Christian Health celebrated the opening of a new outdoor patio for Gracepoint, its partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient mental health program, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Wyckoff campus last week.
The outdoor project was made possible by a $75,000 challenge grant from The Bolger Foundation, which matched funds raised by the Christian Health Foundation.
Gracepoint provides voluntary, group-based treatment for adults ages 18 and older navigating complex mental health challenges. Operating as an intermediate level of care between traditional outpatient counseling and inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, the program offers structured daytime therapeutic activities.
The newly constructed patio provides clients, visiting family members, and clinical staff with a dedicated, quiet environment to take breaks, recharge, and connect outdoors during daily treatment schedules.
“Having access to a peaceful outdoor space gives clients an opportunity to enjoy fresh air and take a restorative break during a full day of treatment and therapeutic activities,” Stephen Dumke, president and CEO of Christian Health, said. “We hope the patio will also give families and our team members a comfortable place to connect and support those in our care. We’re grateful to The Bolger Foundation for its standing partnership and for helping make projects like this possible.”
The project marks the latest collaboration between Christian Health and The Bolger Foundation, which has contributed more than $5.9 million to the nonprofit health provider over the past two decades. Previous foundation grants funded the Bolger Gym and Wellness Center as well as a major $2 million grant in 2021 to renovate Southgate Special Care, a specialized behavioral community for adults living with dementia and mood disorders.
“The Bolger Foundation is proud of its long relationship with Christian Health,” J.T. Bolger, President of The Bolger Foundation, said. “We recognize the value that welcoming outdoor spaces can have for people receiving mental health care. We’re glad to help create a place where Gracepoint clients can spend time outside as they work toward wellness.”
The morning ribbon-cutting brought together Christian Health leadership, foundation trustees, and Wyckoff municipal officials.
Attending dignitaries included Wyckoff Township Mayor Roger Lane, Committeemen Rudy Boonstra and Peter Melchionne, Township Administrator Matt Cavallo, and Lieutenants Joe Soto and Kevin Kasak of the Wyckoff Police Department.
They were joined by Christian Health leaders, including CEO Emeritus Doug Struyk; Executive Vice President and COO Amy Shotmeyer Porter; Alexis Totaro, Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive of Mental Health Services; Susan Kelly, Vice President of Development and Foundation; Ellsworth Whiteman, Chair of the Christian Health Foundation Board; and Tom Dykhouse, Chair of the Christian Health Board of Trustees.
