On Monday, October 29th, Dattner Architects joined Institute for Community Living (ICL), Community Healthcare Network, Paul Francis from the NYS Health & Human Services, NYS Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, City Council Rafael Espinal, and partnering community leaders for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the East New York Health Hub.
Institute for Community Living and community members came together to celebrate a 31-year commitment to improving lives and strengthening neighborhoods. With a nonprofit goal of providing health care services in the most underserved areas of the city, ICL truly does essential work to advocate for the community’s physical, mental, and behavioral health needs. The opening of the Hub will have a transformative impact on East New York.
Dattner Architects retained and rehabilitated a portion of the existing three-story, turn-of-the-century structure, and paired it with new construction to expand ICL’s programs from 9,000 to 45,000 square feet. East New York Health Hub, conceived as a one-stop-shop community health facility, provides nine different health programs ranging from mental health and social services to care coordination. The building’s design encourages both physical and mental healing through visual connections to nature and the community. Garden and terrace spaces, views, and access to light and air reinforce the link to the natural environment, while framing activities to engage the street and support the relationship with the community. All spaces were designed with careful consideration for ICL’s diverse support programs and promote safety, wellness, and a sense of community.
During this ribbon cutting ceremony, members from the Institute for Community Living reflected on the opening of this new facility.
“Today is the culmination of a dream that began with the people of East New York who guided us every step of the way to ensure that the East New York Health Hub is welcoming and accessible to all. There is one door into the Hub: Everyone who walks through that door will have access to the highest levels of health and mental health care and to crucial community resources.” – Institute for Community Living
This community-based care center will build vital health assets and drive long-term outcomes for the people and families in East New York. We are proud to have collaborated on such an important community facility!
