Ravenna – We all want to feel respected and valued for who we are as individuals and what we have to offer society. Those with intellectual disabilities are no exception and the new center built and opened on June 24th by the Independence of Portage County, Inc. is specially equipped to help its clients reach their full potential.
“We are a provider of residential day services and employment services for adults and children with developmental disabilities,” said Chief Executive Officer Michelle Madden. “We own and operate six Integrated Care Facilities funded by Medicaid. Then we have 15 supported living sites where we provide services in the homes of individuals.”
Being spread out over several locations on Main Street in Ravenna was becoming an issue she explained of the drawbacks to their previous headquarters. Space was limited and the age of the buildings was not accessible for clients who require wheelchairs or adaptive equipment for mobility. They had been looking for a new place for several years, but nothing was really working out.
Bill Ullman, the former CEO, had the inspiration to partner with a support group called the Parent Council during their “Build a Gym, Build a Life” campaign. He was reading the paper stating they had raised funds and were looking to build a gym but wanted somebody else to own and operated it. Both groups have similar philosophies on the integration of those with developmental disabilities into the community and chose to collaborate on the project.
The approximately 25,000 square-foot complex houses administrative offices, adult day services, an 8,900 square-foot gymnasium, a fitness area, and a fully accessible stage. It is exciting for all those involved because the opportunities it will create are boundless.
In the day service section, clients will get to participate in educational workshops, activities, and recreational life skills. They can come in and choose from the suggested curriculum maybe go over current events or make breakfast, said Madden of what a standard day would look like. Then they can socialize and build relationships with others in the program. On a tour of the facility, she enthusiastically pointed out that the walls are painted white to mimic a huge dry erase board where fine-motor skills can be practiced using a Projection Trace machine.
The staff at IOPCI are considered essential care workers so they did not shut down during the mandatory quarantine and the new center allows for proper social distancing. Madden explained IOPCI’s importance to the families they serve who rely on the specialization provided. “Your child might have behavioral or medical needs requiring 24-hour around the clock care to bath, cloth, and feed them. They may come to our facility because we can accommodate with trained staff and professionals.” Being intellectually disabled does not refer to any specific syndrome, but to varying levels of deficiency in several lifecycles such as physical motor skills or speech. Madden explained that now they are better prepared to address these issues.
IOPCI is looking forward to future excursions of engagement with the community. “They may go to a car show, clean up a cemetery or flower beds in town,” she said. “It just depends. We try to encourage volunteerism. We expect a lot of our community; so, we want our people to give to the community as well,” said Madden with pride.
Future plans include having murals painted on the blank walls by local high schools, hosting a Special Olympics, and opening a youth girl’s facility in Ravenna for ages 14 to 21-year-olds, similar to the boy’s home in Kent.
The gymnasium which can seat 150 has natural lighting and Bluetooth; ideal for fundraisers and other events. Madden said they have been in discussion with various groups about renting the gym for archery and square-dancing clubs along with a Streetsboro actors troupe called Thrive. Rental fees received from the Parent Council (which has offices in the new building) and outside organizations will go to assist in employing persons with disabilities.
The goal to be under one roof and have functionality in a user-friendly environment to support staff and clients came about almost seamlessly. It came in under budget at a little less than $6 million with funding coming from the IOPCI foundation and a loan. The Parent Council will be assisting with the purchase of equipment and future needs or enhancements via fundraising endeavors.
A virtual open house is tentatively planned for late 2020, when painting for the branding in the building will be completed. IOPCI can be found at 575 East Lake Street, Ravenna, online at https://indport2.org/ and on Facebook.
