By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
The photographs feature the expansion and renovation of Inspire Continuing Care in Geneseo, where a ribbon cutting and open house will be held Tuesday, March 11. Contributed Photos
The interior of Inspire Continuing Care has a new look with a complete expansion and renovation, and ICC staff and participants want the community to see what has been done to their space.
A ribbon cutting event is planned for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at ICC, which is located in (The Vic building) at 218 South State St., Geneseo. The public is invited to the ribbon cutting and/or to the open house planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see the “new look” and to meet the staff and participants at ICC.
In February of last year, Bob Pettit, owner of the VIC building, approached Johnson and other ICC staff telling them of his intention to move the softball batting cages out of the VIC building and into a newly-renovated space for the girls’ softball program….”Mr. Pettit asked if ICC would like to expand into the additional space that would be available in the building, which he graciously was willing to donate for use by Inspire. After discussing the opportunity, the ICC
Board of Directors agreed to proceed with expansion and renovation planning.”
The Geneseo Foundation awarded a grant to ICC in April of 2024, that launched the beginning of transforming the area of the batting cages into the new and expanded “ICC Lounge,” a 2,200 square foot space that provides ample room for ICC participants to gather together and enjoy a variety of on-site activities.
Johnson credited the team at Chicago Street Decorating for leading the transformation of the space.
The ICC Lounge includes:
-large, comfortable seating area.
-activity/project/meeting area with table and seating.
-custom individual storage for each participant’s personal items.
-private therapy room/table.
-staff office area.
-expansive, open areas for exercise and active activities.
-86” television.
-sound system.
-electric fireplace.
In addition, the other businesses involved with the renovation of the ICC Lounge included:
-Reclaimed Salvage (Chuck Polowy) – custom furniture including three coat storage locker unites, entertainment center, shiplap wall, table, credenza.
-Jay Romeo Painting – walls and ceiling.
-Bob Mierop – lighting.
-Underground Graphics (Jason Dahl) – vinyl logo.
-Geneseo Home Furnishings (Tom Satterly) – couches.
The renovation of the ICC Lounge was completed in July of last year, and ICC participants were able to begin using the space on “Christmas in July” – July 25, 2024.
With the move to the expanded ICC Lounge complete, Johnson said, “We were able to shift our focus to the addition of a handicapped-accessible kitchen in the former ICC Lounge.”
Additional grant funding was provided in June of 2024 by the Francis G. and Betty J. Miller Foundation, and more funding came in November 2024 from the Geneseo Communications Charitable Foundation.
Village Home Stores managed the design and construction of the ICC Kitchen addition and further work was provided by Bob Mierop (lighting) and Underground Graphics (vinyl logo).
“Prior to the completion of the ICC Kitchen, participants were limited in their ability to participate in kitchen-related activities due to the design of the hallway kitchenette that existed in the building,” Johnson said, and added, “This beautiful and intentionally designed space provides all ICC participants the opportunity to learn and maintain life skills as we serve one another each day.”
Use of the kitchen got underway in mid-February and Johnson commented, “We are excited about the additional involvement the ICC participants are able to experience in day-to-day activities as well as hosting occasional special events…. like our upcoming ribbon-cutting and open house celebration!”
ABOUT INSPIRE
Inspire Continuing Care began operating in August of 2021, providing supervised daytime community-based opportunities for uniquely qualified adults who have completed high school. Since opening three and one-half years ago, ICC has experienced a 400% percent increase in the number of participants served, Johnson said. “We look forward to expanding services to additional participants, whether in the community-based day program or in our identified growth areas of respite care opportunities and vocational-based support services.”
ICC is a privately-funded, 501(c3) non-profit organization that provides all programs and services independent of any state or federal funding sources, and Johnson added, “We value the stability, autonomy and flexibility this model provides for creating high-quality, relevant opportunities for the participants we serve. Thanks to the generous financial support from local foundations, businesses and individuals, scholarship funding is available to reduce the private pay tuition amount paid by participants and their families.”
Tax deductible donations are accepted anytime via the ICC website: inspirecontinuingcare.org