We had a great turnout on Monday, February 8th, at our Bremen Open House. Several people faced harsh winter weather to stop by and show their support. Staff, the Executive Team, Board Members, and community members alike gathered in the main room to not only celebrate this new location but also to learn and ask questions. Torie Kelley, Corvilla's Art Coordinator, explained the processes of the CNC machine and ceramics in the side activity room while Joe Paris, Director of Day Services, and Mickayla Shumaker, Team Manager, introduced themselves and Corvilla to new families and neighbors.
Bremen Day Program has allowed for Corvilla to expand into Marshall County ready to serve Bremen and the surrounding area with services for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Prior to this new location, several Marshall County families had to transport their loved ones into St. Joseph or Elkhart Counties to obtain services. Lori Hundt, with Bremen Community Schools and Corvilla Board Member, stated, "I am so excited to have Corvilla in Bremen. We are very blessed to be able to keep our adults in the community that they have become accustomed to. Mickayla Shumaker will do a wonderful job! She knows most of the clients from being a peer mentor in Bremen High School's Applied Skills classroom." Corvilla's CEO Rick Thompson reflects, "With over 60 years of experience in providing life-enhancing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are so very excited to now offer options for our friends in Marshall County. Our new location in Bremen will serve as a hub for Day, Employment, and Supported Living services. The community has been so welcoming and we are looking forward to establishing strong relationships with our new neighbors."
Our new location in Bremen will serve as a hub for Day, Employment, and Supported Living services. The community has been so welcoming and we are looking forward to establishing strong relationships with our new neighbors. - Rick Thompson
Renovations
The building that will now serve as Corvilla's Bremen Day Program is owned by St. Dominic Catholic Church and served as a Hobby Shop for several years. Several renovations needed to take place in order to provide services. Sergio Aguayo, with St. Dominic Catholic Church, and his crew of volunteers helped in the renovation while Bremen Family Martial Arts, with the help of Larry Maxson, raised funds with their Board Break-a-Thon in support of the renovations. The transformation is amazing.
We would like to extend our gratitude to St. Dominic Catholic Church, Sergio, and the church volunteers who helped with renovations. We would also like to thank Corvilla's Maintenance Manager, Mark Roberts, and his assistant Rickey Wooldridge for their hard work building in offices and painting. And to our amazing employees who helped in every aspect of the Open House.
Sergio Aguayo - St. Dominic Catholic Church maintenance
John Starsevich - church member
Mike Brown - church member
Dan St. Germain - church member
Lori Hundt - Bremen Community Schools and Corvilla Board Member
Susan & Jim White – Jim is superintendent of Bremen Highschool
Mel Kuntz – friend
We would also like to thank those who gave donations:
Steve Burkins – donated cabinets
Maax USA Corporation - Tom Chang – Accessible shower
Countertops by Tri-County Woodworking out of Wakarusa
Bremen Family Martial Arts
Multiple financial donations