Mary Cariola Children's Center has broken ground on a new residence for medically fragile children and young adults.
Eight people will live in the single story, 6-thousand square foot home at the corner of State and Jackson Roads in Penfield. It will replace a current residence on Browncroft Boulevard.
The center's president and CEO, Karen Zandi, says a special space will be added for short term stays.
"We have really heard from parents how challenging it is for parents to take care of their medically fragile children 24/7, 365 days a year, so we are adding a ninth bedroom for short-term respite so families can have a break, have an evening out."
Construction on the new residence is expected to be completed by the end of the year, in time for the holidays. Zandi said parents of past clients who have died often return to the home around Christmas. Staff will have more room to park at the new location, she said, and it comes with enough space so families can visit and take part in various activities.
"We have a wonderful therapeutic music program that we do in collaboration with Hochstein. We have little concerts in the kitchen; now we'll have good enough space for chairs so families can come in and enjoy participating in that."
Mary Cariola is also announcing the public portion of a $5 million plus capital campaign to fund enhanced technology for students and renovations to some of its existing facilities. $4.8 million has already been raised. In addition to the medically fragile, the agency also educates and cares for students ages 3 to 21 who have complex disabilities and high behavioral needs.
