MEETING A MILESTONE
While Lifesteps will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Butler Program Center with an open house and celebration Thursday, its president said much more than a structure is being recognized.
“It's a building, but it's about what happens inside the bricks and mortar. The community made an investment in us and they are getting a return on that investment,” said Karen Sue Owens, president and CEO of Lifesteps.
“We are celebrating the 25th Butler Program Center anniversary,” said Owens. “We have been providing programs and services to the community for nearly 100 years. We were honored 25 years ago, thanks to the support of the community.”
The Butler center was dedicated May 31, 1991, following the “Building the Spirit” capital campaign which raised more than $1 million to assist in the construction of the center. The campaign allowed the agency, which was then part of Easter Seals, to begin to centralize its Butler County programs into one building. Construction began in 1988, and the building was dedicated May 31, 1991.
Owens credits former president and CEO Daniel Musko as the driving force behind the center's capital campaign and construction.
“He provided the vision and the leadership for the Butler Program Center,” said Owens.
Today, the building at the corner of Eberhart and New Castle roads, is home to early care and education integrated child care and preschool, basic education and skills training for adults with intellectual disabilities, adult day health services for seniors and support for the regional activities in Western Pennsylvania.
“Daily we serve in this center 160 individuals, children, adults and seniors,” said Owens.
The two-story building has 22,000 square feet on two floors and houses 65 staffers. Owens said at one point Lifesteps rented out part of the second floor, but the expansion of programs has not only filled the formerly rented space but sent staffers concerned with program administration to two other sites.
“The organization has grown because the needs have grown. We have to meet needs,” said Owens. “We provide programs and services in 10 counties. We have 51 group homes including nine in Butler County.”
Over the last 25 years, the location has been the cornerstone of programs that have served 100,000 children, adults and seniors in Butler and surrounding counties.
“A lot of people don't realize how large the organization is,” said Owens.
Programs include early intervention for children from birth to age five to find developmental delays at an early age.
Owens said, “Every dollar spent on early intervention saves $7 in costs later on.”
“In Butler County we screen 1,500 children a year. It's a great peace of mind for the parents and helps caregivers know what the child needs,” said Owens.
“The staff at Lifesteps has become like a second family to my toddler. As a mom, there is nothing more important than knowing that my child is safe and well taken care of while I am at work. Knowing that she is well loved on top of that is the reason Lifesteps is for us,” said Tonya Blackann of Butler the parent of a child served by Lifesteps.
Other programs include early education centers offering child care, preschool and summer discovery for children of every ability; a medically monitored day program for older adults; and programs and services for adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities including behavioral support services, adult training facilities, community homes and life sharing.
“We look to that for structured activities to support disabilities. I'm very proud of the staff doing specialized work. It's a dedicated and professional staff that works here,” said Owens.
She said Lifesteps started in 1923 as the Butler County Crippled Children Society. It then became a part of the Easter Seal Society before becoming an independent nonprofit organization serving children, families and adults in need.
“It's important to be able to serve the community and meet any need the community has,” said Owens.
WHAT: Lifesteps Butler Program Center anniversary celebrationWHEN: Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. open house and refreshments, 1 p.m. ceremonyWHERE: 383 New Castle RoadINFO: For more information, call Lifesteps at 1-800-225-1010 or visit www.lifesteps.net.
