held on Wednesday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven. Liz Murray, inspiring author of "My Journey from Homeless to Harvard" and subject of the Lifetime Television Emmy-nominated movie "Homeless to Harvard," will be the keynote speaker.
About Continuum of Care, Inc.
Since 1966, Continuum of Care has helped rebuild the lives of adults with severe and persistent mental illness and/or intellectual disabilities by providing comprehensive housing and home support services, home healthcare, and outpatient clinical care so they may live as fully and independently in the community as possible. The majority of Continuum's clients and patients live well below the federal poverty level. Each year, the organization rescues approximately 250 individuals from homelessness and it serves approximately 2,400 people in the greater New Haven area as well as Branford, Bridgeport, Hamden, Meriden, Middleton, Norwalk, Southington, Wallingford, and Wolcott. Continuum of Care, Inc., is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, contact:
Continuum of Care, 67 Trumbull St., New Haven, CT | 203.562.2264 |
www.continuumct.org.
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