MANSFIELD — Richland Newhope staff and clients celebrated a renovation about two years in the making on Wednesday.
The Raintree residential facility at 721 Scholl Road hosted an open house to showcase renovations including larger resident bedrooms, a family visitation room and advanced tools for resident care.
Raintree is a care facility for adults with developmental disabilities that opened in 1981. It is operated by Richland Newhope — the Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“This is a collaborative effort,” said Richland Newhope superintendent Michele Giess. “I also want to make sure that I thank the men and women who live here and work here.
“It took almost two years to the day with a construction crew on site … everybody has been flexible and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
Jennifer Wagner, Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development member services manager, congratulated the Newhope team at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting.
“I can’t say enough about the exceptional staff and all they do for the residents,” she said. “Thank you for making this such a beautiful home for the beautiful souls that live here.”
Raintree living space expands by 3,000 square feet
Giess said Raintree is licensed for 27 residents and has about 30 staff members employed at the facility.
“We expanded living space by more than 3,000 square feet,” she said. “We have people who walk and use wheelchairs, and it was crowded previously. Now, they have the freedom to move around.”
The renovations also include an outdoor courtyard and new lift systems in residents’ bedrooms that make it easier to lift and lower patients out of their beds.
Troy Smith, manager of community education and special projects for Richland Newhope, said this is the largest improvement project the facility has seen since it opened.
“We’ve done little things, but never an undertaking this big,” Smith said. “We’re proud of it. Richland County is very good to the folks we serve.”
Richland Newhope supports more than 1,200 Richland County residents through its various programs. Newhope staff provide early intervention, transition services, day services, supported employment, resident living, therapy, and other family support programs.
Richland Newhope is on Facebook and online at rnewhope.org.
