Two nonprofits serving people with disabilities hosted a joint grand opening ceremony for their new neighboring offices.
Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) and Thresholds now occupy newly renovated office spaces at the Special Olympics of Michigan Unified Sports and Inclusion Center (SOMI), at 160 68th St. SW in Grand Rapids.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, May 12. Members of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce participated in the event.
“Our organizations serve similar individuals, and we were eager to join with Special Olympics and the other organizations that support those with disabilities,” said David Bulkowski, executive director, DAKC. “It is a community of nonprofits that can benefit from a common location and the proximity it offers to increase awareness of who we all are and what we do.”
DAKC’s new 8,600-square-foot space includes a home accessibility center and a showroom for people with disabilities; their families; and builders, planners and architects to experience the benefits of universally accessible space and state-of-the-art equipment.
The new space also features 24 offices, 16 additional workspaces, conference rooms, a coffee break area and storage space. Wolverine Building Group was the general contractor for the project.
Thresholds now has a 7,500-square-foot space with 14 offices, additional workspaces, two conference rooms, a kitchen and other gathering spaces. Erhardt Construction completed the project.
Both spaces were designed by Mathison | Mathison Architects.
“Our previous offices were in aging buildings that did not provide economical or efficient use of space,” said Jacquie Johnson, president and CEO of Thresholds. “We are thrilled not only with the location of our new office and our building partners, but also the room, beauty and natural light the building affords. We are extremely thankful to Mathison | Mathison Architects for their thoughtful and inspired design.”
DAKC and Thresholds join SOMI and six other organizations at the campus that focus on services for children and adults with disabilities.
Tim Hileman, president and CEO of SOMI, said the collection of organizations will “show the world the importance of community and inclusion — a campus where all gifts and all abilities are celebrated, a campus that will not only raise awareness but raise expectations.”
