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News from Mary Wade
Home Makeover: Mary wade
facility begins $11 Million Expansion
NEW HAVEN REGISTER, JANUARY 24, 2010 — In its 143-year history, The Mary Wade Home Inc. repeatedly has expanded its mission. Now it’s time to add space.
At the end of the Civil War, a group of women formed The Home for the Friendless, a place where young, single mothers — who also were destitute — could find safety and shelter. As time went on, its doors opened to older females, men and married couples.
A skilled nursing center was added in 1989 and an Adult Day Health and Recreation Center was created in 1993.
Grant funds from the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut allowed the home to introduce weekday transportation services for clients and members of the community who otherwise have difficulty traveling to medical and dental appointments.
And come next spring, the facilities at 118 Clinton Ave. will be able to accommodate a greater number of people in need.
“The Mary Wade Home is a great part of this community. They do a lot for the neighborhood, they do a lot for their residents and patients. It’s a great thing to see,” said Robert Smuts, chief administrative officer for the city.
Mary Wade last week hosted a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the early stages of an $11 million expansion project that will create space for 34 additional beds in the home’s Skilled Nursing Facility, for a total of 90. Also, the adult day center will double its capacity to 100 clients per day, said President and Chief Executive Officer David Hunter.
“This expansion is the result of a vision,” Hunter said. “Times are challenging, but we’re meeting a need. We are building to stay ahead of the curve.”
Mary Wade’s campus also includes an assisted living facility with which Lennie Celestin, a resident of 11 years, is quite pleased.
“The staff and employees are very, very accommodating. They try to make sure you are as comfortable as possible,” he said.
Barr & Barr Inc. Builders, which has offices in New Haven and seven other Northeast locations, is the construction management company for the expansion, financed through Bridgeport-based People’s United Bank. Kenneth Boroson is the architect.
“It’s great to be working in these times,” Donald Barr said. “This is the kind of work Barr & Barr enjoys doing. It’s a legacy to a community.”
The city’s Fair Haven neighborhood always has been home to Mary Wade, although its leadership team considered a move to the suburbs years ago, Hunter said.
Officials instead reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the riverside community by acquiring nine surrounding residential properties and renting apartment units to low- and moderate-income families and the elderly.
Ken Jenke, co-chairman of the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association and five-year Fair Haven resident, and association member Lee Cruz both said Mary Wade has been a “friend” to the community by helping to remove blight and supporting grassroots events such as festivals, block watch parties and picnics.
“It really represents for us cooperation between neighbors and Mary Wade to make our community healthier and stronger,” Jenke said. “We’re proud to have them in Fair Haven.”
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last year awarded The Mary Wade Home with five out of five possible stars in quality of care and other performance measures.
In 2007, the agency was an inaugural recipient of the Pathways to Greatness award from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
The home has received other accolades over the years, including the Leadership in Health care/Developer Investment award from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce and the “Good Egg” award from the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund.
“It certainly is an exciting time,” Board of Managers President Raymond Peach said. “We look forward to this project being completed and the good work of The Mary Wade Home continuing.”
Contact Angela Carter at 203-789-5752 or acarter@newhavenregister.com.
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