Boley Centers, Inc.
Where Recovery Works!

About Boley Centers

Established in 1970, Boley Centers, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit organization serving persons in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Sarasota Counties.

With more than 30 housing and service center locations scattered throughout Pinellas County, the Organization comprises a wide variety of treatment, rehabilitation and vocational services; a network of living opportunities in community residences and apartments and a large staff of dedicated people.

Staff and consumers work together utilizing a combination of rehabilitation programs and supports designed to maximize a person's ability to attain his or her goals and to maintain tenure in the community.

Boley Centers' residential options -- from highly structured group homes to permanent, supported apartments to home ownership -- provide affordable, attractive, safe living opportunities for over 700 consumers, making Boley Centers a leader in residential services and housing opportunities in the southeast.

Boley Centers' eligible programs have been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 1989.

Historical Perspective

  • Boley Centers, Inc. was founded in 1970 as a 20-bed halfway house for men.

  • In 1979, Boley was chosen as one of three sites in the State of Florida to develop a "Deinstitutionalization Project." As a result, Boley expanded from 31 to 200 beds.

  • Introduced the Annual Jingle Bell Run in 1982 which is now the 3rd largest running event in the Tampa Bay area and the Agency's top fund raiser.

  • In 1984, Boley purchased its first residential facility.

  • In 1987, Boley Centers launched a Supported Employment pilot project.

  • In 1988, Boley opened its first HUD 811 funded project - Bessie Boley and Ruth Mosher Apartments.

  • Boley Centers initiated a Supported Housing Program and added Assertive Resources Management Services (ARMS) and vocational services to Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) youth in 1992.

  • By 1994, all residential facilities had been converted from rental to Agency-owned.

  • Formed the Building Bridges Committee after the civil disturbances in 1996 in an effort to "bridge the gap" within the community.

  • Established a Disabled Home Ownership Program with Pinellas County in 1997; this program was chosen as a HUD Best Practices in 1998.

  • Received a collaborative grant from IAPSRS through the Department of Labor to provide a Best Practices Supported Employment Program in 1998.

  • In 1999, Boley Centers was awarded 75 HUD Section 8 rent subsidy vouchers through HUD's Mainstream Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Program on an annual basis for a five year period. Boley Centers was the only not-for-profit in the state of Florida to receive such an award. Boley was awarded an additional 75 vouchers in 2001 and 31 vouchers in 2005, expanding the agency’s Mainstream Housing Program to 181 vouchers.

  • Boley Centers began administering 25 HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS) vouchers for Pinellas County in 2000. In 2001, 75 more vouchers were awarded, expanding the program to 100.

  • In 2000, Boley launched its Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team.

  • Boley Centers took over the YouthBuild St. Petersburg Program from Career Options in 2001.

  • In 2001, Boley Centers joined the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Program through the University of South Florida's Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.

  • In 2001, Boley Centers celebrated the grand opening and dedication of the Paula J. Hays Center, the agency's 28,000 square foot administration and services building.

  • In 2002, Boley Centers celebrated its 20th Anniversary of the Jingle Bell Run.

  • Boley Centers' YOUR Neighborhood Store and Drive-Thru Donation Centers was launched in 2003.

  • In 2003, Boley Centers increased its services by adding the Summer Youth Intern Program and the Case Management Service Coordinator Program.

  • In 2004, Boley Centers was awarded 20 housing vouchers for homeless families and 20 vouchers for families living with HIV/AIDS through City of St. Petersburg HOME funds.

  • Boley Centers received funding through the US Department of Housing & Urban Development, the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, for the development of a Safe Haven in 2004. A Safe Haven helps men and women who are homeless and suffering from mental illnesses to get off of the streets and into effective treatment and housing.

  • In 2004, Boley Centers implemented Role Recovery Programming within its Residential Program.

  • In 2004, Boley Centers received funding for Fair Housing Education and Outreach.

  • Also in 2004, Boley Centers was awarded 21 Shelter Plus Care vouchers through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  • In 2005, Boley Centers implemented the Jail Diversion Program, providing housing opportunities for individuals exiting the Pinellas County Jail.

  • In 2005, Boley Centers introduced its Forensic Residential Treatment Program, designed to assist forensic clients who are not competent to proceed in the judicial process due to their mental illness.

  • Also in 2005, Boley Centers received funding to expand its Vocational Services into Hillsborough County.

  • In 2006, Boley Centers began work on the Mental Health Treatment Study, a national three year research grant providing Supported Employment services to SSDI recipients.

  • In 2006, Boley Centers opened Safe Haven, a 25 bed homeless program.

  • Also in 2006, Boley Centers began offering Employment services in Manatee and Sarasota Counties

Group Homes

  • Wild Acres was purchased in 1985 and provides 13 beds. It was financed through a Pinellas County Community Development Block Grant.

  • Martin Lott was purchased in 1990 and provides 14 beds. It was financed through a City of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant.

  • Celia Hall was purchased in 1991 and provides 16 beds. It was financed through the original owner of the facility.

  • Edna Stephens was purchased in 1991 and provides 14 beds. The home was donated and relocated to a piece of property already owned by the Agency. Rehabilitation was financed through a conventional loan.

  • Markus Mittermayr was constructed in 1994 and provides 15 beds. It was financed through a HUD 811 grant.


Supervised Apartments

  • Owl's Nest Apartments were purchased in 1988 and provide 20 units. It was financed through a City of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant.

  • The Oaks Apartments were donated to Boley Centers in 1990 from the City of St. Petersburg and provide 20 units.


Permanent Supported Housing

  • Covert Apartments were purchased in 1984 and provide 18 units. It was financed through a Pinellas County Community Development Block Grant.

  • Tyrone Apartments were purchased in 1987 and provide 10 units. It was financed through a Pinellas County Community Development Block Grant.

  • Bessie Boley Apartments were constructed in 1988 and provide 20 units. It was financed through a HUD 202/811 grant.

  • Ruth Mosher Apartments were constructed in 1988 and provide 20 units. It was financed through a HUD 202/811 grant.

  • Marconi Apartments were purchased in 1992 and provide 8 units. It was financed through a City of St. Petersburg Community Development Block grant and HUD McKinney Act funds.

  • Old Southeast Apartments were purchased in 1993 and provide 3 units. It was financed through an HRS contract.

  • Forest Meadows Apartments were constructed in 1993 and provide 15 units. It was financed through a HUD 811 grant.

  • Forest Lane Apartments were constructed in 1993 and provide 24 units. It was financed through a HUD 811 grant.

  • Kenwood Apartments were purchased in 1994 and provide 7 units. It was financed through a City of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant and HUD McKinney Act funds.

  • Butterfly Apartments were purchased in 1995 and provide 12 units. It was financed through a City of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant and HUD McKinney Act funds.

  • Grove Street Apartments were purchased in 1995 and provide 9 units. It was financed through a City of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant and HUD McKinney Act funds.

  • Shady Pines Apartments were constructed in 1999 and provide 8 units. It was financed through a HUD 811 Grant, Pinellas County HOME funds and the Bessie Boley Foundation.

  • Dome District Apartments were constructed in 2001 and provide 18 units. It was financed through a HUD 811 Grant, a Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program (AHP) Grant and City of St. Petersburg HOME funds.

  • Dave Miller Apartments were constructed in 2001 and provide 14 units. It was financed through a HUD 811 Grant and a Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Grant.

  • 128 Place Apartments was constructed in 2004 and provides 18 units of permanent housing.  It was financed through a HUD 811 Grant, the City of St. Petersburg and a Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Grant.

  • The Betty Rutland Bussey and Rutland Bussey Apartments were completed in 2005 and provides 12 units.  The project was financed through a HUD 811 Grant, the City of St. Petersburg and Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program.

  • Clam Bayou Apartments will provide 14 one bedroom apartments and will be funded through a HUD 811 grant.  Construction is pending.

  • The Safe Haven, which opened in 2006, provides permanent housing for people who are chronically homeless, have a mental illness and are hard to serve.

Integrated Housing

  • Salt Creek Apartments were constructed in 1999 and provide 18 units. It was financed through a city of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant, City HOME funds, FHFC SAIL funds and Raymond James LIHTC funds.

  • Bayou Pass Apartments were constructed in 2000 and provide 10 units. It was financed through City of St. Petersburg HOME funds, Neighborhood Lending Partners (NLP), Inc. loan, CDFI loan, Federal Home Loan Bank AHP Grant and a Boley Centers land loan.

  • Parkside Apartments was acquired in 2000 and provide 8 units. The property is being leased to Boley Centers from St. Anthony's Health Care for $1.00 per year for 20 years. City HOME funds were used for rehabilitation of the property.

  • Oak Park Apartments were purchased in 2001 and provides 8 units. It was financed through the City of St. Petersburg and NLP, Inc.

Other

  • Mary R. Koenig Center was purchased in 1990. It houses the admissions department, medical records and serves as the day services center for consumers. It was financed through a city of St. Petersburg Community Development Block Grant.

  • Paula J. Hays Center was purchased in 2001. It houses Comprehensive Community Treatment Teams, Residential, FACT Team, Administration, Property Management and IT.

  • The Employment and Youth Services Centers houses Boley’s Pinellas County based Supported Employment offices, the Young Adult Program which provides intensive conditional release and conditional release day treatment to youth exiting the Department of Juvenile Justice system, Vocational Evaluation, employment services for TANF recipients, and the Summer Youth Intern Program.

     

 

Boley Center's Speaker's Bureau

Did you know that.......

  • Severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe anxiety disorder affect one in every five American families.*

  • Severe mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes and heart disease and are the number one reason for hospital admissions nationwide.*

  • Mental illnesses are diseases of the brain (and the brain is an organ) - physical in the same way as diabetes and heart disease.**

  • Mental illnesses occur worldwide, in all classes and ethnic groups, and usually strike youth in what would be their most productive years - between the ages of 15 and 30.**

* citation (The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Connecticut)

** citation (The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - San Luis Obispo County)

Do you want to know more about major mental illnesses?

Make Boley Centers, Inc. your one-stop source for up-to-date information on mental illnesses. Members of our Speaker’s Bureau are available to speak on a variety of topics concerning mental illness including what it means to have a mental illness, treatment trends, services offered by Boley Centers and funding issues.

Boley Centers’ Speaker’s Bureau is comprised of family members, Board Members, staff and consumers. The goal of the bureau is simple - to educate and create greater awareness about what mental illness really is and what Boley Centers does to help meet the needs of those affected.

Please give us a call today to schedule a speaker for your next meeting, conference, gathering or event. Inquiries may be directed to Miriam Williams, Vice President of Programs, at (727) 821-4819, ext. 5777, or you can email her at miriamwilliams@boleycenters.org