March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 43 F

Providence Center Breaks Ground For Its Jean Bradbury Building Renovations In Arnold

Providence Center Groundbreaking
Providence Center Groundbreaking
Pictured from left to right are: Chuck Goodman, Tricia Baldwin, Peggy Baldwin, and Chuck Coble. (Photo: Laura’s Eyes Photography)

Providence Center, a non-profit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, held a ‘groundbreaking’ ceremony for its Jean Bradbury Building (JBB) in Arnold laste week.  The ceremony marked the end of its first-ever capital campaign and the beginning of a year-long renovation of the site.  JBB will be undergoing extensive renovations to modernize the building and make the program sites more accessible to its participants.

At the ceremony, it was announced that Providence Center has been awarded a prestigious Kresge Challenge Grant from The Kresge Foundation.  In noting its significance, Tricia Baldwin, a leadership donor to the campaign and member of the Capital Campaign Committee, stated, “This is a tremendous accomplishment from a very respected foundation.  Kresge only supports projects where they believe they can actually make a difference in the lives touched by their funding.  So we are incredibly grateful for their confidence in the project and everyone that came together to make it happen.”

President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation Rip Rapson wrote Providence Center about the award, telling the organization, “The [Kresge] Foundation supports your commitment to provide opportunities for low-income developmentally disabled adults.  We are particularly impressed with your effort to provide greater access to programs, including specialized services to severely disabled clients and your dedication to reducing barriers to transportation and increasing opportunities for clients to participate in the broader community.”

The groundbreaking ceremony marked the successful conclusion of Providence Center’s first-ever capital campaign.  More than 400 donors, including individuals, foundations, and businesses, contributed more than $2.1 million to update the oldest of Providence Center’s five program sites.

Providence Center Executive Director Chuck Coble thanked all of the donors that made the renovations possible.  “Because of the extraordinary men and women of Providence Center, five years ago we undertook our first-ever capital campaign to renovate our oldest program site.  JBB needed it and our participants deserved it.  This renovation is about much more than bricks and mortar.  This is about providing positive impacts in the lives we serve today and those that will count on us tomorrow.  Thank you for investing in us and in the lives of these extraordinary men and women that count on the programs we provide.  Thank you for believing and for giving to those that you may or may not have a direct connection.”

Providence Center Board of Director’s President Chuck Goodman added, “I have no doubt that the new JBB will be everything and more for those that walk through its doors each day.”

BuilderGuru Contracting and Gardiner and Gardiner Contracting were chosen as the builder on the project after a competitive bidding process.  BuilderGuru was the builder on Providence Center’s Cloverleaf building in Millersville.  As Coble noted in the program, “BuilderGuru knows Providence Center and has supported us even when we didn’t have building projects in the pipeline.”  A member of BuilderGuru owner Ben Harries’ extended family is a Providence Center client.

Providence Center, a non-profit organization based in Anne Arundel County, operates five facilities which provide care and training in programs such as Horticulture, Woodshop, and Pottery throughout the county.  It meets the growing needs of nearly 500 individuals through an array of services and supports, including medical supervision and care, psychological assistance, skills training for activities of daily living, vocational training and job placement as well as retirement services.

The mission of Providence Center is to provide services that allow individuals with disabilities to enjoy increased self-determination in leading a more independent, valuable and functioning role in society. These support services are individually designed and professionally managed to enable these individuals to exercise higher levels of control over their lives.

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