CANTON − CommQuest celebrated the opening of the agency's revitalized and expanded Canton Outpatient Campus on Friday.
CommQuest, which serves 16,000 people in Stark and Carroll counties, offers resources for mental health, addiction, employment and social services.
The new two-building campus at 601 Cleveland Ave. NW combines the agency's facilities on Cleveland Avenue NW and 1341 Market Ave. N into one location, streamlining appointments and screenings for clients.
Three years in the making, the consolidation is part of a $7 million facilities plan aimed at reducing the agency's physical footprint, while also enabling growth, said Elaine Russell Reolfi , CommQuest president and CEO.
CommQuest currently occupies 15 buildings in Stark County.
Reolfi said the new campuses enhance CommQuest's client-centered approach to care.
"This is the first step," she said. "We've developed a plan to consolidate our footprint, to make sure every building is operated appropriately and while we're at it, enhance the sensitivity to our clients' needs. It's a project that touches every one of our buildings in Stark County. Today is the first major milestone of that plan."
Reolfi noted that the new campus wouldn't have been possible without the support of local foundations, community leaders and CommQuest's dedicated staff and volunteers.
"We've asked so much of the 325 people and 100 volunteers who've worked at CommQuest in the last few years," she said. "Our team chooses to be here when most of them could have easier and higher paying jobs in private practice and a for-profit company, but they understand that this mission saves lives and helps people live their best lives."
On Friday, Dr. Michele Heberling celebrated her 19th anniversary at CommQuest. She said she's seen lives change for the better through the trauma-informed care that CommQuest provides.
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"We talk a lot about trauma-informed care," she said. "At its core, a trauma-sensitive facility means a space that feels safe, and that, from the moment an individual walks in, reflects back to that person that they are worth all the nice things. That message is elegantly reflected in the space."
Dr. Ashlie Martin, CommQuest's addiction medicine director, said the new campus is more than just a physical upgrade from their previous building, with its peeling paint and plumbing problems.
"These are things that our clients rarely complained about," Martin said. "It resembled a lot of their lives, but I know it's something they will appreciate and something they deserve. They're particularly happy that the core services they need are all on one floor."
Martin added that the consolidated campus will enable clients who have transportation or ambulatory challenges to take full advantage of the agency's services, as well as other neighboring programs such as the Samaritan Table meal program at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
"This is more than just a glamorous makeover," she said. "It can be a beacon for recovery."
CommQuest Board Chair Aimee Belden noted that for 100 years, CommQuest has been the largest such provider in Stark County, and lauded the leadership for delivering what the board envisioned.
"We know that this campus will be a place of healing and restoration for many," she said.
Canton Mayor William Sherer II and Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz were on hand for the event.
Reolfi said the Market Avenue N property will be sold.
To learn more, visit www.commquest.org or call 330-455-0374.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com .
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 'Beacon for recovery.' CommQuest dedicates new outpatient campus in downtown Canton
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