On October 26th, ADAPT Community Network’s Lake Street Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a momentous occasion for families, staff and friends.
Lake Street is one of ADAPT’s long-standing residential facilities, providing 24-hour care for adults who require heightened supervision, support and resources for all of their needs. Lake Street provides medical and behavioral staffing, clinical and direct-care services, professionally developed and supervised activities and a variety of therapies. The residential staff includes 50 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), management staff, residential care specialists, nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, a social worker and a doctor. There are 22 adults who call Lake Street home.
The celebration kicked off with a live DJ and delicious food, prepared by the residence’s cook, Sulltana Hoxha, who has been preparing meals here for the past 12 years. Over 50 family members, staff, individuals and special guest Mrs. Nicholaas were present. Mrs. Nicholaas was part of the founders who broke ground 25 years ago to build Lake street along with Edward R. Matthews, ADAPT’s CEO and Al Rutsky, former longstanding Board Member.
“What’s wonderful here at Lake Street is the love and compassion that the staff have for the individuals. No one is simply here because of their salary. This is a calling and the Management team brings continuous fresh ideas.” said Sonia Fletcher, Administrative Assistant, who has worked at Lake Street for 6 years.
Lake Street’s new Director Chantal Wibecan talked about the team and her vision for the facility. “The key is that we find people to work here who have the passion to take care of medically fragile individuals. We are a family. When our team feels good, our individuals feel more at ease. That’s very important to us. We form true connections between the staff and the individuals,” said Chantal. “If I had to describe Lake Street and the work with one word, it would be ‘magical.’ It is hard but rewarding work – and we work as team with the individuals’ families who are also part of the decision-making.”
The party was also attended by ADAPT leadership Mariette McBride, SVP, Strategic Initiatives and Integrated Solutions and Michael Matrone, Director of Compliance who both were directors of Lake Street during the past 25 years. Mariette noted: “So many people have had a great impact on Lake Street and some of them are no longer with us. I believe that tonight they are smiling down on us for still taking care of each other and people here at Lake Street.”
