Welcome House plans big expansion
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published May 9, 2007

Officials are opening their arms wide Friday for the groundbreaking of a $2.5 million Lorain Road project for Welcome House, the nonprofit service organization serving people with mental retardation and developmental disability issues.

The groundbreaking has been set for 11:30 a.m. Friday for the new Michael T. George  Center for Community Living at 29788 Lorain Road.

Tony Thomas, executive director of Welcome House, said the facility fills a need.

“As a result of the tremendous advances made in healthcare, the life expectancy of individuals with MRDD continues to increase,” Thomas said. “However, at the same time, these individuals typically experience premature aging and challenging health-related issues.

“We have more than 2,000 adults in Cuyahoga County with MRDD who are approaching the age of 50 and that need a place to live with a type of assistance that will be available in these new homes. In some situations, their parents have passed away or are no longer able to provide the quality of life they deserve. These new homes will allow us to expand our support for this important segment of our community.”

Officials said in addition to building a new 7,000 square foot single level building on the four acre site, the project will also renovate two existing homes. The project will expand the scope of Welcome House services to the MRDD community in Cuyahoga County, Thomas said.

City officials are also pleased to have the new project coming into the community.

“We are very proud to have Welcome House in North Olmsted,” said Mayor Thomas O’Grady. “They’ve done great things for us and others. The ability for people with handicaps to live relatively independent lives is incredibly important, and is one of the great things Welcome House provides for people. We’re very pleased to have the expansion and renovations here in North Olmsted. This is a good thing for the citizens of North Olmsted and we send our very best wishes for success.”

Michael Gareau Jr, chairman of city council’s building, zoning and development committee, said it’s a benefit for the city to have the new facilities locating in North Olmsted.

“We’re glad to have an organization like Welcome House, which provides strong services for those who need them in the community,” Gareau said. “It’s also a good sign that an organization like this would want to locate in North Olmsted, knowing it would get a good reception here from people in the community.”

Officials said there will be eight residents in the home as well as Welcome House workers. They will be part of a group of more than 200 caregivers who provide support services throughout the Cleveland area and in Lorain County.

Work on the Michael T. George facility is expected to be completed in early 2008, with renovation work on the two existing homes slated to begin mid-2008.

For additional information on Welcome House, either call Thomas at (440) 356-2330 or go to www.welcomehouseinc.org.