Search for Change, a not for profit organization, has been a pioneer in the mental health community for over 25 years with a reputation for providing quality rehabilitative services to individuals with mental illness.

Our Mission Statement

Search for Change is dedicated to improving the quality of life and increasing the self-sufficiency of individuals with emotional, social and economic barriers throughout Westchester Putnam and Fairfield Counties. We teach the skills needed to choose, obtain and maintain desirable housing, meaningful employment, higher education and productive relationships with family and friends. Our programs and services are focused on individual choices, needs, interests and abilities. Dedicated staff is available twenty-four hours a day, three-hundred sixty-five days a year to provide support and care to the individuals we serve and their families.

Our History

• 1975 Search for Change began as a small halfway house.
• 1982 Mamaroneck house opened.
• 1983 Scarsdale house opened with overwhelming support of the neighborhood.
• 1984 Vocational services (QUIP) offered with assistance of IBM at Mamaroneck.
• 1985 First halfway house in Putnam County, Friends of Elliot House later renamed Village Housing, which would later merge with Search For Change.
• 1988 Carmel Townhouse purchased; QUIP opened in Norwalk, CT; Search For Change took the initiative in hiring clients as employees.
• 1989 SFC began hosting "Family Days"; as well as involving the family in treatment.
• 1990 First Search for Change Supported Housing beds opened with the help of OMH.
• 1991 SFC's Vocational Services first accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (C.A.R.F.).
• 1994 Vocational Services receives international accreditation;
  Career Quest started for individuals seeking employment in fields other than clerical. Medicaid reimbursement for licensed Residential Treatment began.
• 1997 Residential Program receives international accreditation.
• 1998 Search for Change merges with Village Housing to become one of the largest rehabilitation programs in this region of New York State; beginning of Respite Care in Wyndover.
• 1999 Annual Art Lewis Award initiated to honor exemplary achievement in rehabilitation and recovery.
• 2000 NBC reports on SFC and its community enriching work.
• 2001 Twenty Supported Housing beds granted bringing the residential bed total to 238.
• 2003 Three ACT beds granted.

Executive Director
Ron Kavanaugh

Associate
Executive Director
Tricia Hollister-Doyle

Clinical Director
David Boyd

Director of
Vocational Services
Vinny Sceri

Fiscal Director
Thomas Watson

Director of
Human Resources
April Squillante

Board of
Directors:

Chairperson
Elizabeth Hudak, Esq.

Members
Agueda Arniella
Peter Athan
Joel Freyer
Elizabeth Hudak
Kenneth Kruger
Marita McMahon
Valerie Nanni
Patricia Reilly
Timothy Sullivan
Charlene Kalbfell
Beth Essig, Esq.

Advisory Board
Don Swallow
Mark Russakoff, M.D.
James Metalios