New York, NY/December 18, 2013 – New York-based architecture firm Bromley Caldari Architects today celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 15,000 square foot Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in the Bronx for Safe Horizon. The center will provide support to the victims of violence and abuse, and their families. The facility, Safe Horizon’s first CAC in the Bronx, will be full operational by January 2015.
“Our new Bronx Child Advocacy Center will provide coordinated protection and support to abused children and their families,” said Liz Roberts, Chief Program Officer of Safe Horizon. “Bromley Caldari has been instrumental in the design and planning process and we consider them strong allies in our mission to help victims of violence move from crisis to confidence.”
The CAC brings together staff from law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office, the Administration for Children’s Services, as well as pediatric medical providers. The facility is split into three parts: a place for victim interviews and counseling, administrative offices, and suspect holding and questioning.
The goal of this child advocacy center, which is reflected in its design, is to streamline the interview and counseling process for the victims of abuse and violence and make the children feel as safe and comfortable as possible during a difficult time.
Bromley Caldari designed the children’s reception area to accommodate a high amount of traffic if needed, while not feeling crowded. The reception area also features a place for children to play, large windows to allow in natural light, and a relaxing color palette.
“Safe Horizon provides vital and important services to ensure the safety of families and their children in New York City and we feel privileged to be a part of the team,” said Jerry Caldari, Principal at Bromley Caldari Architects.
Last year, Safe Horizon gave support to over 7,500 New York City children and, with the opening of this new center, Safe Horizon will become one of the largest single providers of child advocacy services in the US.
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About Bromley Caldari Architects
Bromley Caldari Architects (BCA) is an independent practice of architects, planners, and technical experts. Since 1991 the firm has served New York City, Long Island, Fire Island, and Upstate New York. Sustainability lies at the heart of BCA’s modernist designs, and the firm often incorporates aspects of green design into its projects. Bromley Caldari is best known for designing New York City’s first rooftop farm, Brooklyn Grange in Long Island City. They have previously worked with Safe Horizon to build a 24-unit safe house in Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood, in addition to providing general design consulting services on several other projects. Bromley Caldari have also provided design services for the American Federation of Arts, Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children, and the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center in the Bronx.
About Safe Horizon
Safe Horizon is the nation’s leading victim assistance organization and touches the lives of more than 250,000 affected by crime and abuse each year. Whether Safe Horizon is responding to child abuse, domestic violence, or other violent crimes in New York City, Safe Horizon helps victims and their families heal and rebuild their lives. For more information, please visit www.safehorizon.org.
