Washington Office of Voices for Independence/TRPIL Ready for Grand Opening
By Lois Thompson
"I hate to keep using that word," said Steve Johnson; however, the word – "interactive" – is so appropriate that overuse is understandable. Johnson was describing what he expects from the new building, housing both Voices for Independence and Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL), scheduled to open December 8 at 42 W. Maiden St. in Washington, PA.
The opening will be the culmination of several years' worth of renovations, and Johnson, director of marketing for TRPIL in Washington and the affiliated VFI in both Washington and Erie, is determined that people see the facility in operation. "We want this to be a full-fledged grand opening for the public to take part in; we want it to be an interactive experience." Part of the interaction will take place in the Internet Café, which Johnson said will have multiple computers with staff who can meet with consumers when they come in to use the internet and the computers.
"Sometimes consumers don't have access to a computer, or they may have a smartphone but they can't print. We can help them with all of that in-house, or maybe help them learn new skills. On the day of the grand opening, we're going to have people taking care of their own business, and learning new programs, so visitors can see what it's like in there."
“Renovations on the former YWCA building include the large, historic auditorium, which has been heavily remodeled. However, the archway that bordered the stage was preserved, and the contractors were able to obtain the original crown molding, re-doing everything with the original colors to preserve the history of the YWCA. The black steel bars and railings in the balcony, which go three-fourths of the way around the auditorium, have been maintained. It’s very modern when you walk in, but there remain traces of the building’s history.”
He said the Assistive Technology department has a lending library, as well as a 3D printer that can print such items as a handle with three hooks, capable of carrying three grocery bags at a time, "so someone who doesn't have the dexterity to carry multiple bags at a time, can now hook them onto the device and pick them all up with one handle."
Another area of interaction will be the Wellness Center, which Johnson said will have a number of pieces of accessible equipment, along with dedicated staff to assist. "We will have live demonstrations at this time. I want visitors to see it in use, see where all the time and effort went – not just in terms of purchasing and setting up the equipment, but rather, 'Here are the lives we're changing every day.' And it's all free."
Johnson continued, "We are really looking forward to this; we can finally introduce it to the public at large. There's a different element when you finally open your doors, and people can just walk in and say, 'I heard about you, let me learn more.' We're hoping people in Washington and surrounding counties take note of what we're doing and see that it's something special. I want to be able to help as many people as we can. If people have disability questions, if they need something – we want their first thought to be, 'Let's call Voices for Independence.'"
For more information, call 724-223-5115 or visit vficil.org.