WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A groundbreaking ceremony for new construction in Winnebago County took place Wednesday.
“They’re gonna get the care that they need and a level of independence they never thought possible,” said Mary Gietman Schellinger, Covey Board President.
Covey, an organization that provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with Fox Valley Technical College and Winnebago County, are teaming up to provide disabled individuals with safe and affordable access to independent living.
“The project here today is really rooted in the crisis for housing options for adults with disabilities,” added Gietman Schellinger.
This residential program offers a new housing option and a fully accessible layout.
FVTC is acting as the general contractor — its students providing the carpentry skills to build the home.
“Knowing their mission and who’s gonna live here, it just makes it more special and kinda a little more incentive,” said Paul Lewandowski, the Residential Construction Instructor at FVTC.
Covey says nearly 70% of individuals with disabilities live with their family. This project will change that for four people in Winnebago County.
“I’m so excited for our participants to be good neighbors –to make new friends within a neighborhood setting,” said Gietman Schellinger.
Once complete, the four-bedroom home will meet a need within the community while training the next generation of builders.
“A new house or an extensive remodel project are what we really need to really teach our students to the true meaning of being a carpenter,” said Lewandowski.
Covey says the adult family home will further help encourage inclusion within the community.
“So often, the options are limited to an institutional setting, and I think our participants deserve better than that,” added Gietman Schellinger.
