Samaritan representatives describe new certified behavioral health clinic at 750 Aster Place to Bronx Community Board 11

Mitchell Neffron, who introduced himself as the president and CEO of Samaritan, and clinical staff told the Bronx Community Board 11 leadership committee that the organization has moved into a site identified in the meeting as 750 Aster Place and has expanded services as a certified community behavioral health center.

Carol Slattery, the clinic’s chief clinical officer, described the center as "a comprehensive behavioral health center. It serves children, adolescents, and adults," and listed services the site will provide, including mental health treatment, substance use disorder services, adolescent programming, parenting classes, vocational services and targeted case management. Slattery said the program aims to provide “no wrong door” access and to work beyond the four walls of the clinic to help clients with insurance, housing and appointments.

In response to questions from board members, Slattery said the majority of clients are from The Bronx—"over 90%"—and that the organization moved into the site after it was approved as a certified community behavioral health center in October 2024. Neffron told the board Samaritan operates many programs across the city and the surrounding counties and emphasized the group’s community outreach record, citing vaccine drives and food distribution as examples.

A member of the public who spoke during the meeting said they had a difficult experience with the prior provider at the site and expressed hope Samaritan would be a better fit; Cynthia Rodriguez, chair of the community board, and other members welcomed the expanded services and stressed the need for local access given high community demand for behavioral health care.

Slattery also said the site offers walk-in appointments and has a 24/7 phone line for people in crisis, and announced upcoming community outreach efforts including a Thanksgiving food distribution and a coat drive. Board members thanked the presenters and indicated they might call on Samaritan again for follow-up or additional detail; the committee did not take a formal vote on the presentation.

The organization and address were described in the meeting with slight variations in wording (the presenter self-identified as "Samaritan Day, Top Village," and another staff reference used "Samaritan Detox Village"; the site was named in the record as 750 Aster Place and also variously referenced as Astor/Aster). The board discussion did not produce a formal action beyond thanks and an invitation to return for follow-up.