Project 90, Caminar to join forces

“This is a natural fit for our organization and also Project 90’s,” he said.

Huggins said the two organizations have a long history of partnering to serve those with a complex set of behavioral health needs, noting some 20 percent of the clients Caminar serves in San Mateo County are also clients of Project 90’s. He said his nonprofit has provided crisis and transitional residential treatment programs aimed at helping its residents live independently in addition to identifying supportive housing and employment opportunities for those with mental health conditions for years in San Mateo County.

But Caminar — which now has an operating budget of $37 million and employs more than 50 employees — also has operations in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano and Butte counties and has been expanding its reach through partnerships with behavioral health organizations in Santa Clara and Solano counties in recent months.

In becoming Caminar’s newest division, Project 90 will be able to leverage its existing finance, payroll and human resources functions and cut down on expenses, which Huggins said will allow the nonprofit to stabilize and grow. He added Caminar’s robust fundraising and grant-writing operations will also be a boon to Project 90, which has historically relied on government contracts.

Though Project 90 has been providing supportive environment for those in need of a residential alcohol and drug treatment program for decades, it has been struggling to weather the pressure of redevelopment and changes to the nation’s health care system in recent years.

The merger is expected to lift the nonprofit out of its past financial challenges with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which tied up federal funds the nonprofit relied on to support the 24 licensed beds it has provided on seven properties in San Mateo County. More than a year ago, the nonprofit lost its largest intake facility when the building’s property owners began redeveloping it into office space and market-rate housing.

Former Project 90 Executive Director Jim Stansberry, who also helped found the nonprofit, is expected to assist with the transition in a consulting role, while Jim Buckner, who previously served as the nonprofit’s chief operating officer, will lead the division as its executive director.

“Project 90 is looking forward to the joint continuation of services to the community and those in San Mateo and the Bay Area,” said Stansberry in a press release.

Noting the merger will create a new organization serving more than 14,000 individuals each year, Huggins said the development is a testament to the holistic approach the nonprofit has embraced.

“I think that says a lot to our board of directors and our leadership with regards to their approach to serving the whole person,” he said. “Not just mental illness, not just substance abuse, but the whole person.”

anna@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 106