WICHITA, Kan. – On Tuesday, March 7, Heartspring began the first step in expanding its services to meet the needs of children with special needs and their families with the Expanding Possibilities groundbreaking.

“Often times families move into cities that can best serve their needs,” said Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell said.  “Now, Wichita is better able to serve the many families who need Heartspring for services.”

 The demand for Heartspring’s services has grown significantly and its waitlists have stretched to months or even years. The Expanding Possibilities campus remodel and expansion is designed to meet the increases in demand. 

“Every single day we are forced to turn families away because we simply do not have the space to serve their children, but that’s all about to change, Heartspring President and CEO David Stupay said. “Today we start a new chapter of Heartspring as we break ground on a new lifeline for those that desperately need us.” 

The project consists of five major components:

        Pediatric/Autism Services Expansion

• Combines our autism and pediatric services program under one roof
• Opens up 90 new therapy slots per week in Pediatric Services
• Opens up 35 new therapy spots for Autism Services
• Creates six new therapy rooms and offices
• Construction timeline: six months

G10 Group Home Construction

• Features an open floor plan to foster student safety and independence
• Adds 12 new student bedrooms
• Adds 9,135 sq. ft. in additional living space
• Construction timeline: eight months

Cafeteria Remodel and Expansion

• The space and features are designed with students in mind
• Expands seating capacity from 56 to 84 people
• Construction timeline: six months

Group Home Remodel

• Homes will be updated to meet current students needs
• Includes all six on-campus homes
• Construction timeline: six months

Competitive Integrated Employment and Music Building

• Building designed and created specifically for the programs
• Creates space for three additional classrooms
• Phase Two of construction

“Today we are officially launching our Expanding Possibilities campaign,” Stupay said. “To build and renovate the spaces needed to increase our services will cost $5.5 million. We have built up our cash reserves over the last several years through the generous support of our donors, efficient operations and disciplined management of our resources. Our intention is to mobilize our stored resources to begin this much-needed work while fundraising to fill the gap and build back our reserves to ensure that our programs are sustainable well into the future.”

Phase one of the project is scheduled to finish in December 2017. For more information on the project go to www.heartspring.org/expandingpossibilities