News
Release | PDF
RELEASED
BY:
Welcome House, Inc. • 20575 Center Ridge Rd. • Suite 200 • Rocky River, OH
44116
440-356-2330 • 440-356-9421 Fax
CONTACT:
Tony Thomas, LISW • Executive Director
RELEASE:
Immediate
DATE:
February 20, 2007
Michael T. George Center to serve as a model facility
for services to those aging with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
ROCKY RIVER, OH–It is no secret that the
fastest growing segment of American society is the Boomer generation,
but one part of this population needs a specific kind of attention: individuals
with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). There is a shortage
of homes where they can get the kind of support and service they need.
There are more than 2,000 adults in Cuyahoga
County with IDD who are approaching the age of 50. As a result of
the tremendous advances made in healthcare, the life expectancy of
these individuals continues to increase, while they typically experience
premature aging and challenging health-related issues. This problem
is compounded by the fact their parents have passed away or are no
longer able to care for them.
Welcome House is responding to that need
by expanding the scope of its services to the IDD community. Its new
campus, the Michael T. George Center for Community Living in North
Olmsted, is centered around a new, 7,000-square-foot, single-level
facility. It has services and floor
plans designed to meet the unique needs of the aging IDD population,
according to says Jeff Stenzel of designer Fogle/Stenzel Architects.
In addition, the project includes renovating two existing homes on the
four-acre site, as well as a garden and a recreational area. General
contractor for the project is Whitehouse Construction
The total project costs are estimated at
$2.5 million. Completion
of the new facility will be done in early 2008, with renovations of the
two existing homes to begin in mid-2008. When completed, the new facility
will offer organizations a blueprint for meeting the needs of the aging
IDD population.
“These new homes will allow us to expand our support for this important
segment of our community,” says Tony Thomas, executive director of
Welcome House. “It’s a two-way street,” he adds. “We
realize that these people have mental and physical challenges to cope with.
But deep down, they exude genuine love and respect, and these facilities
can build on that by offering them a certain level of independence.”
Welcome House was founded in 1981 and is partially
funded by the West Haven Foundation, which was established in 1972. Primary
operating funds come from other government and private sources. Welcome
House has a staff of 200 dedicated caregivers that provide services for
more than 120 individuals with IDD living in group homes or supported
living sites in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties and to many others who live
in family homes. Welcome House is located at 20575 Center Ridge Rd.,
Suite 200, in Rocky River, OH. Visit Welcome House on the web at www.welcomehouseinc.org |
