Mrvan visits Opportunity Enterprises’ respite center construction site; officials tout $310,000 in additional funds

Almost a year after Opportunity Enterprises broke ground on its new $6.7 million Lakeside Respite Center, officials returned to share the progress and tout recently received federal funding.

Congressman Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, toured the Lakeside property with the staff and board Thursday, greeting the facility’s clients, who smiled, shook hands and even shared a couple hugs with the legislator.

Mrvan recently helped secure $310,000 for technology and equipment for the disability services organization as part of the $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law Dec. 29 by President Joe Biden.

OE has planned a 55-room respite center on the 158-acre site on Lake Eliza in Valparaiso.

Marc Ruiz, who co-chaired the capital campaign with his wife Tracy, said they were initially tapped to raise more than $4 million but as the project progress that figure climbed to $6.7 million. The facility will now include a custom-designed accessible treehouse by Treehouse Masters in Washington. Access to the treehouse will be a direct walkway from the new building to the treehouse.

“We are also true believers and understand the importance of respite. It is a very, very important service that is going to be expanded dramatically by this new respite center,” Ruiz said. The couple have a child who is a client.

He said the funding secured by Mrvan will help provide equipment for the new facility.

“It’s going to fill that center will all the stuff that will make it a great experience for the kids and adults,” Ruiz said.

Opportunity Enterprises broke ground on the project in May 2022. Almost a year later, foundations have been poured and the respite center is set to open in the summer.

Neil Samahon, OE president and CEO, commended Mrvan’s commitment to the underserved in his district.

“Your commitment to the individuals underserved in the community certainly goes recognized, not only in your roll today, but as North Township trustee. So I say to you: Thanks, Frank,” Samahon said.

Samahon said the ultimate goal is for the property to become an accessible destination with trails and other activities — maybe even a zip-line — that will create opportunities differently abled individuals both at OE and throughout the community otherwise would not be able to experience.

John Freyek, chairman of the OE board, called the work on the new facility a labor of love.

“It’s a place where caretakers who spend 24 hours a day seven days a week taking care of their loved ones can take their family members … so they can recharge and be the best person they can be for their loved one,” Freyek said.

The new facility will have 55 rooms for caregivers and will offer a starting place for respite activities that bring clients off-site for outings like sporting events.

Suja Pati works at OE. Her son Samuel, 25, is also a client. They’ve been coming to OE for about seven years. From the perspective of a caregiver and as a staff member, she said her son absolutely loves the respite time he gets.

“He loves walking, playing the piano,” she said. The one-on-one time her son gets with staff while in respite also is important.

“They love the socialization part,” Pati said, adding it also gives family members time to take care of other things.

Deb Wilson of Hebron was at the center with her adult son Taylor.

Taylor’s two favorite days are the days he spends at OE in respite care. It provides him a chance to socialize with his friends and experience some independence.

“It’s so much fun,” Taylor said.

Those couple nights a week of respite care also gives Wilson and her husband a much-needed break. She said there are no local family members to lend a hand. Wilson said she does not know what they would do without the access to respite care.

“We’re really excited. The best part is it is closer to us. The other house is quite a distance,” Wilson said.

Mrvan thanked the families for sharing their respite care experiences. He said he learned Thursday providing respite care is a mark of a community who cares. As a member of Congress Mrvan said he is supposed to do everything he can to find funding for projects that have an impact such as OE’s respite care facility.

“What we are supposed to do is find funding for projects that give back to the community,” Mrvan said.