News from Wheeler

More than 150 golfers, supporters, volunteers, and friends took part in Wheeler’s 34th Annual Golf Classic presented by Mutual of America at the Country Club of Farmington on June 10—an event that raised nearly $60,000 and crossed the $1.2-million fundraising mark since its inception in 1986.

Keturah Kinch, MPA, director of Health Center Community Engagement for Wheeler Clinic's Family Health & Wellness community health centers in Hartford, Bristol and New Britain, is featured in an Access Health CT social media campaign running this month as part of Mental Health Month.

Yesterday, 12 organizations and individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Wheeler at the organization’s 9th annual Hands & Hearts reception held at the Country Club of Farmington.

Congratulations to our Chief Financial Officer Athena Dellas, MBA, for her recognition on June 9 at the YWCA New Britain Women in Leadership Luncheon! More than 600 women have been celebrated for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the Greater New Britain community since 1985.

Teodoro Anderson Diaz, LCSW, LADC, a behavioral health care leader and practitioner, has joined Wheeler as vice president of Adult Outpatient Services.

Wheeler is named a Platinum-level Healthy Workplace by the Business Council of Fairfield County.

It’s been a remarkable year for Wheeler as we’ve honored our past 50 years and also accelerated growth that will carry us into the next 50.

As our 50th anniversary draws to a close, we asked Wheeler's leadership team for their thoughts on how the organization has evolved and grown for five decades. Here are some of their thoughts.

From the moment a group of community visionaries came together in the late 1960s to establish a center for treating children's mental health needs in Plainville, Wheeler has always been different.

When longtime friend, Bill Torres, reached out to Chris Skelly eight years ago about becoming involved with Wheeler, she was open to his recommendation.

A new edition of the Southington Behavioral Health Resource Directory, a comprehensive guide to behavioral health and community resources in Southington, is now available online at the Connecticut Clearinghouse website.

As we’ve celebrated our 50th anniversary this year, we’ve highlighted partners in our work, including AFCAMP, Saint Francis Healthcare Partners, FAVOR, the Connecticut Health Foundation, the Town of Plainville, and many more.

The following 50th anniversary stories highlight the leadership and contributions of two local residents and brothers, Ron and Rick Bucchi. Both individuals served on the Wheeler Board of Trustees and were instrumental in helping to guide the organization through periods of notable expansion.

Wheeler’s driving vision of innovation has long been supported by similarly visionary donors, and few fit that description better than Mary Fran and Peter Libassi.

Jane Tedder’s role in Wheeler’s success is both subtle and wide-ranging. A former trustee and vice chair, she helped the organization refocus, adapt, and change in important ways that ensured long-term growth. Today, she’s volunteering again, shaping philanthropic approaches during Wheeler’s 50th anniversary.