by Jaimie Anderson-Hoyt, Director of The Mosaic Collaborative for Disabilities Public Policy and Practice
In May 2007, a group of residents and Board members from The Oaks, Mosaic's senior independent living facility in Menomonie, Wis., traveled half-way around the world to help
construct an accessible therapeutic center at Motivation Romania's summer camp in Varatec, Romania. Using architectural plans developed and donated by Lance Reeder of Reeder-Simodynes & Associates in Omaha, Neb., the
group partnered with Motivation Romania staff, local volunteers and a volunteer from Sweden, to bring the blueprints to life.
"Cristian Ispas has been instrumental in the cooperation between the two agencies," said Mike Schendel, one of the volunteers from The Oaks. Cristian Ispas is the founder and director of Motivation Romania. "When we arrived, there were already concrete pillars in the ground for the structure to be built upon," Schendel said.
Over the course of eight days, this group was able to complete the exterior framing and the first-floor interior walls for the two-story building. The remaining construction is being completed by Motivation Romania staff and local contractors.
The new therapeutic center will be ready for campers next summer, and will provide a quality space where children and adults with disabilities receive occupational and physical therapies.
The therapeutic center is a great example of what 12 people from three countries can accomplish, showing that Mosaic's mission knows no boundaries.
