Pavillon Treatment Center in Mill Spring recently announced it has received a $20,000 grant from the Richard J. Reynolds III and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation. This is the first major donation to the centers Giving Back Going Forward campaign.

Pavillon officials say the grant is the spark that will ignite Pavillons new welcome center project, slated to begin before years end.

The new 6,500 square foot facility will house patient admissions and intake counseling, family intervention and administrative support services.

Since opening in 1996 as a non-profit residential center for the treatment and recovery of addiction, Pavillon has housed virtually all patient and administrative services under one roof.

Although the existing facility has served the region for many years, an annually increasing patient census, along with corresponding growth in staff, has resulted in serious overcrowding and a growing concern for patient and family privacy, explained Anne Vance, CEO for Pavillon.

This has prompted a growing need for the new welcome center.

While operating revenues will supply a portion of the funds for construction of the center, philanthropy will also play a major role.

At a time when foundations are being inundated with requests for funding, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of the Reynolds Foundation and for their confidence in us as we move forward to build a state of the art facility to serve our patients and families, said Vance. We look forward to not only meeting, but exceeding, their expectations.

The foundation, which selectively funds capital projects primarily in North Carolina, focuses on health-related construction efforts that benefit patients and their families.

Because admitting a loved one for treatment of addiction is a difficult and sensitive time for all concerned, Vance said, it is vitally important to provide an appropriate space that is conducive to open and honest dialog in a safe, comfortable, and secluded area. Once completed, the new welcome center will be such a space, Vance said.

As these services are transitioned into the new facility, the vacated space in the existing building will be renovated for direct patient services, including residential inpatient treatment, patient meeting rooms, all medical services, a new and upgraded detox unit, counseling rooms and all other clinical services.

For more information, or to support the Giving Back, Going Forward campaign, visit Pavillon at www.pavillon.org or call 800-392-4808, Ext. 231.