Mental Health Association officially opens in Chicopee at 350 Memorial Dr.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — On Aug. 13, Mental Health Association officially moved its headquarters to Chicopee with a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new corporate office at 350 Memorial Dr. will provide essential services to individuals across Western Massachusetts, enhancing the support available to those who are most in need.
Since being founded in 1960, Mental Health Association, Inc. provides access to therapies for emotional health and wellness; services for substance use recovery; developmental disabilities; acquired brain injury; and services for housing and residential programming.
Mental Health Association, Inc. President and CEO Cheryl Fasano said, “We are thrilled to announce our move to this new facility. This move represents a significant investment in our mission and demonstrates our commitment to providing quality services to the people in our care.”
The move is said to allow MHA to keep pace with growth and locate its staff in one office. MHA also expects to create 45 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs over the next three years.
Fasano talked more about the staff and said, “I want to recognize the incredible staff of MHA. Their dedication, hard work and passion for helping others have been instrumental in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all [who] walk through our doors.”
It was announced in February that Mental Health Association would be moving its headquarters from Springfield to Chicopee. MassDevelopment issued a $6.5 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of Mental Health Association, Inc., to buy and renovate an approximately 78,378-square-foot building at 350 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee.
The building originally housed the Charles River West Psychiatric Hospital and most recently served as the MassMutual Learning and Conference Center.
Planning Director Lee Pouliot talked about how this move to Chicopee can also be helpful to the city.
Pouliot said, “MHA is a very reputable known entity in the region. They do manage a number of properties in the city and their services are very critical. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the city to welcome them and their very large staff to the city. Thinking through an economic development lens, that’s a lot of new people in the city on a regular basis that will be looking for goods and services consistently so I think overall it’s a very positive opportunity for us and I’m glad to work and collaborate with them in any way that would be helpful.”
Mayor John Vieau, state Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) and state Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) all took the podium to welcome the new center to Chicopee and representatives of other elected officials were also present.
Readers can visit mhainc.org to learn more about programs and hours of operation.
