Bilezikian and White Families Honored at Baird Center Dedication
Saturday, May 5, 2007

First of five new residential facilities for at-risk youth launched

Plymouth, MA — Joan Wallace-Benjamin, President & CEO, The Home for Little Wanderers helped dedicated two new facilities at The Home’s Baird Center today. Wallace-Benjamin joined staff to launch the new Bilezikian Respite Center and took part in the groundbreaking of White House, the first of five new residential facilities for at-risk youth.

“This center fills a void in a troubled teenager’s life that our social service system often cannot fill,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “Early intervention and intensive one-on-one therapy in a home-like setting is a helpful prescription for getting boys back on track.”

The Bilezikian Respite Center, made possible by the Bilezikian family, will provide short-term therapeutic stays and intensive counseling for youth to avert family crises before they occur. The center will also act as a safety net for former Baird Center residents after their return to biological, foster care, or adoptive families.

“Too many teens fall through the cracks.” said Dorian Bilezikian “We wanted to give because there is such a gap in funding for this age group and we have always been impressed by the dedication and hard work of the staff at the Baird Center. ” She continued.

The groundbreaking for another new residential facility, made possible by a grant from the White Family Foundation, marks the start of a structured rebuilding program to modernize the campus facilities at Baird.

"Modern facilities are critical to helping The Home adapt its proven programs for kids at risk to the needs of today,” said John White. “We are pleased to sponsor this first new residence and encourage other South Shore families who share our concern to step up and be part of this effort."

The Sheehan Foundation also donated $50,000 to name a central room within the Bilezikian Respite Center. Other special gift opportunities exist for the remaining residences. For further information, contact Mark Holman at 617-585-7516.

Located on a 50-acre site in Plymouth, the Baird Center serves as a residential treatment center for boys from 10 to 16 years of age, and a community-based group home for boys from 13 to 18 years of age. Baird’s services include individual, family, and group therapy, evaluation and treatment. The Center also offers extensive group recreational activities and several pre-vocational programs for its older clients. The Baird Center School is an state-approved private special education school for academically and emotionally challenged boys from throughout the Commonwealth, and the only facility of its kind serving southeast Massachusetts, the Cape and Islands.