ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Boley Centers has received a $1 million state grant to support critical infrastructure improvements at the Mary R. Koenig Center campus in St. Petersburg, which offers mental and primary healthcare to formerly homeless people.

“Many of the clients have been homeless for many years before they step into the doors of Boley,” said Kevin Marrone, Boley Centers President and CEO. “We’re setting them on their path for independence and success.”

Marrone said all eight buildings on the campus need repairs, which range from sagging ceilings caused by a roof leak and outdated electrical, to termite-damaged window frames and a commercial dishwasher that’s broken.

“We’re going to stretch that $1 million as far as we can,” Marrone said. “There’s a there’s a lot of real estate here to deal with.”

The campus serves 100 adults with serious mental illness daily and more than 1,500 annually, according to Marrone. Jeff Bauer, 60, said he’s been getting treatment at Boley for nearly 90 days.

“They’ve taken me off the street and I’ve been diagnosed with mental health issues,” Bauer said. “They graciously accepted me into the program, and I’m glad to be here.”  

Marrone said he also wants to get the medical office up to standards so clients can be treated in the building, which is being used as office space. Evara Health, a federally qualified health center, treats the clients in a mobile bus.

“They receive medical care, behavioral health care, individual and group counseling, psychosocial education,” Marrone said. “All of the critical things they’re going to need to be successful when they move out into the community.”

Abbey Colling, the Vice President of Clinical and Residential Services, has been working on the campus for three years and said she’s looking forward to the renovations.

“It definitely has some issues with leaking and things that happen with Florida weather in general,” Colling said. “It will be good to have those things shored up and make it safer for staff, for clients to work out of here too.”

Marrone said he has been pursuing a state grant for years.

“I’m grateful to the legislature and the Department of Children and Families for believing in our mission,” Marrone said. “Thank you to Senator (Nick) DiCieglie and Rep. (Linda) Chaney for carrying this thing all the way to the final budget and helping us be successful.”