Ground-breaking held for Chapel Haven's multi-year campus expansion in New Haven

Sept. 16--NEW HAVEN -- It was the best 45th anniversary celebration students and officials at Chapel Haven could ask for: a ground-breaking for a major, multi-year campus expansion with the ultimate goal of providing lifelong services to adults with social and developmental disabilities.

The program that teaches students to live self-determined lives and independance and helps clients attain employment was begun by two visionary families on Sept. 15, 1972. They initially had six students and two staff members.

Today Chapel Haven is a nationally acclaimed award winning program serving more than 250 adults with a staff of more than 260.

In addition to providing state-of-the-art classrooms, a community center with a gymnasium and theater, and program buildings, there will be an expansion of job opportunities for students in the community -- something Mayor Toni Harp noted in her address at the celebration.

"The first questions any one of us asks another usually include, 'Where do you live?' and 'What do you do?' With these new facilities and a replicable, sustainable job training and job placement program, Chapel Haven is answering those questions for some of the city's more vulnerable residents," Harp said. "Chapel Haven's involvement with these residents is consistent with my vision for this city: for it to continue a legacy of acceptance, tolerance and assistance for those in need -- regardless of where they're from, what they look like, or the language they speak."

The mayor thanked the Chapel Haven community for all it does in New Haven and praised a portion of the project dedicated to aging services that will allow residents to remain living among friends and with independence in their later years.

The achievement of that really showed in parent and client testimonies Friday under a tent on campus near where digging is underway.

State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, whose son, Matt, attended Chapel Haven, said as he and his spouse were driving away after dropping off Matt, they said to one another, "This is never going to work."

They were wrong.

"He left (the program) ready to live independently -- and for that my family will always be grateful," Lembo said.

He said the beautiful new buildings will reflect the dignity Chapel Haven deserves.

Parent H. Kent Atkins said when they dropped off their son to live in an apartment on Fountain Street after having completed Chapel Haven's REACH program, he thought it would never last because his son had never spent a night alone.

They waited for the call, but the phone never rang at their Greenwich home.

Longtime Chapel Haven client Diana Bilezikian, an author who is accomplished in many areas, said she often asked herself the question, "How can I ever have my own life independent of my parents?"

She found it at Chapel Haven.

"It wasn't easy and it took me 20 years and it never would have happened without Chapel Haven," she said.

Westville Alderman Richard Furlow said Chapel Haven students and residents are an "integral" part of Westville.

Furlow said those at Chapel Haven and other Westville residents do everything together in the community, including shopping, laundry, community activities, attend community management meetings, and even cast ballots together on Election Day.

"We are all engaging in life together," Furlow said, making the crowd chuckle by adding that sometimes Chapel Haven students have helped him cross the street, noting he shouldn't walk until the light says to.

Many grateful families at the Chapel Haven ground-breaking celebration credited President Michael Storz with having the vision to bring the facility into state-of-the-art shape to match the renowned program and for preparing so the students can age in place.

Storz called for a moment of silence in honor of Luisa DeLauro, mother of U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, who recently died at 103, praising her as a champion in giving to the community. Luisa DeLauro was the longest-serving member of the Board of Aldermen.

Storz noted that Rosa DeLauro is a supporter of Chapel Haven and would have been there if not for the circumstances.

The clients at Chapel Haven are an enthusiastic crowd and it showed in the claps and hoots when speakers praised Chapel Haven.

Chapel Haven board President Peggy Baker said she is proud that her son, student Matt Baker -- who wore shades and a hardhat -- is on the Chapel Haven Building Committee and calls her every time there's an update, as he can see the construction from his window.

Showing that independence Chapel Haven considers the cornerstone of its program, Matt Baker stepped up to the microphone and announced he would "be available later," if anyone wanted more information on the project.

Student David Schleifer demonstrated similar self-assuredness by politely intervening during his mother Harriet Schleifer's speech.

Harriet Schleifer told the audience: "That's what happens when you send your child to Chapel Haven. Be careful what you wish for."

Parent Diana Davis Spencer said she is the "proud" mother of student Kimberly LaManna, an assistant to Storz and her husband, Rich LaManna, who runs Chapel Haven's café. Spencer said the couple has learned how to use public transportation, be responsible for themselves and even home ownership.

"Kim and Rich have learned to expand beyond themselves," she said, noting they are mentors to other students and volunteers at Yale New Haven Hospital.

So far, Chapel Haven has raised more than $36 million through donations and is in the process of raising another $9 million.

Phase One of the project consists of construction of three new buildings, including a 32,500-square-foot building to house the REACH program, a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to aging services, and a new welcome center.

The project is being designed by S/L/A/M Collaborative & S/L/A/M Construction Services and owner's representative Leland Torrence.

Chapel Haven has raised funds for the overhaul -- and continues to do so -- through donations, including a $5 million grant from a family's foundation to create a replicable, sustainable employment model for clients.

The employment rate for people with disabilities is only 20 percent, compared with 70 percent for the general population.

Storz has said he'll form an advisory board comprised of professionals, employers and those from the disability field to dissect the issue of barriers to employment and build a model that can help those with disabilities everywhere.

Storz said many clients at Chapel Haven are the hardest workers who can be found -- and individuals employers can count on, because they'll never be late, rarely call out absent, and love having a purpose, as well as serving as good role models for others. The idea of creating an assisted living center for community members has been a dream of Storz for many years and is being made possible through a $10 million donation from the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, which also gave the $5 million for the employment program.

Chapel Haven will be among the few independent living schools in the country offering an age-in-place model.

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