Racker Centers Breaks Ground for new Learning Center and Renovated Building
Franziska Racker Centers Board President, Campaign Co-Chairs, and Executive Director collectively dug a gold shovel into the dirt on Thursday, May 19th. This marks the official groundbreaking of their “Making Room” capital campaign project. In attendance were donors of the agency, Board members, staff and families that are served. Leading in to the event, people gathered for the annual “Special Friends” brunch held to recognize donors. Stories were shared by Ann Costello, daughter of Dr. Franziska Racker, as well as family members who’s loved ones have benefited from Racker services.
The building project goals include: Creation of a new Learning Center that will offer unique trainings to staff, families and community professionals; reconfiguring and renovating the preschool which requires complete asbestos abatement and a new heating and cooling system to replace the ancient ceiling radiant heating system; and expanding space for the agency’s community based programs including both the Family Resource program and the Service Coordination program.
The Margaret Gibson special education preschool, located at 3226 Wilkins Road in Ithaca is part of the early childhood educational programs of Racker Centers, The facility is a key component to special education services in Tompkins County, serving over 90 children who attend preschool and daycare programs where children with disabilities integrate with typical children.
In addition to the seven classrooms at the preschool, the agency’s clinical therapies and community based services are administered from this campus for all three counties. Preschool and daycare classes, as well as offices and therapy rooms in the preschool building will be relocated throughout the duration of the construction which is schedule to take one year. Other administrative offices for the agency will remain in the south end of the complex which is in a separate addition to the older part of the building.
All Community Based services and staff will relocate to the second floor of the Signworks building on West Seneca Street in Ithaca, which is just upstairs from the Centers’ current clinic site. In addition, Dan Brown, Associate Executive Director and Jody Scriber, Director of Clinical and Educational Services have been working with partners throughout the community to temporarily relocate classrooms. Announcement of the relocation sites will be forthcoming.
The “Making Room” capital campaign was launched publicly in the fall of 2010. To date, Racker Centers which serves individuals with disabilities and their families throughout Cortland, Tompkins and Tioga counties has raised $2.6 million of the $3.5 million goal.
To learn more about Franziska Racker Centers and the “Making Room” capital campaign visit www.RackerCenters.org or call 607-272-5891 ext. 234
Franziska Racker Centers began serving the Finger Lakes region in 1948 as the Cerebral Palsy Association by offering some of the first support of its kind outside of an institutional setting. The organization has grown in size and scope from the Cerebral Palsy Association, to The Special Children’s Center to the Franziska Racker Centers in honor and memory of Dr Franziska Racker. The agency has evolved to include over 26 sites, employ more than 700 people and serves over 2,800 individuals and their families throughout Tompkins, Cortland and Tioga counties annually. We are inspired by the vision of our founding families: that all people with disabilities will be valued members of a welcoming and supportive community. www.RackerCenters.org .
Groundbreaking Photo: From left to right
Kirsten Anthony - Daycare teacher, Michael – student, Mary Hause – Special Education teacher, Bob Bantle – Campaign Co-Chair, Georg – student, Matty – student, Phyllis Joyce- President of the Board, Roger Sibley – Executive Director, Margaret (Gibby) Gibson- Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair , Dave Dunlop – Campaign Co-Chair, Chloe -student, Sheryl Edwards – Speech Language, Bill Goodrich- President of LeChase Construction, Dick Schneider- Vice President LeChase, Patrick Schloupt – Special Education teacher, Will – student, Miles Cigolle- Holt Architects.
Speakers at lunch in order of appearance:
Bob Bantle, Tompkins Trust Company and Campaign Co-Chair, Ann Costello, Tom and Betsy Salm, Meg Hardie-Keilbach, Jessica Ryan, Roger Sibley, Franziska Racker Centers Executive Director.
