Welcome News
For friends of Welcome House and West Haven Foundation

Summer 2007 | Ground Breaking | Lucky Winner | Grant for Van

Welcome House Ground Breaking

Welcome House Breaks Ground for The Michael T. George Center for Community Living

What a day to break ground! Those Golden Shovels Shining in the sun.

Architectural rendering of the Michael T. George Center for Community living.

Over 70 people attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the Michael T. George Center for Community Living in North Olmsted. It was a kick-off to a $2.5 million building campaign where a new 7,000 square foot, single-level home will be built that meets the unique needs of aging individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) along with the renovation of 2 adjacent group homes. This will be a tremendous benefit for the current and future Welcome House clients. Designed by the Cleveland firm of Fogle/Stenzel Architects, Inc., the homes will also include a garden and recreational area.

North Olmsted's Mayor Thomas O' Grady attended along with State Representative Tom Patton. Tony and Kris George were on hand to help break ground along with their son Michael for whom the center is named. Other ground breakers were Florence Andrews, whose daughter Kim lives in one of the homes to be renovated, Bob Becker, President of Welcome House Board of Trustees and Sharon Waffen, President of West Haven Foundation. Also present was Vi Britton, a West Haven Life Member who was present at the original ground breaking in 1981.

"We are so delighted that everyone in the community has embraced this new home and are so appreciative of the help and support from the Mayor's office, city council, the state government and the countless number of volunteers and staff," said Tony Thomas, Executive Director of Welcome House. "While this is a groundbreaking, it is also a celebration of gratitude for those who helped make it happen.