By Lisa Carolin
The St. Louis Center in Sylvan Township has officially changed its name to St. Louis Guanella Village. Its new identity was unveiled June 12 at a grand opening celebration.
The opening was for four specialized homes for children, including one just for girls. St. Louis Guanella Village serves the needs of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The newly completed children’s homes have taken seven years and a $10 million capital campaign to complete. The project includes a Family Welcome Center, a special needs playground, and a new assisted living home for older adults called Fr. Guanella Hall.
“This dream and vision from 2010 is becoming a reality,” said Father Enzo Addari, executive director of the St. Louis Center and Legacy Campaign co-chair, to the crowd of hundreds. “This is only the beginning. The engineering plans are on their way for other buildings.”
Father Joseph Rinaldo, Servants of Charity Provincial treasurer and community superior, said, “We grew by begging, by loving, and by caring. The children were and are our teachers, who teach us how to take care of them.”
Norman Neuman, Legacy Campaign co-chair, thanked numerous individuals and groups for their contributions and said that the $10 million raised completed the first phase, and now phase two is underway.
Christine Lindemann, whose brother is a resident of St. Louis Guanella Village, shared the story of when she and her mother dropped her brother at the school many years ago and how peaceful their ride home was when they saw how engaged he was at his new home.
“I still have a little panic when I drop him off at school, but I know he’s happy where he is,” said Lindemann. “The St. Louis Center can give my brother a life I never could.”
Addari along with Rev. Bishop Emeritus Carl F. Mengeling, from the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, cut the official ribbon together.
Marco and Cynthia Silveri of Chelsea were the architects on the project, AZ Shmina Construction was the builder, and Midwestern Consulting provided the civil engineers for the project.
According to Public Relations Director Joseph Yekulis, “The homes’ modern features were designed with the children’s needs in mind, specifically sensory sensitivities. Some of the interior features include: a calming color palette, a sensory/activity room with a therapy swing, full spectrum LED light fixtures in the bedrooms, light tubes to bring in natural light, and environmentally friendly materials.”
The original St. Louis Center facility was built in 1960.
