ROOM TO GROW
Independent Living Center christens new downtown facility
TROY, N.Y. » The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley celebrated Tuesday the opening of its newly renovated headquarters in downtown Troy.
The well-attended gathering — which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening reception for a client- created mixedmedia art project — marked completion of the center’s multi-year, multi-phase $900,000 renovation of 15-17 3rd St. Event-goers had the opportunity to tour the space, which includes offices, a wellness center and the first-floor art gallery.
The renovations made the building more accessible and sustainable, allowing the organization to expand and better serve more than 1,500 people each year who seek support for a variety of physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities.
Significant investments toward the project came from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which awarded a total of $500,000, as well as $269,500 from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program. An initiative established by Governor Cuomo, NICIP invests in
projects throughout the state that will improve or maintain the quality, efficiency, accessibility and reach of nonprofit human services organizations providing direct services to New Yorkers.
RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said at Tuesday’s event that this project complements the work her department does in providing greater opportunity for New Yorkers to live independently and thrive in their communities. Fur-
thermore, the money awarded, she said, was critical to the building having a new life.
“That’s what we want to be able to do, to ensure that things like this that are real pillars in these communities are allowed to stay here for the next 20 years,” Visnauskas said.
Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley executive director Denise Figueroa gave thanks during Tuesday’s event to those who helped the organization reach this great achieve- ment.
“We really appreciate the support we’ve had,” she said. “I just thank you all for your support. All along the way, we have been able to get community support, foundation support, individual donations that made this possible. This has really been a strong community and government partnership.”
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden congratulated the organization on the new facility and what it says about the group’s future.
“This is terrific space for the center, for their program,” he said Tuesday. “It’s great to see they have a home of this character, this magnitude, and I can only dream about the programs they will we able to run here.”
“Places like this are absolutely part of our mission and our core value, how do we help those who need help,” said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin during the ceremony. “We’re very happy to support this organization, this group that helps so many people. … We look forward to many more years of helping each other and growing and doing what we can to help.”
More information about the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley is available online at www.ilchv.org.