Move that wall! Demo Day Marks New Phase for Adult Day Services Project

Move That Wall! Demo Day Marks New Phase for Adult Day Services Project

To shouts of “move that wall” from joyful program participants, three dignitaries used one really big excavator to demolish a screen wall at the future home of Adult Day Services, signifying a new phase in the two-year project.

Program participants and their families, donors and project partners, and Michener Elementary School neighbors gathered for Demo Day March 12, celebrating the final push of the $5.2 million Blessing Families, Enriching Lives capital campaign and the beginning of the construction phase.

Rendering of new Adult Day Services program building.

“We’re very, very excited about the success of our campaign,” says Wendy Glick, Catholic Charities executive director. “We never in a million years thought that we could raise the money as quickly as we’ve been able to do, but God has blessed us with the generosity of about 85 donors and family foundations that feel called to join in this ministry with us.”

Wendy says the campaign is within 80 percent of its overall goal and met the $750,000 motivational challenge offered by a matching grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The fundraising appeal will continue until construction begins later this spring.

Wendy Glick, Executive Director of Catholic Charities speaks with Bishop Carl A. Kemme and board member Fr. Daryl Befort.

The demolition fun got going after comments and prayers were offered by Wendy; The Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme, D.D., Bishop of Wichita and honorary campaign chair; and, Jeff Leonard, chairman of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors.

First, program participants peppered the wall with chalk balls. Then, Bishop Kemme, Jeff and Mary Jane Wooten, campaign co-chair and ADS family representative, each took their turn to knock down portions of the wall.

When it comes to ADS, Bishop Kemme says “it’s never been a challenge at all for me to support, to promote, and help in any way I can as bishop. A newly renovated building will serve this community in an even greater way for many, many years into the future.”

ADS is a vibrant community providing quality day programs for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and seniors coping with Alzheimer’s, dementia or loneliness.

When completed in spring 2021, the new ADS campus will provide a single location for program participants with more spacious program rooms, enhanced nursing facilities and accessible restrooms, and a large multi-purpose room for communal meals and activities. Sitting on 5.5 acres near a quiet neighborhood in north Wichita, the outdoor space will include a picnic area, walking path and a recreational area with accessible equipment.

The new facility will allow Catholic Charities to nearly double our capacity to serve program participants and their families.

Adult Day Services Has Openings Now

If you have a loved one who would benefit from our quality day program, please call (316) 942-2008.