Lifetime Assistance Breaks Ground on $2.7 Million Lowry Center Expansion and Renovation
This is the First Project in the $5.1 Million Transformation of Three Day Services Centers
Rochester, NY—August 18, 2021—The transformation of the first of three Lifetime Assistance Day Services Centers began today as the agency broke ground on a new 6,800-square-foot addition and interior renovation of the Lowry Center in Clarkson. The $2.7 million project is the first in the agency’s $5.1 million Independence Together initiative that will significantly change how services and supports are provided to hundreds of people with developmental disabilities who rely on the centers daily. Construction will be completed by spring 2022. Lifetime Assistance is the largest, most comprehensive developmental disability services agency serving children and adults in the Greater Rochester region.
“This has been a long-awaited day,” said Jamie Branciforte, President and CEO of Lifetime Assistance. “It is gratifying to see our vision for transforming day services take shape. When completed, these centers will be unlike anything else available in the region. Day Services provide essential support, care, clinical and educational services, and enrichment for hundreds of people with developmental disabilities. Because people’s needs are diverse and often complex, these state-of-the-art facilities upgrades are especially meaningful. We are seeing ever-increasing needs concurrent with aging, often with age-related dementia and other frailties and physical and mobility needs, and increased demand for services for people with severe autism.
"We are grateful to the hundreds of people and many foundations in our community who have helped us reach this point. While well on our way, our work is not done. We have raised $3.3 million toward our $5.1 million project goal, and are encouraged and confident that our wonderfully supportive community will continue to rally behind us to help our friends, neighbors, and family members live meaningful, full, inclusive lives."
The 6,800-square-foot Lowry Center addition will:
Increase the Center’s space by nearly 50%
Feature an enclosed open atrium, an accessible courtyard, and space for more community activities.
Extensive renovations to the existing 14,407-square-foot existing building include:
Seven Learning & Work Suites – culinary, senior, technology, health and wellness, continuing education/vocational, music and arts, and enrichment to replace outdated classrooms
Advanced assistive technologies to increase engagement, communication, and mobility
State-of-the-art technology to expand vocational interests and abilities
Continuing education to increase community integration, participation, and employment
Increased opportunities for people with high medical needs, to contribute to the community and gain work skills
A warm, tranquil environment that maximizes learning, skill development and enhances community involvement
A new fully accessible welcome area with natural lighting, expanded entryways, and alternate entrances to maximize accessibility and, safety
New HVAC, improved security, and additional parking.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said, “I am pleased to see Lifetime Assistance begin their capital project at the Lowry Center on Horizon Parkway in Clarkson. I know, first hand, the dedication, and professionalism that Lifetime Assistance affords to those with developmental disabilities. Congratulations on your continued commitment.“
In addition to today’s groundbreaking at the Lowry Center, two other Lifetime Day Services Centers are being transformed; located on Paul Road in Chili, and Weiland Road in Greece. Construction will begin following the completion of the Lowry Center and will be carefully staged to assure no gaps in services. Each fully accessible Center will include seven new Learning & Work Suites – providing life skills training, job readiness, community-based vocational and volunteer services, clinical, nursing, and behavioral services, and occupational and physical therapy – all in comforting and motivating environments to meet rapidly changing service needs.
SWBR is the project architect, Hamilton-Stern is the Construction Manager/Contractor, and Marathon and Mechanical/Electrical Engineering are project engineers.
Campaign Efforts Underway to Raise the Final $2 Million
To date, Lifetime has raised more than $3.3 million in its $5.1 million Independence Together campaign. A challenge grant of $750,000 from the Golisano Foundation was instrumental in propelling the campaign over the halfway mark.
In addition to the Golisano Foundation, support for Independence Together has also been received from hundreds of individuals, including Bob and Jackie Sperandio, Wegmans, Lifetime Assistance Agency and Foundation Boards of Directors, August Family Foundation, Davenport Hatch Foundation, Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, Kilian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Foundation, Glover Crask Foundation, Assunta DeBole, Kenper and Lisa Miller, Palmer Family of Companies, Marion and Lauretta Anders, The Burke Group, Roger Kubarych and Janet Wynn, Charles and Mary Crossed Foundation, and many others.
Fundraising efforts are underway to raise the remaining $2 million to complete the other two centers. For information on how to help visit: lifetimeassistance.org/independencetogether.
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