Gandara opens new Springfield clinic that will expand access to mental health services
SPRINGFIELD — In 1977, Mercy Medical Center offered a small unused office to open a mental health and substance abuse program designed to help a wave of Hispanic migrants who needed help from those who understood their own language and culture.
Gandara Center was born and then expanded and expanded again. Now, 48 years later, it has grown again to open a full-service clinic off St. George Street in the North End, within walking distance of many of its clients.
Statistics show 47% of Springfield residents are Hispanic and 39% of city residents speak a language other than English, with the majority being Spanish speakers. Of the 2,100 people who struggle with homelessness in greater Springfield, 41% are Latino, said Lois Nesci, chief executive officer of Gandara.
At the same time Latinos receive mental health services at a rate that is about 28% lower than the overall population due to a number of factors including a lack of resources and treatment options, transportation difficulties and the stigma especially around substance abuse, she said.
"We continue to provide behavioral health care and we continue to grow," Nesci said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.
The new 2,100-square-foot center, which was built largely with $640,000 in federal funding, will be staffed with a little more than 20 people who will be able to help 2,000 clients, she said.
The completion of the center, which is expected to be open before the end of the year, is happening at a time when thousands across the country are at risk of losing health care benefits and those who live in poverty are losing other safety nets as well.
"We have to move forward and we have to support the people in our community, especially with what is going on now," she said.
While Gandara started as an organization to provide culturally appropriate services to Latinos, it is open to everyone and has clients of all cultures and races receive help there. But the majority of its patron are Hispanic, mainly because its locations are in or near neighborhoods with a strong Latino population, Nesci said.
Along with behavioral health services, Gandara also offers other multiple other services including in-home therapy for youth, prevention services, and residential programs for youth and intellectually and developmentally delayed people, she said.
Gandara staff has been discussing the need to expand for at least eight years. The opening of the center will mean shorter wait times, more clinicians and give more access to health care, said Chelsea Bryant, vice president of behavioral health and recovery.
The event drew representatives from agencies across the community who serve as partners to ensure Gandara can be a resource for everyone. City officials, including state Sen. Adam Gomez and State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, also attended to celebrate the opening.
Staff also thanked Sister Mary Caritas Geary, the former president of Mercy Medical Center, who is 102 for her foresight to offer space for the first clinic and her long support of the agency.
She gave a short speech praising the long-term work and growth of the agency.
The money was awarded due to the work of U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Jesse Lederman, an aide to Markey and a former Springfield city councilor, called Gandara a beacon that ensures every person in the community has access to the care they deserve.
Gonzalez said by opening that small office, a seed was planted that grew into something that serves the whole community.
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