Pocono News Section

New Housing for Adults with Special Needs

New Housing for Adults with Special Needs - Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 04:10AM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday May 06 2010
The payoff for five years of planning, persistence, and big dreams were on display Thursday in Columbia County.

Eyewitness News attended the groundbreaking for a unique project that will benefit adults with disabilities in Bloomsburg.

It's a whole new chapter for the old Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ building.

The structure will now be used to provide a helping hand to people with mental and physical disabilities for years to come.

We're told independent housing is one of the biggest dreams of adults with special needs.

And thanks to the hard work of many, it will soon be a reality here in Bloomsburg.

Parent Debbie Andrews noted, "Up until now I was kind of hesitant about getting excited, but today with all these people here, you can see that it's something that's needed because of the big turnout that we had."

When the old Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ building came up for sale, the wheels went into motion.

And some local parents' perserverence paid off.

When the transformation is complete, the former church will contain 11 apartments capable of housing up to 19 special needs individuals.

And while they'll live independently at the place dubbed "Trinity House," help will literally be right around the corner.

Two buildings adjacent to the church will house Bloomsburg University students pursuing careers in special education.

B. U. President David Stoltz said, "We know that our students are so well-prepared academically that they'll bring that knowledge to this effort. And they'll bring their passion for living and working with these special individuals who live here."

Students we spoke with can't wait to apply the skills they've learned in a real-world environment.

B. U. freshman Lauren Kelly explained, "We're going to be able to share eating outside together, playing basketball, doing regular activities, and I think it's going to be great for everyone."

For 28-year-old Andrea Andrews, the $3.6 million dollar "Trinity House" project simply means a real chance to live a normal life.

She says she loves the plan and looks forward to seeing the completed project.

The Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ congregation recently moved into a new home on Seventh Street in Bloomsburg.

We're told church members are very happy with their new location and strongly support the future plans for their old building.