©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Ground Broken on Group Home Setting |
The first bit of land was moved Thursday morning in anticipation of transitioning the developmentally disabled from an institution-like setting into one of twenty-five group homes within Knox County.
The parent company of St. Mary's Square Living Center has purchased seven tracts of land in Galesburg and others in the area, and still needs to buy more parcels, for the $8.12 million dollar project.
Bobby Dillard is the Administrator at St. Mary's Square. He tells WGIL Thursday marked the beginning of what will be a fulfilling dream for those living in group homes.
"We have 225 residents in St. Mary's Square who have lived in a large facility for most of their lives," Dillard said. "And this is an opportunity for them to have a home of their own-- a place where they can hang their hat, and come home each day, and say 'This is where I live, this is my home.'"
A groundbreaking ceremony for one of the first eight-bed, independent-living homes was held next to RFMS, Incorporated on Galesburg's South Farnham Street Thursday.
RFMS President Don Fike says the residents deserve the rare opportunity to move into a community setting. He expects St. Mary's Square residents to begin moving into the new homes by mid-summer of next year.
(L to R: RFMS President Don Fike, Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza, St. Mary's Square Living Center Administrator Bobby Dillard, KCCDD Executive Director Mary Crittendon, 17th District Congressman Bobby Schilling, 74th District State Representative Don Moffitt.)
(Congressman Schilling participated in the groundbreaking ceremony before touring and having lunch at the Sustainable Business Center Thursday.)
(WGIL News Story and Photos by Kyle Schassburger) |
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| 04 05 12 by Newsroom |
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