Over 250 community members gathered to celebrate the Kersten Campus and Justin Coe Center. This significant day was about more than construction; we’re building a foundation for Keshet’s future where creating a community of belonging is the cornerstone of everything we do. You can see more pictures from the event here.
After months of meetings and focus groups, we met with the architects to begin determining the layout of spaces. The process is a little like a puzzle where we need to figure out how to best designate spaces that will work for us when we move in and for years to come. The architects will use this information to create the final plans for the community center.
Project managers and architects have held many focus groups about the building with staff, families and participants. One of the common themes is the need for a gymnasium in Keshet’s community center. Gyms, especially ones where you can play basketball, volleyball, rock climb and host Special Olympics games, need to be big. The solution is to raise the roof on the second floor of the building to accommodate a gymnasium that can bring Keshet’s programs to the next level.
It’s moving day for Keshet’s adult day program. GADOL will now take place in a temporary spot on the Kersten Campus until the new community center is ready to open. GADOL’s new location is converted office space that is brighter and more accessible than where we were before. There is also a wraparound balcony that will be perfect for gardening boxes in the spring and summer.
After an exhaustive search process, LCM Architects has been selected to design Keshet’s community center. LCM is headquartered in Chicago and is considered a leader in designing for accessibility that goes beyond just complying with laws. Their approach to universal design will lend to the usability and welcoming feel of our new home.
Scott Canel, Keshet parent and long-time supporter, knew it as soon as he saw it. The vacant Equinox building at 799 Central Avenue could be the perfect home for Keshet! The building and surrounding campus is located near MY Life houses, close to public transportation, integrated with other businesses and has enough space to grow. Today we closed on the property with the help of Scott Canel, Steven Insoft, Billy Mass, Mitchell Roth and Andrew Silver. It’s ours!
