Riverside Park Ribbon Cutting

On a cool, clear early March morning in Riverside Park, an eight-unit complex was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Broward Housing Solutions, a Fort Lauderdale-based non-profit organization that provides permanent and affordable housing to lower income persons struggling with mental illness.

With a financial assist from Broward County and The Wasie Foundation, Broward Housing Solutions was able to renovate the property at 1921 SW Fourth Street.

Now tenants, who receive support services from seven local mental health organizations, live in beautiful new apartments.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Romney Rogers, Jen Klaassens, director of  programs for The Wasie Foundation, Judges Eileen O’Connor and Mark Speiser, Joseph Balocco Sr., and Joseph Balocco Jr., from Joseph Balocco Law Offices, Nancy Merolla and Alex Ciprian, from The Florida Department of Children and Families, Ursula Williams from The Pantry of Broward, Maggie DeCambre, Director of Behavioral Health of Broward Health, Stephen Ferrante, CEO of Broward County Elderly & Veteran Services, Ana Hernandez from The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale, and Lisa Vecchi, CEO of Broward Housing Solutions, which owns and manages the property.“We are happyto have been able to help convert these apartments into an environment that thetenants will enjoy and be proud to call home,” Klaassens said.

Finding affordable places to call home is what Broward Housing Solutions is all about, added Broward Housing’s Lisa Vecchi.

“Many of ourtenants have lived on the street because their mental health issues havespiraled out of control and their support systems have broken down,” saidVecchi.  “By assisting them with affordable,high quality housing, we take a huge burden off their shoulders so they mayfocus on improving their mental health. We are so grateful to Broward Countyand The Wasie Foundation for helping us make this happen."