Housing Project For The Disabled Gets Started

It's a project long overdue, but it's finally happening.  The ground breaking ceremony took place this morning for a building that will house young adults who are severely disabled.

The housing project is made possible through an organization called "Olivia's Gift", a non-profit organization that was founded back in 2005 in honor of a young lady named Olivia, who is severely disabled following a near-drowning accident at the age of 3.

WZZM reports today, Olivia is celebrating her 21st birthday and her family and friends, who called themselves "Team Olivia," say the ground breaking of the six-person residential building is an exciting time.

"As we celebrate the ground breaking for our first building, we are excited because this is first of many we hope," says Kelly Henrickson, Olivia's mother. "The need is out there. There are parents, families, caregivers who are just waiting and wanting this type of living environment for people like Olivia."

The six-unit apartment style living center will house six severely disabled individuals who are 18 years or older.

The building will be equipped with a multi-purpose room, sensory room, therapy gardens, and walking trails. It is designed to keep the residents like Olivia active and engaged in a sense of community, which Henrickson says, is so important for their mental growth.

Olivia's Gift is made possible through grants given by Kent County Community Development and Mary Free Bed.

The home is at 5042 Cascade Road near the Spaulding intersection.The building is set to open next spring.

For more information on "Olivia's Gift," click here:http://oliviasgift.org/