Pankow partnered with Fred Finch Youth & Family Services and Kaiser Permanente to deliver a new 8,000 SF residential treatment facility and community gymnasium on the organization’s Oakland campus. The project replaces two aging structures with a modern facility designed to support behavioral health services for special needs youth.

The new building integrates residential treatment environments with spaces for recreation and group therapy, expanding access to care and supporting holistic treatment approaches. Constructed on a 4.8-acre site, the project required careful sequencing and coordination to maintain operations across the active campus while delivering the new facility on an accelerated schedule.

By creating a purpose-built environment for therapy, activity, and community engagement, the project strengthens the Fred Finch Youth Center’s mission of supporting vulnerable youth and families throughout the region.

Building Environments that Support Care

The new Fred Finch Youth Center residential treatment facility was designed to provide a safe, supportive environment for children and adolescents receiving behavioral health services. Located on a 4.8-acre campus in Oakland, the project replaces an aging gymnasium and classroom building with a modern facility that better supports therapeutic care and recreational programming.

The 8,000 SF single-story building integrates residential treatment spaces with a community gymnasium, enabling a balanced environment where clinical care and physical activity work together to support recovery and well-being. The facility is designed specifically for youth with special needs, providing spaces that encourage movement, engagement, and social connection while maintaining safety and comfort.

Because the project was constructed within an active treatment campus, careful coordination and phasing were required to ensure that services for existing residents continued uninterrupted. The result is a purpose-built facility that strengthens Fred Finch Youth & Family Services’ ability to deliver compassionate, comprehensive care for vulnerable youth and their families.