One life at a time, one day at a time.

That’s the approach the staff of Community & Family Resources takes to helping those with subtsance abuse issues, mental illness and gambling addiction.

Now the organization has a new, spacious facility to provide the most up-to-date care to those needing its services.

The new building at 211 Avenue M West will debut today during a grand opening ceremony that starts at 3 p.m.

The new $6.6 million facility replaces three other CFR locations. One of those locations was the forner convent on South 17th Street that was part of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital campus. The organization also had an outpatient therapy building on North 15th Street and facility for the STARS adolescent program on North Eighth Street.

With 38,000 square feet, the new building easily accomodates the programs from all three previous sites.

Among all of its features, the building has lots of windows. Natural light improves hopefulness and well-being, according to Michelle De La Riva, executive director of CFR.

The building has in-patient rooms for 22 men and 20 women. There’s also a Wellness Center where CFR patients can exercise.

Construction began in October 2017, with Woodruff Construction LLC, of Fort Dodge, as the general contractor.

The new building is a welcome addition to the Fort Dodge community. People struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues will get the care they need in this facility for decades to come.

We congratulate Community & Family Resources for achieving its goal of a single location for its services.