Business Connections 2023

6 August 2023 Business Connections adno=3899001-1 Supported Employment • Recreation • After School Care • Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Transportation • Independent Living Helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live their lives to the fullest. Venice• North Port Port Charlotte • Bradenton lovelandcenter.org 941-493-0016 The Loveland Players Theatrical Training Program The Loveland Store Visual Arts Training Program The Hearty Kitchen Academy Cooking Training Program 61 YEARS IN SERVICE Adult Day Training Special Programs very day the staff at the Loveland Center's four locations works hard to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live their lives to the fullest. That mission is literally about to hit home. Loveland is on the verge of completing a project wherein some of the people it serves will have an opportunity to become homeowners. Through the program, participants won't live in a house that someone else owns. They'll own it and control the financial aspects of it, as well as who comes in and out. Patrick Guerin, President and CEO of the Loveland Center, says they are about 75 percent of the way toward reaching that goal. On Aug. 3 the organization received zoning approval to move forward with this "Home of Your Own" project. They have acquired about 85 percent of the funding needed to accomplish their goal. Loveland was established in 1962. Guerin came on board in the leadership post almost six years ago. The Home of Your Own program is particularly special for Guerin, who says he's been involved in this field most of his life. His two brothers have disabilities and he learned a lot from his father, who also worked in the field. "It's helping people live independently and own their own home," Guerin said. "It's going to be something that sets Loveland apart from the rest of the country, that we're developing this purposely built, integrated community that is going to support individuals with disabilities to live as equals in the community while also supporting workforce housing and seniors to live in the same community." Guerin says when it's complete it will be the only one of its kind in the country and he hopes this community will become a model for what residential services for individuals with disabilities are throughout the country in the future. E Having a home shelters you. Owning your home empowers you.

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