Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc. celebrated a “topping off” ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 5 that drew a big crowd and represents a milestone in construction of our new Schleifer Adult Independent Living (SAIL) center.
Students, parents, staff and friends signed the construction beam, which was on display in our courtyard leading up to the event. At the event, the crowd cheered as our team from S/L/A/M Collaborative secured the beam to a crane and hoisted into place on the very top of the new, four-story building under construction.
The event drew some wonderful news coverage!
WTNH News Channel 8 was on hand and covered the event. Click here:
Paul S., a community member who has been at Chapel Haven for 30-plus years, was interviewed by Channel 8 and did a great job talking about why lifelong care is a primary part of Chapel Haven’s mission.
Publisher Michael Bingham, who has launched a new magazine dedicated to business news called NewHavenBiz, was also on hand and wrote this story. Click here to read the story!
Staff and adults at Chapel Haven Schleifer Center have been watching with daily amazement as a crane drops 150 tons of structural steel in place to form the shell of the new Schleifer Adult Independent Living (SAIL) Universal building.
The building is literally rising into the sky!
The topping off ceremony, in the building construction field, is a builders’ rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its construction. It has since come to mean more generally finishing the structure of the building.
The Schleifer Adult Independent Living (SAIL) building is a state-of-the-art, four-story 48,500 SF residential, community and engagement building which is designed for residents to age in place. This new building will be universal in design and layout, and will be intergenerational, where adults with disabilities can flourish into their senior years in a vibrant and non-institutional setting.
Chapel Haven has been implementing a $41.5 million campus transformation with the design-build team from the S/L/A/M Collaborative.
Phase 1 of Chapel Haven’s expansion is now complete and features:
- A new, 32,500-square-foot residential and classroom building to house Chapel Haven’s REACHprogram, which for 46 years has helped adults with cognitive and social disabilities learn to
live independently. - A new outdoor courtyard, dubbed the “outdoor living room” by Chapel Haven’s design/build team, the S/L/A/M Collaborative.
- A new Welcome Center, punctuated by a curved glass lobby and reception space that immediately draws you in from the outdoor “living room.” A stone hearth and built-in seating provide a warm welcome to families.
Questions? Contact Catherine DeCarlo at (203) 397-1714, ext. 148 or Catherine
