Alternative Services Reopens

When Merrick’s Willow Lake Boulevard site opened in November 2022, clients receiving life enrichment services were relocated to the new building, leaving the Alternative Services (AS) area at 3210 Labore Road vacant. Without an immediate plan for the vacant space, it was primarily used for recreational purposes over the next two years as a new purpose for AS was explored.

Renovations to the space would begin in August 2024, and were completed in November, at which point, Alternative Services reopened with an updated design and focus. Today, Alternative Services provides support to clients with a lower staffing ratio (1:4) who are seeking opportunities for both employment and leisure activities. Capable of serving up to 32 clients, the newly renovated space is well-suited for those who thrive in a smaller, quieter working environment.