A large, ranch house on Cary Jay Boulevard in Richmond Heights is ready to welcome its new residents. Six developmentally disabled youngsters, ages 12-17, will call this house their home, said Lena Chapin, director of development for Rose-Mary Center. Family members, friends and neighbors got a chance to see the home during an open house on April 8.
It is the first of seven new Rose-Mary Homes for our Future to be completed. Others are under construction or renovation in Brook Park, Bedford, Bedford Heights South Euclid and Parma Heights, as well as a second location in Richmond Heights. Groundbreaking for two new homes and renovation on the other five began last fall.
Rose-Mary officials expect all seven ranch-style homes to be completed and occupied by fall. Anticipated cost of the Homes for our Future project is $4.4 million.
Each youngster living at the Cary Jay house will have his or her own room, specially decorated with the child?s interests in mind. The boys? rooms have sports themes, while the girls? rooms feature princess themes, bright colors and other personalized touches.
The large family room has a beach theme, while the bright kitchen is decorated with sunflowers. A deck and spacious back yard will allow the children an opportunity to play and relax outside, when the weather permits.
The children will be assigned chores, as their abilities allow. They will live in a family-like environment, share meals and attend school. Chapin said the idea is to keep the youngsters in a home-like environment as close to their families as possible. Caregivers will be on site 24/7 to supervise the youngsters and attend to their special needs.
Rose-Mary opened in 1922 in Euclid as a home for crippled children. It was operated by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Today, Rose-Mary provides comprehensive services to promote the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children and adults with developmental disabilities.
