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I was the first-born child of a courageous young immigrant couple in East Harlem, living close to the elevated trains that rode nosily above the marqueta. Two more children were to follow, and my siblings and I were fortunate enough to fulfill my parent's hopes for us--that we would have the education that they never had, and the opportunities that come with it.

I became an architect. My brother Frank became an electrical engineer. My sister Lupe earned her Bachelor's but then something happened. Soon after her graduation, in her early twenties, this young, exceedingly bright and vibrant person broke down and suffered what later was diagnosed as schizophrenia.

Our close-knit family was distraught. During those early, tortuous years between hospitalizations and expensive, futile searching for a light on the path that would lead her back to our world of reality, we agonized over this unjust stroke of misfortune. To this day when I happen to come across her earned, yet never used college diploma, I am choked with emotion and distress at this awful waste. How could it be that my parent's vision of a better life for their children would exclude her?

Lupe went from private psychiatric care at the beginning, and then on to many state operated hospitals. She is fortunate to now be in a New York State funded community residence, living with a caring family. The cost to the State for that residence is far less than any hospitalization cost. My brother and I alternate weekly visits to be with her.

Because of this personal recognition of the needs of hundreds of thousands of those who are mentally ill like my sister, my architectural practice over a thirty year span has focused principally on housing and healthcare facilities. My broad experience has included new construction and renovations of high-rise and mid-rise apartment houses, single room occupancies (SRO's), mental health residential facilities, and nursing homes.

My work has included designing additions and alterations at Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center, Creedmore Psychiatric Center, Southbeach Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn Developmental Center, and Mercy Home Residence.

Our firm has provided quality, comprehensive architectural services for many private and public clients and agencies such as NYS Facilities Development Corporation, NYS Office of Mental Health, NYS Department of Social Services, NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. At this writing we are under construction for a complete renovation of the CBVH vending facility operation in the lobby of the Federal Office Building at Federal Plaza.

As NYS moves persons with mental illness into housing within our communities, and finally closing the doors on institutional care, the challenges and opportunities of designing, constructing, and renovating community-based facilities which will enhance the quality of life for these individuals must be the first priority. Clearly, community-based housing and care is far less expensive than institutionalization, however, our dedication must go further.

Personally, I have committed myself to working diligently for the design and building of better mental health facilities within our communities where those with mental illness can live in the best environment possible.