West Hartford residents have donated $30,000 that will support having the Village Urgent Crisis Center, which provides critical youth mental health services, open seven days per week to meet community need.

Submitted 

West Hartford residents James and Anne Carroll are stepping up to help children who are struggling with their mental health through a $30,000 donation to The Village’s Urgent Crisis Center (UCC). The Carrolls’ generous contribution will support vital services that help youth during crisis situations and ensure they’re able to access care when they need it most.

The donation comes as The Village UCC extends its hours of operation to meet an increased need for the type of immediate mental health support it provides to youth. Effective April 7, the UCC – located at 1680 Albany Avenue in Hartford – is now open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 11 p.m.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Carrolls’ for their remarkable and generous donation to our work, especially as we expand our hours so that children can get help without having to wait,” said Village President & CEO Hector Glynn. “These funds will be a tremendous help not just to our program but to the youth we serve as we help them find stability in their time of need.”

“We believe that mental health should be a top priority for our community and the country. We were so excited to hear about The Village’s opening of the Urgent Crisis Center and we are happy to support this project,” James and Anne Carroll said.

Established to address the children’s mental health crisis in Connecticut, the UCC is an innovative, walk-in service that provides immediate support to youth who are experiencing challenges with anxiety and depression, feelings of hopelessness, out of control behaviors, thoughts of self-injury or suicide, substance use and more.

The Village’s UCC has helped nearly 1,000 children since opening in the summer of 2023. The UCC does not require appointments, and no family is denied services based on their ability to pay.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to James and Anne Carroll for their kindness and generosity,” state Rep. Tammy Exum said. “Their gift confirms they understand the importance of The Village for Families & Children’s Urgent Crisis Center (UCC), including the extension of its hours of operation and availability for children to access the care they need. The UCCs provide a highly effective alternative to the hospital emergency room for many children enduring a mental health crisis.”

Exum helped to lead passage of landmark legislation to address the state’s mental health crisis, including the creation of the state’s UCCs.

The Village UCC is one of four recently established programs in the state that’s specifically designed to provide a therapeutic alternative to hospital emergency departments for children and teens experiencing a mental health crisis. The UCCs feature soft, brightly colored furniture and comforting items like weighted blankets, fidget toys and more.

There are no waiting times at the UCCs. Youth are seen immediately, with an average visit lasting about four hours. During this time, they receive a comprehensive assessment from a multi-disciplinary team, including nurses, clinicians, family navigators, behavioral support specialists, and discharge planners. This team tailors services to meet each youth’s unique needs and ensures caregivers receive the guidance they need. Learn more at thevillage.org/ucc.

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