Checking In on the Sullivan Center

In July 2014, Community Solutions, Inc. opened the William and Faith Sullivan Center, a 27-bed program funded by the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC). The Sullivan Center provides residential re-entry work release for adult men, with an emphasis on helping clients obtain full-time employment while meeting self-sufficiency and family reunification goals.

While at the Sullivan Center, clients receive a variety of support services, including case management, individualized treatment plans, and cognitive behavioral groups. The program’s goals include assisting clients in maintaining stability in their lives, helping them receive successful discharges, and lowering their chances of reoffending.

The Center is named after William (Bill) Sullivan and his wife, Faith. Bill served CSI for twenty-four years, from 1989 to 2013, and was known for his integrity, diligence, and inspiration. Bill was a former member of the United States Air Force and worked in CSI’s adult residential and training divisions.

Bill was promoted a remarkable six times during his career with the agency. He was hired at CSI (then CT Halfway Houses Inc.) on November 16th, 1989 as a Counselor/Vacation Relief staff, then proceeded to work his way up through the Agency as follows:

• February 1993 – Promoted to Counselor Supervisor at Watkinson House.
• November 1995 – Promoted to Residential Training Coordinator.
• February 1998 – Promoted to Training Coordinator.
• July 2000 – Promoted to Program Specialist.
• July 2002 – Promoted to Program Specialist at Central Office.
• July 2003 – Transferred to Program Specialist for the Training Department.
• September 2006 – Promoted to Training & Quality Assurance Coordinator.

An official red, white, and blue themed Open House and Dedication Ceremony was held on Friday, August 22nd, 2014. The Open House was well attended, with Faith Sullivan and several of Bill’s family members present, along with a significant number of past and present CSI employees and referral sources. Dedication and remembrance speeches were made by Faith Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer Robert Pidgeon, Chief Operating Officer Sherry Albert, and Vice President of Development Aileen O’Connor. As part of the ceremony, a memorial plaque was unveiled. The plaque, which hangs in the front hallway of the program, honors Bill’s years of service and reads “This program is dedicated to Bill for his inspiration and integrity while holding us to the highest standards”.

Since its opening, the Sullivan Center has made some encouraging progress. According to Associate Program Director Barbara Davis, over the past few months, the program has seen an increase in the percentage of clients who achieve a successful discharge. As of March 24, 2015, the program was running at 100% capacity, with all 27 beds occupied by clients.

Chief Operating Officer Sherry Albert is encouraged by the results delivered so far by the program. “We are thrilled to be in this newly renovated facility. The gentlemen really appreciate the physical space, where they each get more privacy and space than in the former facility. There is always a special feeling whenever we say ‘Sullivan Center’, because it helps us think of Bill and remember him every single day.”

“Programmatically, we have really settled in. DOC staff are very comfortable in the space and we have continued to enjoy our partnership. Recently, Deputy Commissioner Murphy toured several Hartford-area programs, and DOC Parole chose to show him the Sullivan Center, one of the newest initiatives. We are tremendously honored that they chose to visit the Sullivan Center.”

As the Sullivan Center nears the close of its first year of operation, the signs are encouraging that it will continue to represent Bill and Faith Sullivan well.