Formerly Bollinger Enterprises and located on State Street in North Warren the mission of the organization is to provide “the most innovative vocational, life and social opportunities” to intellectually disabled individuals in Warren and Forest counties.

The effort that is culminating in work now started with a capital campaign in 2019.

Staff say that the renovations will not only enhance services for those already involved with Bollinger but also expand who the organization will be able to serve.

“All of these improvements that are being funded by our donors will truly help us better meet the needs of the individuals we now serve and to provide for any future individuals that may require our services and have more physical challenges,” Kimberlee Nowell, program manager at the Bollinger campus, said.

“In the past, we were not able to accommodate these individuals, but now with the renovations we can look to the future of serving more individuals with a wider range of challenges in Warren County and that’s exciting news for us and for many families in the area.”

The campus has two main buildings. Work on 48 N. State St. began in March and includes general improvements such as lighting, painting and flooring repairs as well as an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant restroom, lockers, a kitchenette and elevator work.

“Updates inside the facility at 44 State St. will create a conference room close to the main entrance, new programming areas including a computer center and area to view multimedia, a multi-purpose room to enhance staff training, new lighting, and a fresher environment with new flooring, lockers, and paint,” Mary Cuneo, the Institute’s director of strategic communication, said.

Other improvements included an ADA-compliant restroom with ceiling track lifts to transfer clients, more windows, a medication administration area, laundry room and kitchen space.

Currently, clients load and unload in a space that directly abuts State Street and entrance improvements will create an off-street parking area to enhance safety as well as other handicap accessible items.

There remains about $100,000 to raise in order to complete the work but staff are hopeful that funds raised through Warren Gives can push closer to that toal.

In addition to significant funding contributed by the Institute and various community foundations and family funds, a total of $300,000 has been raised just from individual donations.

Cuneo said the facility will feel more welcoming once the work is complete and that they hope to add programming not possible now as much of the facility is not ADA compliant.

Nowell said the end result of the work space is that improved accessibility as well as “really improving the work spaces.”