Major Win for Mental Health Services in Crown Heights!
Community Counseling & Mediation (CCM) is proud to announce a major milestone: we have been awarded $1,000,000 in capital funding by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso as part of the FY 2025–2026 City Budget. This allocation will support a full renovation of our Classon/Crown Heights Clinic at 810 Classon Avenue, significantly enhancing our ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive mental health services to Brooklyn residents.
This transformational project will expand the number of clinic treatment rooms, allowing us to serve more clients and meet the rising demand for mental health care. In addition to expanding our therapeutic capacity, the renovation will incorporate trauma-informed design elements—natural light, calming colors, and open, welcoming spaces—to promote healing and wellness. The clinic also houses CCM’s vital Youth and Education programs, including the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s Out-Of-School Time (DYCD OST), Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and our OASAS Addiction and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), which together serve thousands of youth and adults who struggle with substance abuse and mental health issues annually.
This award is the result of an extraordinary team effort. Special thanks to Diane Lipman and Cindy Freidmutter, our architect Andre Soluri, CCM’s team: Controller Size Qiu, Communications & Marketing Coordinator Sophia Romero-Benz, and Executive Assistant Natalie Cruz, who led the application process, and to President and CEO Mr. Douglas Brooks for his unwavering support and guidance. This achievement also marks a major milestone for the development of CCM’s External Relations Department, which is under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer and Chief of External Relations, Carmen Collado.
Going forward, we anticipate welcoming New York City Council Members who’d like to tour our facilities in the hopes that we may secure additional capital funding next year, as CCM will continue advocating for full funding support. And we are excited to welcome Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso to the Classon Clinic, so he can see firsthand how his financial contribution will transform our community.
This achievement increases CCM’s visibility as a trusted government partner and demonstrates the powerful impact of sustained advocacy, relationship-building, and teamwork. With this funding, CCM is poised to expand access to high-quality behavioral health services and youth programming for years to come.
Thank you again to our CCM staff, clients and supporters, with another special thank you to Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso, his office, Deputy of Capital and Expense Budget Astrid Cuas, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Yamilka Mena.
Stay tuned for updates as we begin this exciting renovation journey!
