Impact Newsletter
The difference we are making in our communities.
The Spring 2024 issue of Impact is here, featuring stories from our Bristol fundraising campaign, new treatment for depression in Waterbury, 2023 Hands & Hearts awardees, and more! Read stories from this issue below.
Stories from the Spring 2024 Issue of Impact
Wheeler is expanding behavioral health services to students and families at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in New Britain, as well as providing linkages to accessible health care at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in the city.
For the second year in a row, Wheeler earned six Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, tied for the most in the state.
Two organizations and several individuals were honored by Wheeler for outstanding support of its mission at the organization’s 13th Annual Hands & Hearts event, held virtually, on December 18.
Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, president and chief executive officer, Wheeler Health, spoke at the White House on January 10 to highlight how federal investments are making a difference for the health of individuals, families, and communities in Connecticut.
Wheeler Health has surpassed its expanded Bristol fundraising goal of $555,000, raising $606,000 in gifts and pledges one and a half years ahead of schedule for its new Bristol health center and administrative headquarters at One Hope Street in downtown.
Wheeler received a $16,765 grant from the Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Inc., a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, to support its Walk With Me program in
New Britain.
The winter season, especially, underscores the persistent, sometimes serious challenges for individuals with depression. A new, highly effective treatment for depression, Spravato® therapy (Esketamine), is available to adult patients through Wheeler’s Hartford and Waterbury Family Health & Wellness Centers.
Wheeler and WFSB Ch. 3 are partnering to share the latest information about behavioral health issues to keep you and your family healthy.
The Summer/Fall 2023 issue of Impact highlights our progress in Bristol, mental health and other services for students in New Britain, a federal grant to help individuals successfully re-enter the community following a period of incarceration, and more. Read stories from this issue below.
Stories from the Summer/Fall 2023 Issue of Impact
Wheeler is expanding behavioral health services to students and families at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in New Britain, as well as providing linkages to accessible health care at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in the city.
If you or someone you know has cared for a relative’s child, you could be an amazing fit as a Wheeler Foster Care Kinship Navigator. In this role, you will work alongside members of a caring, professional team while drawing from your lived experience to support youth and their foster families.
Two new, highly effective treatments for depression are offered through Wheeler in Hartford and New Britain. Referrals are being accepted.
Wheeler patients who opt for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for depression will embark on a journey guided by a skilled, caring team, including two certified TMS physicians. A state-of-the-art suite, comfortable treatment chair, inspiring wall messages, and more, are part of a tranquil treatment setting.
Wheeler Health has exceeded its original four-year fundraising campaign goal for its new Bristol health center and administrative headquarters two years ahead of schedule and is extending its goal to celebrate and honor its 55th anniversary in 2023.
A five-year, $2-million federal grant will help individuals with behavioral health and substance use disorders returning to their communities in central Connecticut after incarceration.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Offered Next Week for Individuals 12+ at Wheeler’s Community Health Centers
As part of National Health Center Week, August 6–12, Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Centers in Bristol, Hartford, Plainville, New Britain, and Waterbury will offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the public, ages 12+, on Tuesday, August 8 through Friday, August 11, from 10 am–3pm.
The Spring 2023 issue of Impact highlights developments in Bristol, new services to treat depression, an innovative program for individuals with body image issues, and more! Stories from this issue are below.
Stories from the 2023 Issue of Impact
A digital campaign to recruit foster families for youth in Waterbury and eight surrounding towns is designed to educate prospective parents about opportunities to foster youth—for shorter durations—right in their own communities.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Bristol city officials, and Wheeler leadership celebrated the award of $980,000 in federal support for construction of Wheeler’s new health center and administrative headquarters in Centre Square, Bristol.
COVID boosters are offered to the public at Wheeler’s five Family Health & Wellness Centers on Wednesdays through the end of April, as well as the Plainville Senior Center through Wheeler’s Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center on March 20 and April 10.
Wheeler is expanding behavioral health services to students and families at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in New Britain, as well as providing linkages to accessible health care at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in the city.
Wheeler’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS) has moved on-site, in-person coverage to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in order to best meet the needs of communities in Central Connecticut.
Wheeler’s 38th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group for the fifth consecutive year, will take place at The Country Club of Farmington on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Registration is open, and sponsors, players, and prize donors are welcome.
Two new services being offered at Wheeler’s Hartford and New Britain community health centers will help patients find relief from symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Wheeler received a $7,000 grant from Connecticut Community Foundation’s Pride in the Hills Fund to support its Walk With Me program. The grant will be used to support the work of a peer support specialist and enhance and expand parent/caregiver services for LGBTQIA+ families.
The Fall 2022 issue of Impact is published. Download your copy here. Learn more about our progress in Bristol; as well as the expansion of intensive outpatient and foster care services for youth in Waterbury, and more!
Stories from the Fall 2022 Issue of Impact
Wheeler provides Foster Care services to youth and their families in Waterbury and eight surrounding towns. Funded by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, Wheeler’s program matches children and youth with loving foster homes and provides training, support, a stipend for families, and more.
State Representative Liz Linehan (D-Cheshire, Southington, Wallingford), State Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr. (D-Waterbury) and others, highlight enhanced mental health outpatient services for children and adolescents in Waterbury.
Wheeler received a $5,000 grant from the Bristol Brass General Grant Fund at the Main Street Community Foundation to support its Walk With Me program. The grant will be used to support the work of a peer support specialist and enhance and expand parent/caregiver services for LGBTQIA+ families.
Tied for the most awards in the state, Wheeler received six out of eight Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) following an annual Uniform Data System (UDS) review for 2021.
Wheeler’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, was a guest on the award-winning “For the People” radio show, where she highlighted new intensive behavioral health outpatient services for youth in Waterbury.
Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers took part in Wheeler’s 37th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group, on September 14 at The Country Club of Farmington, and the event grossed an unprecedented $100,000 to support individuals and families in care through Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund.
Teodoro Anderson Diaz, MS, MSW, LCSW, LADC, vice president of family health and wellness center outpatient services, received the Top Latino Leader award at the 2022 National Latino Leadership Conference of the National Diversity Council and the Council for Latino Workplace Equity.
About 100 state and local leaders, board members, donors, employees, and friends gathered at a groundbreaking ceremony for Wheeler’s planned 46,000-square foot community health center and administrative headquarters at One Hope Street in downtown Bristol on Thursday, September 29th.
Spring 2022 Impact
The Spring 2022 issue of Impact is ready for download. Learn more about our plans for a flagship community health center in Bristol; the sixth anniversary of our unique partnership with Mott Corporation; primary care services offered in Plainville, and more.
Stories from Spring 2022 Impact
Wheeler’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Services program and two additional providers are part of an innovative civilian crisis intervention program in Hartford called the Hartford Emergency Assistance Response Team (HEARTeam). A new website launched recently highlighting services.
Today, Wheeler Health has received an evaluation of 95 out of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.
Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center at 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville, is now offering primary care for all ages. Services include medical and pediatric care, wellness care and immunizations; physical examinations; chronic disease screening and treatment for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension/heart health, oversight of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction, and more.
When Wheeler and Farmington-based Mott Corporation embarked on an innovative corporate philanthropic partnership in 2016, it was hard to predict its impact on the local community or Mott employees who are integrally involved. Read more about this unique alliance is making change in local communities.
Helping to anchor the downtown Bristol Centre Square development with professional jobs and accessible health care for the entire community, Wheeler Health will move forward with a plan to purchase an approximate 1.3-acre lot between North Main and Hope streets, with the intent to build an approximately 35,000-square foot community health center and administrative headquarters, opening in 2023.
Seven organizations and individuals were recognized by Wheeler for outstanding support of its mission at the organization’s 11th Annual Hands & Hearts event, held virtually, on December 8.
The Fall 2021 issue of Impact is published. Download your copy here.
Stories from the Fall 2021 Impact
Wheeler is committed to provided convenient, accessible care to residents of Bristol and surrounding communities. A story from our Fall 2021 Impact newsletter, as well as updated content, provide details.
A collaboration between Wheeler and Harc, Inc., a Hartford-based non-profit that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), will continue for another year, thanks to a new, one-year $50,000 S.M.I.L.E. Grant from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation.
There’s a lot happening at Wheeler’s community health center at 855 Lakewood Road in Waterbury, and a recent two-part special event helped to underscore this point
Fall Festival & Health Fair at Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 855 Lakewood Road, Waterbury
Free food, family activities, music, and other seasonal treats were part of a Fall Festival and Health Fair at the Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 855 Lakewood Road, Waterbury, on October 20.
The CNA Excellence in the Workplace Award recognizes a workplace that has achieved an environment that 'empowers nurses, promotes professional autonomy and control over nursing practice.'
Wheeler has received a five-year, $625,000 federal Mental Health Awareness Training Emergency Services (MHAT-ES) grant to deliver Mental Health First Aid training to emergency services and other frontline personnel across Connecticut.
Wheeler Chief Financial Officer Athena Dellas Szczesniak, MBA received a 2021 C-Suite Award from Hartford Business Journal.
Wheeler has received a two-year, $5-million federal grant to expand mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults through its community health centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury.
Connecticut Children's is leading a collaboration with nearly twenty organizations, including Wheeler, on a five-year, cross-sector effort designed to improve the lives of children in North Hartford under a new $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Wheeler has received a five-year, $2.6-million federal grant to expand and enhance access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and recovery supports for adults in Waterbury with opioid use disorders.
On Wednesday, September 15, more than 130 golfers, sponsors, and volunteers participated in Wheeler’s 36th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group, at the Country Club of Farmington, raising $52,000 to support individuals and families in care through Wheeler’s Basic Needs Fund.
Our dear partners at the Mott Corporation joined the Connecticut Clearinghouse, other Wheeler staff, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and advocates from across the state to place 1,374 white flags along the south walkway of the State Capitol.
We are delighted to introduce our first issue of Impact (Spring 2021), which highlights the many ways we are making a difference in our communities. A list of stories and links are listed below. Download your copy here.
Stories from the Spring 2021 Impact
Individuals and families in New Britain and surrounding communities will soon have access to expanded care in one convenient location. Wheeler’s New Britain community health center at 75 North Mountain Road is moving on June 21 to 40 Hart Street, and an expanded array of health care services will now be available to people of all ages.
Thanks to the support of our community, nearly $8,000 was raised in January-March matching gift challenge, exceeding the $5,000 goal by 60%! The original donor was so impressed with the outpouring of support that they matched the full $8,000 amount raised. From their initial gift and the match campaign, $26,000 has been raised in support of patient fitness and wellness.
Rebecca Eleck, MD, primary care medical director, talks with Jenny Boom Boom and DJ Meechie from Hot 93.7, discussing the importance of getting vaccinated for COVID, the differences between the different vaccines and COVID variants, and how to keep yourself safe.
Our community health centers offer safe, compassionate in-person care, including walk-in hours for behavioral health, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM. Wheeler's Reggie Harris, integrated care supervisor, explains how we support our patients when we meet face to face.
Wheeler’s 36th Annual Golf Classic, presented by Mutual of America Financial Group, happens on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at The Country Club of Farmington.
A $100,000 gift is funding the creation of a specialized service to provide transgender adolescents and young adults with peer support, medical care, and gender-responsive therapy. “Walk With Me” will launch this spring at Wheeler’s community health centers in Plainville and Hartford. It is an outpatient treatment track for LGBTQ+-identifying young people ages 10-25.
As part of an initiative funded by the City of Hartford and coordinated by the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford is hosting public vaccination events this winter and launching an awareness campaign around the need for flu and COVID-19 vaccination in the capital city.
A three-year, $2.7 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) will facilitate and expand family-based addiction treatment and other services for pregnant and postpartum women with histories of substance use disorders.
If there's anything we've learned from the past year, it's the power of--and need for--community, particularly communities that work together for a better future that is focused on wellness, justice, and peace for all. Wheeler's new tagline, COMMUNITY | HEALTH | CARE, reflects all of these.