Program Updates

Several MHASP Programs Move to New Locations

Several MHASP programs have recently moved to new locations in an effort to accommodate the increased demand for their services.

Friends Connection Has New Place to Call Home

Friends Connection, an MHASP program offering peer support and counseling for people with mental illness and substance abuse problems, has moved to its new location at Riverview Place, 520 N. Delaware Ave., Suite 200.

Dedication Ceremony Marks Consumer Center's Re-Opening

The Delaware County Project SHARE Consumer Center finally has a new home. Since a fire destroyed its building 18 months ago, the center has been temporarily housed at the Collingdale Church of the Nazarene in Collingdale.

Now at 401 Chester Pike, the center, in conjunction with the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, celebrated its re-opening on Jan. 14. The ceremony featured the dedication of the center's new library to the memory of Carmen Meek, MHASP's former group coordinator for community services. Meek died on June 5, 1998.

Recent Move Leads to Bigger and Better ACCESS-West Philly

ACCESS-West Philly has moved to a bigger, brighter and more beautiful location at 5070 Parkside Ave., Suite 2300. The new space will help it to better meet the increased demand for its programs and services.

The program, formerly located at 30 S. 30th St., works with chronically homeless consumers, many of whom also have a substance abuse problem.

Many who participate in ACCESS already have "flunked out" of traditional treatment services and/or have been labeled "non-compliant" or "unserviceable," said Chris Simiriglia, division director for residential and treatment services.

She said that both the Intensive Case Management Unit and Resource Coordination Team at ACCESS continue to work with more than 50 "difficult" consumers targeted by the city's Sidewalk Control Ordinance. One goal of the ordinance, which was enacted last winter, was to move homeless people off the streets of Center City.