The Center of Family Love has announced plans for the Newfield Community and Education Center, which will be built on its Okarche campus after receiving $1 million from the Newfield Foundation.
For nearly 40 years, the Center of Family Love has been providing lifetime care for adults with a range of complex intellectual and physical disabilities. The Newfield Community and Education Center will not only feature a new neuro-considerate designed building but will also be the first step toward the Center of Family Love’s plan to expand its ministry through a capital campaign vision over the course of the next few years.
“The Newfield Foundation is the cornerstone for this incredibly impactful community investment program,” said Debbie Espinosa, CEO at the Center of Family Love, “With this legacy gift, Newfield has established a foundation for this project that will reach generations of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to serve our community.”
The Newfield Community and Education Center will focus on new educational training opportunities for the organization’s current residents and will also include areas where parents and special education teachers who are in need of support can network with one another.
New programs planned for the Newfield Community and Education Center include Adult Day, Horticulture Therapy, Resident and Employee Health and Wellness Programs and Rehabilitation Therapy Sessions. These programs offer motivating activities to help residents learn to be active participants and responsible learners while striving for independence. Some of these classes within each of the programs will consist of learning opportunities through pottery, sign language, exercise, drama, dance and culinary experiences.
According to Espinosa, securing the million-dollar grant “kicked off a significant new initiative and a bold commitment to impact our broader community.” Having procured the grant, the Center of Family Love will now launch its capital campaign vision. “All campaign components support a common vision to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs by helping them gain independence and a life filled with discovery and new experiences,” said Espinosa.
Additional goals to expand the ministry with funding through the capital campaign vision in the coming years include multi-phase plans for two new intermediate care residential homes, an activity and performing arts center, a new free-standing, handicap-considerate Blessed Stanley Rother Chapel, expansion of resident businesses, new work and off campus day programs, infrastructure improvements and an increased focus on the endowment fund.
Espinosa said she is relying on God’s divine intervention and the continued support of the community to fund this initiative. “God has always provided for our residents’ needs,” said Espinosa, “and I have faith that He will continue to do so as we seek to expand and impact even more lives for Him.”
