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Spectrum Health receives grant from Patrick Lee Foundation to help rebuild storm-damaged counseling center

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Wed, Jan 29th 2025 08:35 pm

Press Release 

Spectrum Health and Human Services, one of the region’s largest providers of behavioral health services, was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Patrick P. Lee Foundation.

The gift was made to support the restoration of Spectrum Health’s downtown Buffalo center at 1280 Main St. The site was severely damaged during the Christmas 2022 winter storm when water pipes in the building’s fire suppression system ruptured and released thousands of gallons of water throughout the four-floor structure. The interior space is being completely restored, and other necessary repairs were made to the structure.

“We are very grateful to the Lee Foundation for understanding the importance of this location to the individuals and the community we serve in the urban core,” said Cindy Voelker, Spectrum Health president and CEO. “More than 125 team members work at this location, including counselors from our clinic and staff from our many critical community and outreach services. Some staff are now providing services from leased space nearby in the St. Vincent DePaul Center at 1298 Main St. We’re grateful to our neighbors for welcoming our team and our clients while we rebuild. Other staff members are temporarily located in various locations.

“Spectrum Health is fortunate to have the support of the Lee Foundation for this project. We are diligently working to secure the remaining funding needed to complete the restoration of this critical location and the services Spectrum Health has provided to the community for more than 50 years.”

Jane Mogavero, executive director of the Patrick P. Lee Foundation, said, “As one of the largest mental health providers in the region, Spectrum Health cares for thousands of our community members each year. The Lee Foundation recognizes the importance of restoring services to the Main Street location for both Spectrum Health patients and employees. We hope others will join us in supporting this project and ensure Spectrum Health’s services remain accessible to city residents.”

The building was constructed in 1914 for the Foster Milburn Co., a pharmaceutical company, and was designed by Colson-Hudson, a prominent local architectural firm at the time. It was later the home to the Otis Elevator company. Spectrum Health purchased the site in 2015.

“The building holds meaning for Spectrum Health and also for the neighborhood, and with the foundation’s help, we’ll be able to continue serving our clients’ recovery there for several years,” Voelker said.

Spectrum Health and Human Services provides mental health, addiction, rehabilitation, care coordination, housing, and crisis services in locations throughout Western New York. Founded in 1973, it is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC). Visit www.shswny.org for more information.

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