New Family Center Being Built on Brown Street

(Aug. 9, 2005) – Over 150 gathered on Brown Street the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 9, to mark the beginning to the construction of Catholic Social Services’ new $2.5 million, 14,500-square-foot Family Center.

Located at 1024 Brown St., the facility will help Catholic Social Services better serve its 25,000 clients by consolidating its child and family service programs and expanding its space.

"I promise you, on this very spot, generations of children and families will find the comfort and support they need," said the Rev. David Brinkmoeller, Dayton dean of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, after sprinkling holy water on the site.

The Family Center will house Catholic Social Services' adoption and birth parent counseling programs, Erma's House Family Visitation Center, teen outreach, child attachment therapy, and its family counseling and parenting services. All programs will remain operational throughout construction. After the Family Center is completed, the current Erma's House, a renovated old home located next to the site, will be demolished to make way for additional parking.

"Brown Street will continue to see new business growth over the next few years," said Dick Ferguson, executive director of the Raymond L. Fitz, S.M., Center for Leadership in Community, during the groundbreaking ceremony. "UD's purchase of the former NCR land, now called Campus West, has added to the private sector's enthusiasm for Brown Street redevelopment. Catholic Social Services' Family Center is coming to a vibrant neighborhood and a confident business district."

The Genesis Project -- a major redevelopment of the area's residential and business properties led by numerous partners, including the University of Dayton and Miami Valley Hospital -- supported the Family Center construction by offering the use of land on which the center will sit. Catholic Social Services officials also hope UD students and faculty will initiate internships and service learning projects that will be held at the new Family Center.

“As we begin our 85th anniversary year, we are excited to share our vision for the future,” said Ronald Eckerle, executive director of Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley. “Our changes and growth will make it possible for us to improve and expand our service delivery. With the new facilities, we will have new opportunities to serve our community and collaborate with new partners.”

The agency also is renovating its administrative offices on Riverview Avenue and its Miami Valley Family Care Center on the grounds of the Veteran’s Administration facility. Work on the Family Center should be completed by June 2006.