Sandy-Devastated Rehab Center Gets Renovated by Design Professionals

Two years ago, the Lower East Side Service Center’s Su Casa, a rehabilitation facility for people with addiction to drugs was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. The center lost almost everything when at least eight feet of water flooded inside the facility’s basement.

Prior to the storm, the facility had already planned a partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) in refurbishing the old building which caters to roughly 160 patients.

The volunteer team worked on a pro-bono project which benefited the non-profit organization even more after the damage that Sandy has posed to the center. The designers focused on the facility for pregnant women who are addicted to opiates.

Theresa Seabaugh, ASID Metro Communications Director said, “It was really important to have things that were sensitive to the mother's neurological situation but also we needed design elements that were very stimulating for the babies’ growth.”

Half of the work is almost completed and so far volunteer designers have donated about $450,000 worth of professional services. The project also received $160,000 donation worth of labor, materials and cash. Although there were delays following the storm, it’s been moving pretty well again. Workers have also noticed a positive impact to the changes that are being made to the facility.

Child care worker Maria Tanis observed, “They’re really happy. They’re surprised because finally, this came true for them. Finally, they see something new. It’s more like a new beginning for them

Peter Santoro, director of LESC said, “It shows them that there are people that really do care. It’s one thing just to say it: it’s another thing by our action. And what we do, we couldn’t have done this without a call to action from the community.”