Emergency Funding Offers Hope for Delphi Rise’s Open Access Clinic

Emergency Funding Offers Hope for Delphi Rise’s Open Access Clinic

This week, we were honored to welcome County Executive Adam Bello and Congressman Joe Morelle to Delphi Rise for a press conference that marked an important moment for our community’s response to the opioid crisis.

In the face of devastating federal funding cuts, County Executive Bello announced a proposal to allocate $405,000 in emergency funds from the Opioid Settlement Fund to support Delphi Rise’s 24/7 Open Access Clinic — the only service of its kind in Monroe County for individuals experiencing substance use disorder crises.

Each year, our clinic supports nearly 2,000 people. These are individuals who arrive at all hours — some referred by emergency rooms or law enforcement, others walking in on their own in a moment of need. Open Access exists so that no one in crisis has to face it alone.

The County’s proposed investment provides temporary stability, and we are deeply grateful for this leadership and partnership. As Executive Director Jennifer Cathy shared during the press conference:

“With substance use disorder, people seek help when they are ready, and if we are not available at that critical moment, the consequences for their recovery can be dire. That’s why we are grateful to County Executive Bello for ensuring 24/7 access to care — so we can continue to offer a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment whenever someone takes that first courageous step toward change.”

We also want to thank the many individuals, families, and organizations who supported our emergency appeal over the past several weeks. Your generosity made it possible for us to keep showing up for our community while we worked toward a solution.

While this announcement is a crucial step forward, it is only a short-term solution. Sustainable funding is still needed to secure the future of crisis services in our region. We will continue working alongside local leaders and our community to ensure no one is left without support in their darkest moments.