Unity House will benefit from a $50,000 State and Municipal Facilities grant secured by Assemblyman John Lemondes.
Lemondes was at Unity House’s 217 Genesee Street facility in Auburn to present a ceremonial check to the not-for-profit. Lemondes told Unity House staff that he was happy to present them with funding from the competitive grant.
“A lot of people are after this money but I’m really glad that we’re able to make it happen and give it to [Unity House].”
The money will allow Unity House to make necessary repairs and upgrades to its 31 Market Street facility. The property, erected in the 1800s and donated to Unity House in 2001, has been home to the organization’s Day Habilitation program since 2004.
Totaling $72,500, the project consists of three parts. First, $25,000 will go to replace the building’s flat rubberized roof. The roof was installed in 2006 and has a life expectancy of 15 years. Second, $40,000 will be used to replace the building’s aging fire escape, replacing it with a wider one to be more accessible for those with mobility issues. Third, $7,500 will replace Formica countertops used for food preparation and programming with more durable granite ones.
The Day Hab program allows those with developmental disabilities to participate in a variety of activities such as cooking classes, music lessons, and exercise.
Liz Smith is Unity House’s CEO. Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, she expressed gratitude to the assemblyman, saying he’s the reason the not-for-profit applied for the funding.
“This summer, we invited [Assemblyman Lemondes] to 31 Market Street so that he could actually see the Day Hab services in action and we were able to take him around the building so he could meet the individuals that we’re supporting… During that time, he encouraged us [to apply].”
Smith added that the work at the 31 Market Street location is part of a larger initiative to increase accessibility throughout the organization’s multiple facilities.
Founded in Cayuga County in 1977, Unity House provides services to those with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders in Cayuga, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Seneca, Tioga, Tompkins, and Wayne Counties.
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