$606,000 Raised for New Community Health Center at
One Hope Street
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.
The expanded goal of $555,000 was set in 2023—raised from the original goal of $500,000—in honor of Wheeler’s 55th anniversary.
The fundraising campaign was publicly announced in February 2022, after a year in silent phase, which raised $280,000 in gifts and pledges at the time of public launch.
More than 500 individual donors contributed to the campaign, through outright gifts and pledges; participation in the 38th Annual Wheeler Golf Classic, which netted approximately $78,000; or by sponsoring a named brick at One Hope Street. Approximately 20 individuals or organizations contributed more than $10,000 in gifts or pledges.
The named brick campaign is on track to have at least 100 bricks in place when the facility opens later in 2024, with a goal of 125. Bricks are available for purchase through March 1, 2024, on Wheeler’s website.
Significant contributions to the Bristol fundraising campaign were made by:
- Barnes Group Foundation, which made the initial anchor pledge of $100,000
- Wheeler's volunteer board of trustees, who exceeded their goal of $100,000 through 100% participation
- Wheeler executive and senior leadership, who exceeded their goal of $80,000
- The estate of Hall "Cap" Adams, Jr., which is supporting an education and training area in the building
- The family of Ray Corsini, Wheeler's longest-serving trustee, who are supporting a second teaching and demonstration kitchen in a Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, with the first located in Hartford since 2018, as well as nutrition services and programming in Bristol
- Voya Financial®, through matching contributions and employee giving
- An anonymous donor's support in memory of former Wheeler Executive Director David Berkowitz, PhD
- Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation
- And more
“The generosity and support of the Bristol community and beyond are remarkable,” said Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, president and chief executive officer of Wheeler Health. “One Hope Street represents our vision of a healthier community for everyone, and our donors invested in hope for a vibrant, revitalized downtown Bristol. We can’t wait to open our doors."
Wheeler’s 46,000-square-foot community health center and administrative headquarters at One Hope Street will offer integrated primary and behavioral health care for all ages, treatment for substance use disorders, nutrition services, and much more. It is Wheeler’s first newly constructed facility since its original location in 1972.
“Everything starts with a vision, and this achievement reflects the collective effort of a broad community of individuals and organizations that embraced our vision for Bristol,” said Mary C. Rodier, CPA, chair, Wheeler Board of Trustees. “This campaign, and what we were able to accomplish, embody the very best in us and are vibrant expressions of our hope for residents of Bristol and surrounding communities.”
“For decades, Wheeler has been an essential part of the Bristol community, providing compassionate care and services for individuals and families, and the Barnes company and Family has proudly supported this organization from its first days,” said Thomas O. Barnes, chairman of the board of Barnes Group, as well as its charitable foundation and longtime Wheeler supporter. “We are honored to help support this extraordinary new chapter.”
TIMELINE FOR ONE HOPE STREET, BRISTOL
- August 19, 2024 - Behavioral health and all other services will begin.
- August 13, 2024 - Primary (medical) care will begin.
- July 30, 2024 - A Ribbon Cutting and Celebration of Hope event planned
- July 22, 2024 - Additional Wheeler administrative staff have moved into the building.
- July 15, 2024 - Wheeler administrative staff began their move into One Hope Street, with all administrative staff expected to move by August 1.
- June 2024 - Our Bricks for Hope have arrived, and will be installed soon!
- April 2024 - The new building sign looks great!
- Winter 2024 - Construction continues strong throughout the winter!