“My sanctuary”

Posted on February 28, 2017

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, each month we will be sharing a story that highlights one of our programs or treatment populations. Here is Marshall’s story, who lives at Odyssey House Park Avenue, one of our supportive housing programs.

supportive housing tenant Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and cerebral palsy as an adult, Marshall, 57, has faced a number of challenges. Before coming to Park Avenue, Marshall was homeless for almost two years. Like many others who lacked a stable living environment, Marshall worked with a few different programs, trying to find a place where he could rebuild his life. He found the process especially difficult as there were few places that could provide the resources he needed for his physical and mental health challenges that were also wheelchair accessible.

Then he was referred to Odyssey House. Since joining the Park Avenue community three years ago, Marshall has been able to live independently while still having access to the resources and case management services Odyssey House offers.

Marshall remembers the day his counselor told him his new home had a handicapped shower: “tears came out of my eyes. I am so thankful to Odyssey House for giving me my own place, one that allows me to move freely. It is my sanctuary.” He looks forward to each night when he can come home to his studio apartment, where he proudly displays the artwork he creates as part of the Odyssey House Art Project.

Odyssey House Park Avenue is a 50-unit, single occupancy apartment building for men and women with special needs. The building provides a supportive, independent living environment for individuals who have overcome many life challenges, including mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and homelessness.

Ribbon cutting officially opens new supportive housing program

Posted on June 24, 2010

A ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday marked the official opening of Park Avenue, our new supportive housing program in East Harlem. More than 100 Odyssey House employees, supporters and community members attended the celebration, which featured speeches by Adolfo Carrion, Regional Administrator, US Department of Housing & Urban Development; Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet; and New York State Office of Mental Health officials Michael Newman (Director, Bureau of Housing Development & Support) and Caren Abate (Assistant Housing Director, NYC Field Office).

Mr. Carrion, a former Bronx borough president and a longtime proponent of supportive housing, thanked Odyssey House for “helping people live their lives in more productive ways,” a sentiment echoed by Park Avenue tenant Jack C., who said the program has given him the opportunity to improve his life. Jack, who has struggled with depression and substance abuse for many years, called his new home his “oasis.” He continued, “For the first time in a long time, I know better days are ahead and I’m optimistic for the future.”

See earlier posts for more information about the program. Check out photos of the building and ribbon cutting ceremony on Flickr.

Park Avenue ribbon cutting: Wednesday, June 23rd

Posted on June 21, 2010

Odyssey House will officially open Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 23rd at 10 am. Adolfo Carrion, Regional Director, US Department of Housing & Urban Development, will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Open for occupancy since March, Park Avenue is a new 50-unit, single occupancy building for men and women with special needs. The building provides a supportive, independent living environment for individuals who have overcome many life challenges, including mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and homelessness. The tenants have all completed treatment for mental illness problems and are able, with minimal support, to live in community-based housing.

The building has a number of amenities designed to allow tenants to live independently, including a well-furnished gym, laundry room, multi-purpose meeting room, communal dining room, and lounges on each floor to encourage socialization. The landscaped backyard features an art installation by the Odyssey House Art Project, “Becoming Whole,” which explores life’s journey of discovery from infancy through adulthood.

The project was developed by Odyssey House with capital and operational funding from New York State Office of Mental Health and capital from low-income housing tax credits. The land was acquired from New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development through ULURP. The building was designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives and built by Rende Contracting Corporation.

Photos of the building, including the art installation, are available on Flickr. Read about the construction of the building here.

Supportive housing building opens in East Harlem

Posted on March 23, 2010

Construction on our 50-unit long-term housing development on 123rd Street – named Park Avenue – has finally been completed. The residence, which officially opened for occupancy on March 9th, will provide transitional housing to individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Odyssey House will provide supportive services for the residents, many of whom will be reintegrating into the community after a period of hospitalization.

Check out some of the photos of the building, which was designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives. We’ll post more when the art installations and landscaping have been completed. Photos of the construction in progress can be seen here and here.

Park Avenue

Lobby

Kitchen (for special events)

Lounge

Typical residential floor

Unit kitchen

East Harlem Supportive Housing Development: Construction Update #2

Posted on July 27, 2009

Construction on our 50-apartment, long-term housing development at 123rd Street in East Harlem continues. The first complete floor is scheduled to be handed over to us with a temporary certificate of occupancy in mid-October. The entire building will be operational and fully occupied by the end of the year. Check out the pictures below to see the progress.

The bricks are being installed on the exterior of the building as interior walls are going up. Below is a close up of the front façade brick and cast stone details.

Scaffolding has been erected at the rear façade the entire height of the building to facilitate masonry and cast stone detail. After that is complete, the windows will be installed.

Here’s a video of the scaffolding being erected.

Framing and plumbing work being completed on the first floor and the cellar.

The interior of an apartment. All of the electical work is done and phone/data/cable connections have been installed by Time Warner Cable and Verizon. The walls have been closed up and priming/painting to begin shortly.

The bathtubs are in place and tiling has started.

For more information about the building, as well as photos from the July 2007 groundbreaking ceremony, please click here.

East Harlem Supportive Housing Development: Construction Update #1

Posted on February 3, 2009

Construction is progressing rapidly on the 50-apartment, long-term housing development at 123rd Street in East Harlem. The building will provide a supportive, independent living environment for individuals who have overcome mental health problems and drug, alcohol and/or significant medical conditions.

The main structure was completed in early 2009 and is scheduled to open in September. An architectural rendering of the building is available in our Fall 2007 Newsletter.

February 2009

Odyssey House broke ground on on the project in July 2007. Below are photos showing the progression of the construction from the groundbreaking through winter 2008.