DMR Family Respite Center Opens
(L-R) DMR Northwest Regional Director George Moore, consumer Dawn Veretto of Torrington, and DMR Commissioner Peter H. O'Meara cut the ribbon during the recent grand opening ceremonies at the Torrington Family Respite Center.
The bright sunshine only enhanced the smiles of two thirteen-year-olds who for the first time visited the Department of Mental Retardation's (DMR) new Torrington Family Respite Center, which recently held its grand opening for families in DMR's Northwest Region. Hali Stajos of Winsted and Kimberly Sczygiel of Barkhamsted are both looking forward to their first weekend at the center. For now, they received the grand tour to see where they would be staying, meeting the staff and enjoying the hors d'oeuvres.
"I am always looking for ways to let Kimberly develop new relationships," said Darlene Sczygiel, Kimberly's mom." This is a wonderful place, very comfy, and I'm sure Kim will love it."
"This respite center gives our families the much needed rest that they deserve and our consumers a chance to develop new friendships and enjoy an experience that will last a lifetime," said DMR Commissioner Peter H. O'Meara. "You only have to look at the smiling faces here today to realize the value of this facility."
The Respite Center is part of the Torrington Regional Center that serves people with developmental disabilities, and is funded by the DMR with no costs to the families. Already dubbed "Camp Respite" by the consumers, the center has been operating since the fall, providing temporary relief for over 100 families. Under the leadership of Commissioner O'Meara, it is the sixth DMR respite center to open in the state, with three more to open by January 2003.
The Torrington Family Respite Center will provide 24-hour supervised respite care, support and recreational activities. The Center accommodates up to six individuals at a time who may have a full range of challenges, and is available to all DMR families in the Northwest Region. For more info call Maria Lyman, Family Respite Center Coordinator, at 203-805-7431.
