As York County's ambitious Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center nears completion, First County Foundation (FCF) is demonstrating how strategic philanthropy can bridge the gap between public funding and community impact.
While construction costs for the 52,000-square-foot facility are covered by federal ARPA funds, opioid settlements, and county reserves, FCF is filling critical gaps by securing private support for essential equipment, furnishings, and general operations. "One of the greatest needs right now is to outfit the buildings," said Rachel Stansfield, FCF Chief Advancement Officer.
FCF’s strategic approach has yielded results, with Partners Bank and Kennebunk Savings each contributing $150,000 specifically earmarked for the recovery center. “Public-private partnerships, like those we created with our community banks, are essential to the sustainability of not only the recovery center, but to York County as well. We are incredibly grateful to Partners and Kennebunk Savings for paving the way,” added Stansfield.
Expected to open this fall, the 58-bed recovery center will provide detox, short, medium, and long-term residential treatment for people with substance use disorders. In the interim, FCF will continue to pursue additional grants and partnerships with local and national foundations, corporations, and individual donors to ensure the center opens fully equipped and operational.
Founded in 2024, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County."